Skip to Content
Need Help Live Chat
Certificate III in Parks and Gardens AHC31021
Show sidebar
  1. Home
  2. Courses
  3. Science and Environment
  4. Horticulture
  5. Parks and Gardens

Overview

The Parks and Gardens course will suit you if you enjoy working outdoors and is designed for those who are interested in shaping the environment around us.
You will gain specialist knowledge about a range of plants and conditions to grow and maintain a stable environment, whether that's a park, garden, nature reserve or sports turf.
You will learn and practise your skills in our 4 ½ hectare CIT Bruce horticulture facility, offsite excursions and field work on real life projects.

Qualification:

 Certificate III in Parks and Gardens AHC31021

Course No:

 C3-BD78

Campus:

 CIT Bruce 

Duration:

 The Parks and Gardens course is offered full time and part time. Six (6) semesters part-time (approx. 8 hours per week) OR 2 Semesters (approx 24 hours per week) full-time.
You will attend practical classes and some theory study in your own time to have the best opportunity to satisfactorily complete this qualification.

Cost Info:

Enrolment fees for this course are based on the costs per subject as indicated below. The total course cost may vary depending on the choice of elective subjects or if subjects are attempted more than once. Subject costs identified as Standard are partially subsidised by the ACT Government. Concessions may be available to eligible students.

Fee information for completing this course under an Australian Apprenticeship arrangement is available on the Apprenticeships and Traineeships page. The total course cost may vary if subjects are attempted more than once.

Indicative Cost:

 Standard student $4,460
Apprentice/trainee
  • Subsidised fee $4,460
  • Full fee $13,205

Likely Job Outcome:

 This program provides a pathway to work as a Municipal/city gardener, grounds person, horticulturist.

Application Type:

 Standard; Apprentice/Trainee
Share:

Timetable Information

To help with the enrolment process print your timetable, or keep the window open, so that you can refer back to it for your course code, course name, and the Course Reference Numbers (CRNs) or Block Code.

Additional Information

Whilst completing practical skills you are required to provide and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when outdoors. These include:

  • Footwear and clothing
  • Protective boot coverings
  • Sunhat and sunscreen
  • Gloves for handling materials and dangerous goods

Entry Requirements

Skills Recognition

To study any course at CIT (excluding non-accredited training) you must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Literacy Skills Information

We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 3 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course. If you do not have this level, you can still enrol and seek support to improve your skills or you may prefer to begin with the lower level course. Please visit Foundation Skills.

Transition Information

Qualifications at CIT are regularly updated or replaced to meet current industry needs and maximise your employment opportunities. If this occurs while you are part way through a qualification, you may need to vary your learning to meet the new national requirements. CIT will aim to make this as smooth as possible for you.

Subject Cancellations/Changes

To ensure positive outcomes for all students, CIT may need to cancel or change classes at short notice. CIT will make every effort to inform students as soon as changes are made and will also make every effort to offer alternative arrangements for students to meet the requirements of the subject and complete their qualification. In an unfortunate instance when this cannot be met, you will receive a full refund. Please ensure you maintain current contact details via CIT Self Service or by contacting CIT Student Services at infoline@cit.edu.au.


Subject Information

Complete 16 subjects (11 Core and 5 Electives)

Stage 1 - Complete 6

  • AHCPCM303   Identify plant specimens
    • CIT Code: HORT1168
      Cost: Standard $200.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to inspect plant specimens and describe the features and attributes of a plant for the purpose of plant identification and providing information to a client or organisation. The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCSOL304   Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
    • CIT Code: HORT1361
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect and test soil samples for their physical and chemical characteristics and take corrective action to improve the soil for garden beds and turf areas. The unit applies to individuals who carry out soil improvements under general direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPGD307   Implement a plant establishment program
    • CIT Code: HORT1395
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to establish planting areas, including preparing, implementing, reviewing and completing plant establishment work, in new projects and in programs of extensive replacement and renovation works across a range of situations and environments.The unit applies to individuals who implement a plant establishment program under broad direction, and take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPMG301   Control weeds
    • CIT Code: HORT642
      Cost: Standard $300.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and coordinate weed control activities. This unit applies to workers in agriculture, horticulture or land management-based enterprises who are required to carry out the control of weed infestations using cultural, biological and chemical methods to provide effective, economical control of weeds while minimising damage to the environment.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCMOM304   Operate machinery and equipment
    • CIT Code: HORT658
      Cost: Standard $300.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain machinery and equipment. All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety requirements manufacturer's specifications and sustainability practices. This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCWHS301   Contribute to work health and safety processes
    • CIT Code: OHSS254
      Cost: Standard $100.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out enterprise work health and safety policies and procedures. This unit is applicable to individuals. They typically work within clear reporting lines and procedures. All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures and work health and safety and other relevant legislation and codes.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Stage 2 - Complete 5

