Program Overview

Certificate III in Agriculture Traineeship

The Certificate III in Agriculture traineeship, AHC30122, is a nationally accredited qualification that prepares students for a career in mixed cropping, livestock farming, and agricultural operation. This 18-month traineeship combines training with working a real job, with a real boss, for a real wage.

Program Overview

The traineeship covers all stages of the agricultural life cycle, including land preparation, crop production and maintenance, pest and plant disease management, and livestock farming. Students will learn how to use key agricultural machinery and vehicles to effectively and efficiently undertake agricultural work.

Topics Covered

• Safe and sustainable work practices
• Essentials for crop production and harvesting
• Application of chemicals for weed control
• Design and construction of fencing
• Operation of farm vehicles
• Handling, feeding, and monitoring livestock

How You'll Learn

The traineeship combines online learning with onsite workplace training and assessment sessions at approved locations, as well as practical skills training at the Gatton campus. On average, a traineeship takes place over 18 months.

Assessment

Students will be assessed through written exams and reports, oral presentations, and practical demonstrations.

Start Date

The program can be started at any time, provided the student is employed as a trainee within a suitable rural business.

Requirements

All UQ Skills programs require access to a computer with a Windows operating system, up-to-date versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a reliable internet connection.

Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) Testing

Students are required to complete a language, literacy, and numeracy test as part of the enrolment process to identify and plan for any learning or support needs.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students with recent work experience may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

Students must provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before their enrolment can be accepted.

Resources

The 2026 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 1.4 MB) includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal, and other policy information.

Fees

• School-based trainees: free
• Concessional fee: $627.20
• Priority Population Group (PPG) fee: $627.20
• Non-concessional fee: $1,568
• Full fee without funding: $5,225

The fee paid will depend on eligibility to receive funding under the Queensland Government’s Career Start program.

Units

To gain this qualification, students must successfully complete 2 core units and 14 elective units. Core units include:

• Contribute to work health and safety processes (AHCWHS302)
• Apply environmentally sustainable work practices (AHCWRK320)

Elective units can be chosen from a list, allowing students to tailor their studies. Examples of elective units include:

• Undertake preparation of land for agricultural crop production (AHCBAC309)
• Establish agricultural crops (AHCBAC315)
• Maintain agricultural crops (AHCBAC316)
• Plan and construct conventional fencing (AHCINF307)
• Administer medication to livestock (AHCLSK301)
• Implement animal health control programs (AHCLSK309)
• Implement feeding plans for livestock (AHCLSK311)
• Comply with industry animal welfare requirements (AHCLSK331)
• Transport and store chemicals (AHCCHM304)
• Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds, and diseases (AHCCHM307)
• Control weeds (AHCPMG301)
• Work effectively in the industry (AHCWRK204)
• Monitor weather conditions (AHCWRK314)
• Provide first aid (HLTAID011)
• Prepare livestock for competition (AHCLSK316)
• Operate tractors (AHCMOM202)
• Conduct front-end loader operations (AHCMOM207)
• Operate side-by-side utility vehicles (AHCMOM216)
• Operate quad bikes (AHCMOM217)
• Inspect, clean machinery, tools, and equipment to preserve biosecurity (AHCBIO203)
• Handle livestock using basic techniques (AHCLSK205)
• Muster and move livestock (AHCLSK210)
• Identify and draft livestock (AHCLSK308)
• Monitor water supplies (AHCLSK209)
• Provide feed for livestock (AHCLSK211)
• Operate tractors (AHCMOM202)
• Undertake operational maintenance of machinery (AHCMOM204)
• Operate machinery and equipment (AHCMOM304)
• Operate and maintain chainsaws (AHCMOM213)
• Fell small trees (AHCPCM205)
• Operate multi-rotor remote pilot aircraft systems (AVIY0027)

Careers

Graduates will have highly sought-after skills in mixed cropping, livestock trade, and agricultural operation. Job titles relevant to this qualification include:

• Farm labourer
• Cropping supervisor
• Machinery operator
• Farm supervisor

Graduates will be equipped to prepare land for successful crop production and maintain healthy crops while upholding biosecurity and sustainability best practices.