About this course

Help protect your farm from weeds, pests and diseases

Machinery, tools and equipment can carry weeds, pests and diseases from one paddock, farm or region to another. This course will teach you simple and practical ways to check and clean machinery and equipment to help prevent the spread of biosecurity risks.

You’ll learn how to:

  • understand how weeds, pests and diseases can spread through contaminated machinery and equipment
  • identify biosecurity risks when inspecting machinery and equipment
  • carry out a formal inspection for soil, plant material and other contaminants
  • understand where and how to safely clean machinery and equipment
  • choose suitable equipment and locations for cleaning.

By following the right steps, you can help reduce the spread of weeds, pests and diseases and play an important role in protecting Australian agriculture.

Is this course right for me?

Before registering, check that this course suits you. You can complete this course in one day in our face-to-face training or over 12 weeks online.

Face-to-face course (1 day): You’ll need to be at least 16 years old and comfortable completing practical tasks. This includes lifting and carrying equipment and being able to bend, kneel, crouch or stand for extended periods.

Online course (12 weeks): You’ll need to be at least 16 years old and have basic computer skills. You’ll also need access to a computer and a mobile phone so you can take photos and videos and upload them to the online learning platform for assessment.

If you’re involved in moving machinery or equipment between paddocks, farms or regions and want to improve your biosecurity practices, click on the register now button.

At a glance:

Location: Statewide
Course duration: 1 day workshop or 12 weeks online
Start date: Multiple intakes
Number of units: 1
Indicative fees: $499 GST-free

Fee free to eligible applicants
Accredited Course: Yes

Details

On successful completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  • select and use the equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for inspection and cleaning
  • select appropriate inspection and cleaning sites
  • inspect and clean machinery and vehicles
  • apply safe work practices
  • take samples of contamination
  • dispose of waste materials
  • record cleaning history and inspection results.

$499 GST-free

Fee free to eligible applicants.

For more information contact a skills training coordinator in your area here

Face to face

  • Understanding the threat of weeds
  • Reducing the risk of spreading weeds through job planning
  • Weed recognition / identification
  • Formal inspection of machinery and plant
  • Consideration of location of machinery and plant
  • Recording and reporting
  • Associated legislation
  • Collecting and disposing of samples from machinery

Online

6 online modules comprised of a tutorial and a quiz:

  • Module 1 - WHS
  • Module 2 - Regulation and Legislation
  • Module 3 - Weeds, pests and diseases
  • Module 4 - Chemical use
  • Module 5 - Machinery inspection
  • Module 6 - Machinery cleaning

After the webinar there will be five (5) assignments that are to be completed and submitted online.

Face to face/blended:

  • A wide range of inspection and cleaning materials are provided, as well as a full colour reference manual to take home.
  • This course is delivered using indoor and outdoor instruction.

Online

This version of Machinery Hygiene has been developed to allow participants to complete this unit without the need to travel to a face to face training location. It consists of a self-paced online component divided into six bite-sized modules.

Participants must:

  • Be 16 years of age or older.

Delivery Mode Requirements:

  • Face-to-Face Workshop (1 Day): Have the physical capability to undertake outdoor practical tasks, including lifting and carrying cleaning equipment, as well as bending, kneeling, crouching, or standing for extended periods during machinery inspections.
  • Online Course (12 Weeks): Have access to a computer with internet capability, basic computer skills, and a mobile phone or camera to capture and upload photos and video evidence of machinery inspections to the online portal.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Capability Requirements

To complete this course successfully, participants will need:

  • Reading: Interpreting biosecurity inspection checklists, machinery cleaning procedures, and safety data sheets for sanitizing agents.
  • Writing: Completing formal machinery inspection logs, biosecurity declaration forms, and cleaning verification records.
  • Numeracy: Performing basic calculations for diluting washdown detergents/chemicals, measuring water pressure/flow rates, and tracking cleaning times.
  • Oral Communication & Hearing: Communicating effectively with instructors and farm managers, reporting biosecurity risks, and following safety directions on active washdown pads.
  • Digital Literacy: Basic computer and smartphone skills to navigate the online learning platform, complete digital assessments, and record media evidence ( photos and videos) of inspection routines.

This course is mapped to the following national units of competency:

AHCBIO203 Inspect and clean machinery, tools and equipment to preserve biosecurity.



Additional Information

For information on students rights and responsibilities, and the Tocal College Code of Practice see Industry qualification student policies.



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