RPL for Certificate III in Horticulture

Certificate III in Horticulture takes 17 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for AHC30722 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 17 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you AHC30722. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what AHC30722 involves →

The 17 units you complete, chosen from these 44

You do not do all 44. Certificate III in Horticulture is 11 core units, which everyone does, plus 6 chosen from the 33 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Core units — everyone does these

• AHCCHM304 — Transport and store chemicals
• AHCCHM307 — Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
• AHCIRG346 — Operate pressurised irrigation systems
• AHCMOM304 — Operate machinery and equipment
• AHCPCM308 — Identify and select plants
• AHCPGD309 — Perform specialist amenity pruning
• AHCPMG301 — Control weeds
• AHCPMG302 — Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
• AHCSOL304 — Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
• AHCWHS302 — Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
• AHCWRK320 — Apply environmentally sustainable work practices

Electives — you choose from these

• AHCARB314 — Implement a tree maintenance program
• AHCARB316 — Perform pruning operations
• AHCBIO303 — Apply biosecurity measures
• AHCDRG305 — Install drainage systems
• AHCHYD303 — Implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems
• AHCIRG337 — Measure irrigation delivery system performance
• AHCIRG338 — Troubleshoot irrigation systems
• AHCLSC316 — Implement a paving project
• AHCMOM203 — Operate basic machinery and equipment
• AHCNSY308 — Maintain nursery plants
• AHCNSY310 — Install and maintain plant displays
• AHCNSY312 — Prepare specialised plants
• AHCNSY313 — Implement a propagation plan
• AHCPCM204 — Recognise plants
• AHCPCM303 — Identify plant specimens
• AHCPCM305 — Implement a plant nutrition program
• AHCPCM306 — Provide information on plants and their culture
• AHCPCM307 — Report on health and condition of trees
• AHCPGD307 — Implement a plant establishment program
• AHCPGD308 — Plan and maintain plant displays
• AHCPGD310 — Implement a landscape maintenance program
• AHCSOL305 — Prepare growing media
• AHCTRF306 — Prepare sports turf surfaces for play
• AHCTRF308 — Establish turf
• AHCTRF309 — Implement a grassed area maintenance program
• AHCWAT303 — Access, extract and monitor water for irrigation
• AHCWRK317 — Coordinate work site activities
• AHCWRK321 — Provide on-job training support
• AHCWRK322 — Conduct site inspections
• PUASES008 — Undertake storm and water damage operations
• TLILIC2014 — Licence to drive a light rigid vehicle
• TLILIC2015 — Licence to drive a medium rigid vehicle
• TLILIC2016 — Licence to drive a heavy rigid vehicle

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30122, 16 units)
• Certificate III in Dairy Production (AHC30224, 17 units)
• Certificate III in Pork Production (AHC30422, 16 units)
• Certificate III in Poultry Production (AHC30522, 16 units)
• Certificate III in Production Horticulture (AHC30624, 15 units)
• Certificate III in Rural and Environmental Pest Management (AHC30324, 14 units)

More RPL in agriculture, horticulture and conservation

Every qualification in this industry, which of them have a guide ready, and what assessors here accept as evidence: RPL in agriculture, horticulture and conservation.

When you are ready, see what AHC30722 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.