AHC40122 Certificate IV in Agriculture

In order to achieve this qualification, students must complete twelve (12) units made up of two (2) core units and ten (10) elective units.

The electives chosen must include:

• 4 units from group A.
• 4 units not already selected from groups A, B or C
• 2 units from the remaining units listed in groups A, B or C, or any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
• Electives from group C can only be selected where required as a prerequisite.

You must complete 12 units of study to complete the course. Details of the AHC40122 Certificate IV in Agriculture course are provided in Course descriptions.

Please note: This year’s Cert IV, Fulltime students, are currently completing the AHC40116 Certificate IV in Agriculture. The program in 2025 will be very similar but with updated qualification and units of competency. For a description of how that program is delivered to 2024 students, please refer to 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 demonstration of equivalent skills, knowledge, and experience.

Students who have successfully completed 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 considered equivalent to at least one year’s full-time employment on a commercial, agricultural enterprise where the worker has responsibility for independently carrying out a wide range of tasks including machinery operation, plant production and livestock husbandry

One year, full-time.

Residential training concludes early October. Course then concludes with optional, month long off campus placement.

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, bees 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 DPIRD 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 & Lodging (includes room, meals, laundry), and Student Association & Recreation, and Resource & Equipment Levies.

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.

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 youth education 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. For further information please contact us.

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