About ARO College

The Diploma of Horticulture has 10 units of competency which are delivered over 14 months. There are 3 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully overseeing the general horticulture activities of a Parks and Gardens, Landscaping, Horticulture, Nursery enterprise or government organisation. Topics such as developing workplace policy and procedures for environment and sustainability and managing WHS as well as writing and presenting reports are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to collect and classify plants and diagnose plant health problems, prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports and prepare estimates quotes and tenders.

This qualification would be suitable for a person who has worked in the the landscaping, sports turf or horticulture industry for 5+ years and has a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Horticulture, Production Horticulture, Landscape Construction or Sports Turf Management, or similar horticulture qualification.

Topics such as controlling plant pests, diseases and disorders, performing amenity pruning, managing soils and controlling weeds are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to install, operate and troubleshoot irrigation systems, operate machinery and equipment and apply S7 Chemicals.

Persons working as an amenity horticulturalist, irrigation maintainer, nursery worker or leading hand draw on a range of expertise in machinery, plant and soil care and irrigation materials to implement and maintain the plants and produce in private, commercial and community horticulture operations. This course outlines the special considerations that need to be made for the environment and site conditions to maintain production horticulture spaces, so they are safe, comfortable and sustainable.

The Certificate IV in Horticulture has 12 units of competency which are delivered over 14 months. There are 4 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for supervising the general horticulture activities of a Production Horticulture, Parks and Gardens, Landscaping, Horticulture, Retail Nursery enterprise or government organisation such as a local council. Topics such as implementing workplace policy and procedures for environment and sustainability and maintaining WHS as well as developing a soil health and plant nutrition and establishment program are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to plan and implement sports turf renovation, supervise irrigation system installation and cost a project.

The Diploma of Sports Turf Management has 14 units of competency which are delivered over 18 months. There are 10 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully overseeing sports turf management activities from start to finish. Topics such as how to effectively negotiate and manage contracts; planning, implementing and managing sports turf renovation programs; designing and auditing irrigation systems and; developing and managing a chemical use strategy are offered.

This qualification is designed to give you the specialist skills and knowledge to take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex sports turf assets and turf landscaping project management work.

On successful completion of this course, you’ll have the skills you need to work at a managerial level within this in-demand industry.

The Certificate III in Landscape Construction has 17 units of competency which are delivered over 20 months. There are 10 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully implementing and maintaining landscaping projects from start to finish. Topics such as how to construct stone, brick and block structures and features, paving, retaining walls, installing draining systems, soils and plant identification and establishment are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to operate machinery and equipment and apply environmentally sustainable work practices.

Landscapers draw on a range of expertise in horticulture, plant care and construction materials to construct and maintain the green spaces in private and community spaces. This course outlines the special considerations that need to be made for the environment and site conditions to maintain gardens and community spaces, so they are safe, comfortable and sustainable.

The Certificate III in Production Horticulture has 15 units of competency which are delivered over 14 months. There are 3 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully growing and harvesting horticultural crops. Topics such as how to apply biosecurity measures, complying with industry quality assurance and wotkplace health and safety. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to install, operate, maintain and troubleshoot irrigation systems, operate machinery and equipment and apply S7Chemicals to control plant pests and diseases.

Persons working as an irrigation maintainer, machinery maintainer or leading hand draw on a range of expertise in horticulture, plant and soil care and irrigation materials to implement and maintain the crops in private and community horticulture operations. This course outlines the special considerations that need to be made for the environment and site conditions to maintain production horticulture spaces, so they are safe, comfortable and sustainable.

This qualification provides pathways toward landscaping and labouring occupations as well as traineeships. This is a great entry level qualification for early school leavers to gain the fundamental knowledge for an outdoor working environment.

Participants will undertake this self-paced Course using printed workbook learning and hand-written assessment tasks + workplace-based training and assessment tasks + workplace employer/supervisor mentoring.

This Course is designed primarily for Participants that are eligible for a Training Contract and employed as an apprentice or trainee in a horticulture enterprise, specifically people pursuing a career as an employee in a Horticulture-based enterprise or organisation, and/or people working in the AHC industry who are seeking a formal qualification.

The Certificate II in Horticulture provides training that underpins a range of work functions and job roles that can lead to a horticultural trade qualification. Gain the foundational skills to control weeds, operate basic garden machinery and launch your career as a horticulture assistant or garden labourer.

