Certificate III in Rural Operations
The Certificate III in Rural Operations provides training, skills and knowledge relevant to the agriculture, horticulture, conservation and land management industries. Students may be eligible to attain certificate in occupational health and safety, chainsaw operation, fire training, AusChem, ladder use and small machinery.
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Duration
1.5 years part-time - VET Feb Intake (15/02/2021), VET Apr Intake (19/04/2021), VET Jul Intake (12/07/2021) and VET Oct Intake (04/10/2021).
Intakes
Wantirna (February, April, July, October) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Part-time (day)

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The Certificate III in Rural Operations provides training, skills and knowledge relevant to the agriculture, horticulture, conservation and land management industry. This is an 18-month part-time course covering a broad variety of outdoors skills.
Course structure
Units of study
Elective units (select 14 units from the following:)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
Graduates may be able to find employment as a nursery worker, parks worker, crew member for government land management and water organisations, environmental monitoring, project fire fighter, pest and weed control or outdoor team leader.
Aims and objectives
This course aims to provide the student with knowledge and skills to operate successfully and safely in the conservation and land management industry. Students may be eligible for industry tickets such as a White Card and AusChem.

Graduate skills
Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to work as a crew member or independently in the outdoor land management industry and may attain certification in occupational health and safety (OHS), chainsaw operation, fire training, AusChem, ladder use, and small machinery.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate III in Rural OperationsEstimated course fees for 2021* |
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Course fee options | Full course fee | Skills First Government-subsidised place | Concession rate |
Total Cost (GST Free) | $12,330 | $5,440 | $1,088 |
This course is delivered with state government funding.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession if you meet the eligibility criteria. Concession rates usually provide eligible students with a discount on Swinburne’s standard tuition fees for a range of vocational education (TAFE) qualifications.
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available to Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders or Youth Concession students enrolled prior to 1 July 2012 and continuing the same course in 2013.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
If you are not granted a government-subsidised place, you will be eligible for the full course fee. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 995.
Entry requirements
Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.
How to apply
Find out more
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059