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