Suitable for home gardeners and sole traders, including handypersons, landscapers and gardeners, this nationally accredited horticulture course is delivered by industry experts and will teach you:
You’ll then choose one of three streams to develop your knowledge in a specialist area:
Whichever stream you choose will give you a deeper understanding of this growth area and help you develop in-demand, industry-specific skills.
You will also be granted access to Trade Hub as part of your studies. Trade Hub is a literacy and numeracy support tool, which explains key concepts that you will need to understand to work in horticulture (area, volume, instructions, and safety documents).
Studying online with Open Colleges means you can fit learning around your life. There are no classrooms and no deadlines. You simply study whenever you want, at a pace that suits your life, and on any device that’s handy (smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer).
If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note – limitations do apply.
There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.
You will need to be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 your enrolment form will need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
This course involves reading and undertaking a range of written assessments, as well as engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 10 level.
If you haven’t successfully completed English at Year 10 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:
Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided to you by Open Colleges.
You will need access to a computer and the internet and have basic computing skills. Minimum specifications for your computer are:
All users:
Windows users:
Mac OS users:
You will need to have access to a workplace, or workplaces, in which you can complete your projects and presentations (video demonstrations). Your workplace must be approved by Open Colleges as a suitable and safe environment. The workplace supervisor verifies the activity and you as the student, but does not assess your competence. The projects and presentations are evaluated by an Open Colleges assessor, who will judge competency based on the written and visual evidence you submit online.
You can find more information about the workplace projects here.
You will need to have access to specific tools and equipment for this course. Click here to view the complete list of materials, equipment and tools required for this course.
To successfully complete this course, you will require basic computing skills. This includes:
Physical requirements for this course include manual dexterity (use of tools and equipment), as well as the ability to lift and carry equipment, in order to meet performance criteria and achieve a competent result. Learners are required to be fully able bodied for tasks such as digging.
Office equipment and resources including telephone, photocopier, scanner and printer.
As part of the assessment for some units, you will be required to produce a video of yourself performing certain tasks. Some of these videos may involve another person.
Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.
Once you are enrolled in this course, you will receive access to the first Module, which contains the first set of units for the course. When you have successfully completed those units, you’ll be given access to the next Module.
Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements. Please download the course guide for current information about the course and its status.
In this first study period, you will be introduced to important knowledge and skills of a Horticulturalist, including how to recognise plants (including common weeds) and how to collect and press dry plants to create your own personal herbarium. You will be introduced to Work Health and Safety, practice your communication skills and build up your knowledge of horticulture products and services.
Recognise plants
Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
Participate in work health and safety processes
Provide information on products and services
You will learn how to install and look after plant displays (using trees and shrubs) for permanent displays in park gardens or temporary displays, such as a garden show. You start with learning about soils and growing media (e.g. potting mixes) and how to improve them. You will practice doing simple tests such as light, moisture and pH. You’ll also practice planting trees and shrubs.
Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing
Plant trees and shrubs
Install and maintain plant displays
You will learn more about how to maintain your plants displays, especially how to treat weeds, plant pests, diseases and disorders and how to prune shrubs and small trees. You will learn to recognise weeds, common pests and symptoms of common diseases and disorders. You will practice calculating and applying domestic chemicals using handheld equipment. You will also learn how to recognise when a shrub or small tree needs basic pruning and learn to use some basic pruning tools, such as handsaws, hedge shears and limb loppers.
Treat weeds
Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders
Prune shrubs and small trees
You will learn how to work in an environmentally sustainable way, including how to measure and reduce the resources you are using, and how the horticulture industry complies with environmental legislation. You will also have opportunities to explore career paths within horticulture, understand employment obligations and learn why bio-security is so important to Australian horticulture.
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Work effectively in the industry
(Elective stream) This is a very hands-on study period where you will learn some of the key tasks that are done in a commercial or non-commercial nursery. You will propagate plants that interest you and treat them if they become stressed or suffer from a disease or disorder. You will also practice potting up plants and how to maintain plants in a nursery.
Undertake propagation activities
Pot up plants
Maintain nursery plants
(Elective stream) This is a very practical study period where you will learn how to use basic machinery and equipment used in parks and gardens, such as mowers, whipper snippers, hedge clippers and herbicide sprayers. Safety is a core focus and you will learn how to do pre-operational safety checks and how to clean and maintain basic machinery. You will also practice how to maintain and repair properties and structures typically found in parks (e.g. simple irrigation systems and timber structures, play equipment and paving) that don’t require the specialist skills of another trade. Finally, you will learn some of the common tasks required to establish turf by seed and sod, including how to decide what turf to use, how to calculate quantities, apply fertilisers and use basic machinery, such as a hand roller.
Operate basic machinery and equipment
Maintain properties and structures
Support turf establishment
(Elective stream) This is a very practical study period. You will learn about basic machinery and equipment used in landscaping, this may include cement mixers, whacker-packers, saws, and levellers. Safety is a core focus and you will learn how to do pre-operational safety checks and how to clean and maintain basic machinery. You will also learn how to lay modular paving in landscape projects.
Operate basic machinery and equipment
Lay paving
Assist with landscape construction work
Pay in Full
You can choose to pay your course fees in full upon enrolment and benefit from a 10% discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Pay 50% & Payment Plan Combo
You can also choose to pay 50% of your total course fees upon enrolment and the balance on a Payment Plan. When you do, you’ll benefit from 50% of the standard Pay in Full discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Payment Plan
You can choose to pay for your course in weekly or fortnightly instalments. By paying in instalments, you can schedule your payments around your regular outgoings and get ahead without breaking the bank. Open Colleges payment plans are interest-free.
Zip Money Payment Plan
If you need a little more flexibility with your finances and would like to pay off your course fees over a longer period of time, we can assist by organising Zip Money to pay your course fees directly to us on your behalf, and you pay this loan back to Zip Money over an agreed period of time. Zip Money provides you flexible options of selecting a 24, 36 or 48 months interest-free, payment plan (dependant on which course you’re enrolling into) to suit your lifestyle, giving you more flexibility than ever before.
BPAY®
With BPAY®, you’re able to pay quickly and securely, 24/7 through your internet, mobile or phone banking service. You can choose when, how much and from which account to pay from – whatever works for you. BPAY® is only available when paying in full. Call an Enrolment Consultant to find out more.
BPAY® is a trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518. Check if BPAY® is right for you by reading the terms and conditions available from your Financial Institution.
Amy is a qualified Horticulturalist certified by the Australian Institute of Horticulture. Amy holds her Chemical Application licence as well as the Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. She is fascinated with all the industry has to offer and is consistently expanding on her skills, knowledge & experience. Amy joined the Horticultural team in 2020 and has experience in the Nursery retail sector, along with experience in a wholesale production nursery.