  • AHCWRK309   Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
    • CIT Code: HORT1345
      Cost: Standard $200.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply environmentally sustainable work practices. This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. Work routines meet organisational and compliance requirements for ethical handling and welfare of animals, environmental sustainability, work health and safety, and biosecurity appropriate to the work role.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCTRF309   Implement a grassed area maintenance program
    • CIT Code: HORT1358
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain general turf grass surfaces involving the general procedures for cutting and trimming grass, dethatching older grassed areas, applying fertilisers and treatments for managing grass health. The unit applies to individuals who maintain turf surfaces under general direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPCM305   Implement a plant nutrition program
    • CIT Code: HORT1393
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement a plant nutrition program, including preparing for the nutrition program, monitoring and controlling the nutritional requirements of plants, preparing fertilisers and application equipment, applying products to plants, and completing plant nutrition program activities.The unit applies to individuals who implement a plant nutrition program under broad direction, and take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPGD310   Implement a landscape maintenance program
    • CIT Code: HORT1398
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement a landscape maintenance program, including interpreting the program requirements, and monitoring and maintaining landscape areas of newly constructed or established landscapes.The unit applies to individuals who implement a landscape maintenance program under broad direction, and take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPMG302   Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
    • CIT Code: HORT665
      Cost: Standard $200.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to control plant pests, diseases and disorders, taking into consideration Integrated Pest Management options. The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify a range of pests, diseases and disorders and beneficial organisms, assess damage or threat to plants and select and apply pest and disease controls and timing of operations. It includes preparing and calibrating equipment, monitoring the effectiveness of controls and keeping records.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Stage 3 - Complete 5

  • AHCIRG346   Operate pressurised irrigation systems
    • CIT Code: HORT1352
      Cost: Standard $300.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to pre-start check, inspect, start up, operate, monitor and shut down pressurised irrigation systems. The unit applies to individuals who operate pressurised irrigation systems under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCARB314   Implement a tree maintenance program
    • CIT Code: HORT1383
      Cost: Standard $300.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify a tree species and assess the health and condition in order to develop, implement and schedule a tree maintenance program and treatments according to safety and environmental procedures.The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction in arboriculture and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.The arboriculture industry requires that all tree maintenance work is undertaken according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some states and territories.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPCM306   Provide information on plants and their culture
    • CIT Code: HORT1394
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify client issues or requirements, identify the preferred solution, and provide information and solutions to clients.The unit applies to individuals who provide information on plants and their culture under broad direction, and take responsibility for their own work.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPGD308   Plan and maintain plant displays
    • CIT Code: HORT1396
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and establish plant displays, including preparing, selecting, placing and maintaining plants either indoors or as seasonal displays of annual and perennial plants in garden beds and completing work.The unit applies to individuals who plan and maintain plant displays under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • AHCPGD309   Perform specialist amenity pruning
    • CIT Code: HORT1397
      Cost: Standard $320.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform specialist amenity pruning, including preparing, undertaking and completing amenity pruning work using specialist pruning techniques.The unit applies to individuals who perform specialist amenity pruning under broad direction, and take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Related Courses

Certificate III Horticulture AHC30722
Certificate III Landscape Construction AHC30921
Certificate III Conservation and Ecosystem Management AHC31421
Certificate III Sports Turf Management AHC31319
Non-Accredited Training Introduction to Permaculture Design

More Information

For more information about this course please contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au