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Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.
Personalised for INTERNATIONAL students.
International student means; you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Certificate IV in Horticulture

VTAC Code: AHC40422 VTAC Number: Fairfield 6900310474

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

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Overview

Campus
Duration

12 months full time

Next Intake

February, July

Use a Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422 to plant the seeds for your future

Australia is world renowned for its high quality fruits, grains and vegetables. Australia’s $8 billion horticulture industry is significant and diverse, with an expanding market and a need for skilled workers. Melbourne Polytechnic’s hands-on, industry specialised Certificate IV in Horticulture is perfect for anyone with a green thumb looking for an exciting and dynamic career in the field.

Grow your skills with horticulture’s finest

From studying a Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422, you will learn about plant nutrition, revegetation, tree health, propagation, irrigation and the operation of specialist machinery. With new technologies evolving the industry all the time, Melbourne Polytechnic's Food, Fibre, and Animal Industries Department works with industry bodies to ensure that our students are learning the most up-to-date techniques and technologies. Industry connected teachers will educate you in world-class facilities including a plant nursery, gardens for practical work, modern greenhouses, laboratories and more. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show regularly award Melbourne Polytechnic students for outstanding work in their competitions, and you may also have the chance to work with organisations such as Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) while you study.

Cultivate your career

Horticulture is a fast-changing, fascinating industry with a huge demand for skilled workers. The Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422, will equip you for a large number of roles in the industry including in historic, private, botanic, or council gardens. You could work as a garden centre manager, a landscape garden consultant, a plant conservationist, or a plant nutritionist.

Career Pathways

Where will the Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422 take me?

Horticulture is a fast-changing, fascinating industry with a huge demand for skilled workers.
Opportunities from a Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422 include:

  • Landscape Garden Consultant
  • Community Facility Groundskeeper
  • Community Landscape Officer
  • Groundsperson
  • Garden Centre Manager
  • Plant Nutritionist
  • Plant Conservationist

Study Pathways

These qualifications may lead to further study at diploma or bachelor level.

To everyone at Melbourne Polytechnic, thanks for all your hard work and especially Doug Agnew whose personality made being in the classroom such fun. I’m looking forward to a great career in this wonderful industry.
Darren Wardle
Outstanding Apprentice/Trainee of the Year 2024 and Certificate III in Sports Turf Management (Apprenticeship) AHC31319 Graduate
A man in a hat and headphones sits comfortably in a lawnmower cutting the grass

Course Details

Delivery methods

  • Practical Work

How you will study

Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.

On-campus

Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is based on your ability to achieve unit outcomes and assessment methods include demonstration of skills, tests and assignments, folios and log books, oral activities, and third party reports. At the commencement of each unit, you will be given an outline of what is to be covered and how the unit will be assessed

Units of Study

The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.

Code Subject Elective Hours
AHCBUS407 Cost a project Elective 50
AHCDES403 Develop landscape designs Elective 130
AHCECR402 Plan the implementation of revegetation works Elective 80
AHCLSC404 Supervise landscape project works Elective 80
AHCNSY404 Plan a propagation program Elective 120
AHCPCM303 Identify plant specimens Elective 80
AHCPCM404 Recommend plants and cultural practices Elective 80
AHCPCM406 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition program Core 90
AHCPGD404 Plan a plant establishment program Core 80
AHCPMG409 Implement a pest management plan Elective 80
AHCWHS402 Maintain workplace health and safety processes Core 70
AHCWRK410 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices Core 60

Attend an Information Session

Our information sessions will give you an in-depth look at your chosen area of study and answer your questions about your course.

Fees & Costs

Tuition Fees
Concession Government subsidised fee Non-subsidised fee
Tuition fee $860 $4300 $14700
Materials fee $150 $150 $150
Maximum annual amenities $175 $250 $250
Total payable $1185 $4700 $15100
Per year $0
Per semester $0

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.

Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.

Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.

After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.

For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.

Fees explained

The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment. 

Check your eligibility here.

The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.

Check your eligibility here.

Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:

  • Commonwealth Health Care card, or
  • Pensioner Concession card, or
  • Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
  • Veterans Gold card.

The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking

Additional expenses

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:

  • $250 for full fee-paying students; and
  • $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.

Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.

A list of equipment and reference material you will need to provide will be distributed at the start of the course. Reference material is also available for loan in our libraries.

Necessary items may include your own safety boots (steel capped), Hi-Vis vest, good quality secateurs, sunscreen, USB flash drive, one textbook and writing materials.

Horticulture courses at Melbourne Polytechnic

Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520
Horticulture - Full Time - Fairfield
Horticulture - Full Time - Fairfield
Our Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520 will facilitate a fascinating and unique career as an arborist. Be part of a well-respected sector of the horticultural industry called upon to assess and repair damage to our trees.
Certificate III in Arboriculture - Climbing Arborist Non-traineeship AHC30820
Horticulture - Part Time - Fairfield
Horticulture - Part Time - Fairfield
Do you have a special connection to trees and an interest in urban environments? Combine your love of the outdoors and passion for conserving nature with a fascinating career as a climbing arborist.
Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant) SFL20115
Horticulture - Full Time, Pre Apprentice - Fairfield
Horticulture - Full Time, Pre Apprentice - Fairfield
Develop your trade skills and let your creativity bloom. The Certificate II in Floristry SFL20115 (Assistant) is a national qualification teaching you skills to work as a florist in a shop or studio. Put your love of flowers, creative flair and eye for detail to work with a beautiful and rewarding career in Floristry.
Certificate III in Sports Turf Management - Apprenticeship AHC31319
Horticulture - Apprentice, Full Time - Fairfield
Horticulture - Apprentice, Full Time - Fairfield
Your specialist career starts here with our Certificate III in Sports Turf Management AHC31319 (Apprenticeship). Use your eye for excellence in the world of sports, and your interest in horticulture and facilities management to excel in your career of Sports Turf Management.
Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818
Horticulture - Full Time, Part Time - Community Locations, Northern Lodge at Eden Park
Horticulture - Full Time, Part Time - Community Locations, Northern Lodge at Eden Park
Immerse yourself in the world of beekeeping with our flexible apiculture course, the Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818.

Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

Next Steps

The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.

After you complete that form we will send you an email with a link to an application form webpage. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam and junk folders.

Complete the application form on the application form webpage.

You will be required to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.

Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend an enrolment appointment over the phone or on campus.

For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payment Plans here.

If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.

A teacher wearing a Melbourne Polytechnic lanyard, teaching students outdoors. An overlay text reads "Victorian Training Awards - Winner, Large Training Provider of the Year 2024"

We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year

Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.

Recognising Organisations

Nationally Recognised Training

Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.

You are currently looking at information for local students

Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.