Qualification Outline
22/07/2026 5:27 AM AWST
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Certificate III in Protected Horticulture
Certificate III in Protected Horticulture
AHC33722
BJA6
Current
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Releases
| Release Version | Release Date | TGA Status | DTWD Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | 11/02/2025 | Current | Approved |
| 1.00 | 24/01/2023 | Replaced | Approved |
Description
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for individuals who work in the protected horticulture industry undertaking skilled work in the areas of picking, packing, crop and nursery work.
Individuals with this qualification perform tasks under broad supervision involving a broad range of skills that are applied in a wide variety of contexts, which will involve discretion and judgement in selecting and operating equipment, coordinating resources and applying contingency measures during work.
Work must comply with work health and safety and environmental regulations and legislation that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Schedule
Packaging Rules
To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:- 17 units of competency:
- 6 core units plus
- 11 elective units.
Elective units must ensure the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. Any combination of electives that meets the packaging rules can be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture.
Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation area as follows:
- At least 3 electives must be selected from Group A for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Picking)
- At least 3 electives must be selected from Group B for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Packing)
- At least 3 electives must be selected from Group C for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Crop Work)
- At least 3 electives must be selected from Group D for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Nursery)
- 5 units not already selected must be from groups A, B, C, D or E
- the remaining 3 units must be selected from electives listed in groups A, B, C, D or E or any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
Where a specialisation area is not sought, the electives are to be chosen as follows:
- 8 units must be from groups A, B, C, D or E
- the remaining 3 units must be selected from the electives listed in groups A, B, C, D or E or any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
1. Core Units
All six (6) units must be completed.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCU14 | AHCBIO303 | Apply biosecurity measures | 90 | Unit of competency |
| OFB66 | AHCWRK320 | Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | 55 | Unit of competency |
| OAO14 | FBPOPR2070 | Apply quality systems and procedures | 30 | Unit of competency |
| ODL43 | FBPOPR2074 | Carry out manual handling tasks | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OFC35 | AHCWHS302 | Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | 45 | Unit of competency |
| ODM07 | FBPFSY3003 | Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs | 90 | Unit of competency |
2. Group A Picking
At least three (3) electives must be selected from Group A for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Picking).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCS64 | AHCPHT317 | Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting | 65 | Unit of competency |
| OCT01 | AHCBIO301 | Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | 50 | Unit of competency |
| OCT80 | AHCBIO203 | Inspect and clean machinery, tools and equipment to preserve biosecurity | 20 | Unit of competency |
| OBJ59 | AHCPHT214 | Support horticultural crop harvesting | 24 | Unit of competency |
3. Group B Packing
At least three (3) electives must be selected from Group B for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Packing).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
4. Group C Crop Work
At least three (3) electives must be selected from Group C for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Crop Work).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAL98 | AHCPMG302 | Control plant pests, diseases and disorders | 35 | Unit of competency |
| OBK02 | AHCHYD401 | Establish and monitor hydroponic crops | 70 | Unit of competency |
| OCT60 | AHCPHT315 | Establish horticultural crops | 25 | Unit of competency |
| OCT01 | AHCBIO301 | Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | 50 | Unit of competency |
| OCT65 | AHCPHT312 | Implement a crop regulation program | 70 | Unit of competency |
| OFF28 | AHCHYD303 | Implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems | 60 | Unit of competency |
| OCT44 | AHCPCM305 | Implement a plant nutrition program | 55 | Unit of competency |
| OBJ58 | AHCPHT311 | Install and maintain vertical hanging trellis | 25 | Unit of competency |
| OFF26 | AHCHYD304 | Install hydroponic systems | 50 | Unit of competency |
| OBJ65 | AHCPHT211 | Maintain crop | 35 | Unit of competency |
| OCT89 | AHCNSY314 | Operate fertigation equipment | 65 | Unit of competency |
| OBJ62 | AHCPHT212 | Perform manual pollination of crops | 25 | Unit of competency |
5. Group D Nursery
At least three (3) electives must be selected from Group D for the award of the Certificate III in Protected Horticulture (Nursery).
Please refer to the training package for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAM72 | FBPVIT2001 | Bench graft vines | 60 | Unit of competency |
| BAL98 | AHCPMG302 | Control plant pests, diseases and disorders | 35 | Unit of competency |
| OCT01 | AHCBIO301 | Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | 50 | Unit of competency |
| OCT44 | AHCPCM305 | Implement a plant nutrition program | 55 | Unit of competency |
| OCT94 | AHCNSY308 | Maintain nursery plants | 35 | Unit of competency |
| OCT89 | AHCNSY314 | Operate fertigation equipment | 65 | Unit of competency |
| OBJ60 | AHCPHT213 | Perform plant blocking on | 25 | Unit of competency |
| OCT31 | AHCPHT217 | Undertake field budding and grafting | 25 | Unit of competency |
| OCS22 | AHCNSY207 | Undertake propagation activities | 25 | Unit of competency |
6. Group E Electives
The remaining units may be chosen from Group E.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEY5 | AHC33719 | Certificate III in Protected Horticulture | Qualification |
No information
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
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