The qualification is suited to VET programs delivered to secondary school students or learners with no previous connection to the horticulture industry or relevant employment history.

The Diploma of Landscape Design has 12 units of competency which are delivered over 16 months. There are 6 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully overseeing the landscape design activities from start to finish. Topics such as how to effectively prepare estimates, quotes and tenders; writing reports; and surveying and establishing site levels. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to assess landscapes and design and produce sustainable landscape with drawings using CAD software.

This qualification is designed to give you the specialist skills and knowledge to create and draw commercial plans that show the layout of a garden, playground or community space including grassed areas, garden beds, entertaining areas, retaining walls, water features, and other elements.

This course gives students the opportunity to learn about different ecosystems and how to perform land management tasks such as identifying plants and animals, planting trees, treating weeds, operating basic types of machinery and equipment and maintaining Indigenous cultural sites.

Participants will undertake this self-paced course and provided with printed workbook learning and hand-written assessment tasks. Training will also consist of workplace-based training and assessment tasks + workplace employer/supervisor mentoring.

This Course is designed primarily for Participants that are eligible for a Training Contract and employed as an apprentice or trainee in a horticulture enterprise, specifically people pursuing a career as an employee in a Horticulture-based enterprise or organisation, and/or people working in the AHC industry who are seeking a formal qualification

The Certificate III in Certificate III in Nursery Operations with a specialisation in Retail Nursery has 16 units of competency which are delivered over 18 months. There are 9 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully providing customer service and sales in a retail nursery business or operation. Topics such as how to prepare growing media, how to care for nursery plants and promote products and services plus plant identification and establishment are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to troubleshoot irrigation systems and apply S7 pesticides using chemical spraying equipment.

This 3-day skillset describes the skills and knowledge required to transport, handle, store, prepare and apply chemicals and includes theory and practical components.

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for entry level workers and support roles within sports turf management. These workers mainly carry out routine and structured tasks under direct supervision.

This qualification is suitable as a pre-apprenticeship or school-based program for introduction to the sports turf management industry.

The Certificate IV in Landscape Construction Management has 12 units of competency which are delivered over 14 months. There are 2 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully supervising landscaping projects from start to finish. Topics such as how to cost a project, operating within a budget framework and supervising landscape project works are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to plan a plant establishment program, and supervise the maintenance of property, machinery and equipment.

Landscapers draw on a range of expertise in horticulture, plant care and construction materials to construct and maintain the green spaces in private and community spaces. This course outlines the special considerations that need to be made for the environment and site conditions to construct and maintain gardens, so they are safe, comfortable and sustainable.

The Diploma of Landscape Construction Management has 10 units of competency which are delivered over 14 months. There are 4 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully overseeing landscaping projects from start to finish. Topics such as how to effectively negotiate and manage contracts, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget, how to develop the skills to accurately prepare estimates, quotes, and tenders, and enabling the securing of new business inclusive of accurately planning for project costs are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to survey and establish site levels, ensuring that landscaping projects are completed with precision and accuracy.

The Certificate III in Sports Turf Management has 23 units of competency which are delivered over 32 months. There are 18 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for successfully maintaining sports turf assets and activities from start to finish. Topics such as chemical spraying; implementing sports turf renovation programs: installing, maintaining and troubleshooting irrigation systems and; controlling weeds, plant pests, diseases and disorders are offered. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will gain the technical expertise to construct and prepare sports turf surfaces for play including maintaining turf management equipment, as well as conducting turf assessments and implementing turf management plans.

This qualification would be suitable for a person who has limited or minimal exposure to the horticulture or turf playing field and courses industries or is seeking employment in, or upskilling themselves in various sports turf management and greenkeeper-type roles.

The Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management (Ecological Restoration) has 16 units of competency which are delivered over 18 months. There are 2 core subjects in this qualification which are essential for performing a range of conservation and ecosystem management activities including, site restoration, rehabilitation and renewal and management of the rural and natural landscapes and degraded sites. Topics such as collecting native seed and undertaking direct seeding, implementing erosion and sediment control measures, and collecting and classifying plants and native fauna are provided. Additionally, persons undertaking this course will contribute to the preservation and maintenance of wildlife and their habitat in the natural ecosystem, parks and reserves including working with and preservation of indigenous culture and heritage resources.