AHC40122 Certificate IV in Agriculture

In order to achieve this qualification, students must complete twelve (12) units made up of one (1) core unit and eleven (11) elective units.

The electives chosen must include:

• a minimum of four (4) competencies from Group A
• five (5) competencies from group A or B
• a maximum of 2 Other units from here or elsewhere in Cert II, III or IV.

You must complete 12 units of study to complete the course. Details of the available units are provided in the Student handbook.

Graduates often gain positions as senior farmhands and stationhands, or overseers, on properties around NSW and throughout Australia. Some are employed in agribusiness such as rural merchandise stores and stock and station agencies. Others may find work with Local Lands Services or consultancy firms or become self employed as contractors or service providers. Go to our page on careers or refer to the Tocal College Prospectus (PDF) for more career prospects available to students following graduation.

Completion of this course can also give you credit towards some university degrees, particularly if the AHC50122 Diploma in Agriculture is completed concurrently online.

Students must have a Certificate III in Agriculture or equivalent. Students who have done Year 12 Agriculture and/or Primary Industries AND have sound practical skills and significant industry experience and knowledge may qualify for direct entry into the course. Significant experience is normally equivalent to working one year, full-time on a farm that is able to provide experience in a wide range of work.

One year, full-time.

The course is delivered at Tocal College, which has up-to-date training facilities and equipment, as well as commercial and demonstration farm enterprises including beef, dairy, sheep, horses, poultry and cropping.

These enterprises invest in the latest technologies such as individual cow activity and health monitors, irrigation scheduling, and soil moisture probes; GPS / autosteer tractors and variable application rate equipment and automatic livestock ID, recording and drafting.

As a NSW DPI Research Centre, the College has had recent upgrades to many of its livestock handling facilities.

Fees are charged for the course studied (including the Smart and Skilled Student Fee), as well as board and lodging (includes room, meals and laundry), tours, student association fees, equipment and resources used in the course. Fees are payable at the start of each term or by fortnightly instalments. Specific information on fees is available on the Course fees page, and in the Student Handbook PDF, 6704.71 KB.

There are a large number of scholarships available for students enrolled at Tocal. Information about these, and the relevant application forms, are available from our Financial Assistance page.

Many students also qualify for Youth Allowance or Abstudy which may allow concessions or exemptions from the NSW Smart and Skilled Student Fee, fortnightly support payments or coverage of other fees (contact Centrelink for more information).

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

Tocal students have the opportunity to complete more than the minimum number of units required at no extra charge. These extra units provide students with a broader range of skills and experience and are based on feedback from industry and the employers of Tocal graduates. Completing these extra units increases a student’s employability skills and industry readiness, making them more desirable to potential employers.

Tocal also has articulation (credit for study at Tocal) arrangements in place with a number of Australian universities. Further information is available on our University pathways page.

Support is available via email, phone, face to face on-campus, and through Canvas (the online learner management system).