Course Details

This course provides training in the high-level practical skills needed to provide technical information and advice on increasing the quality and production of crops in the agriculture and horticulture industry. Areas of study include plant nutrition, soil health, crop management, weed, pest and disease management and effective soil testing. It is assumed that an individual undertaking this qualification will have prior agriculture or horticulture industry experience.

• Course Information
  • Our courses are self-paced and online, allowing you the flexibility to choose when you complete your study and at what pace you move through your units.
  • You will need to base your course work on a farm you have access to. Tasks will vary but may include activities such as researching and testing soils, reviewing your farm’s workplace health and safety (WHS) practices, budget planning, and more.
  • The standard duration of each unit is 8 weeks, however extensions of up to an additional 8 weeks per unit are available to help accommodate peak production cycles on your farm, and your busy schedule.
  • We will help customise your training plan so your qualification is appropriate to your enterprise, experience and learning goals.
  • You will be required to undertake a two week (10 days) professional work placement with an agronomist. This time can be completed in one block or in smaller blocks. You may wish to do your placement with one business or between two (i.e. one week with each business).
  • For each unit you enrol in, you will also participate in an online discussion group known as an AgForum. These are a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from other students across Australia.
  • We recommend you allow up to 20 hours per week for your studies. However this estimate may vary depending on your existing skills and knowledge, the pace at which you process information and the specific requirements of each unit.

  Download our Student Handbook for more detail on the course structure.

  
  

  COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

  Farm access

  This course requires you to have reliable, regular and ongoing access to a commercial farm. A commercial farm is defined as one which operates in a business-like manner and is likely to make a profit in an average season. This commercial farm or horticulture business will be the basis for completing your assessment tasks and you will need to demonstrate your understanding of the unit content by applying it specifically to your enterprise.

  Your chosen farm must:

  • Operate as a business for profit.
  • Be of a commercial scale to facilitate the application of learning to, and the collection of information from, for assessment tasks.
  • Include agricultural enterprises such as commercial crops or livestock.
  • Be located close to where you live, allowing you to be physically present regularly (e.g. weekly).
  • Provide you with details of past production, management processes, costs, prices, etc. Advanced Diploma units will require access to past financial records.

  If you are not involved in the farm business, RuralBiz Training may ask you to provide contact details for the owner or manager to verify your access to the farm.

  Prior Education and Literacy Requirements

  The Diploma of Applied Agronomy is suitable for applicants who have existing knowledge and skills in agriculture and agronomy and can meet a number of other requirements as listed below:

  • Completion of AHC50122 Diploma of Agriculture (note - if you undertake the AHC50122 Diploma of Agriculture with RuralBiz Training in order to meet the entry requirements, the course electives will be structured to facilitate credit transfers of units towards the Diploma of Applied Agronomy.); AND
  • At least three (3) years of experience in commercial crop production management or agronomy-related services; AND
  • Completion of Year 12 studies or equivalent with relevant agricultural experience gained from school studies, work, or engagement with a family farm; AND
  • Completion of soils units AHCSOL406 (Sample soils and interpret results) and AHCSOL505 (Monitor soils for production) to a high-level of competency.
  • Completion of a language, literacy and numeracy assessment during the enrolment process to demonstrate sufficient capacity to undertake the course.
  • Completion of a pre-enrolment review to assess suitability for the course.

  Please note: Applicants under 18 years of age will require parental consent to undertake this qualification.

  IT Requirements

  You will need to have access to a computer with at least Windows 10, Word, Excel, Adobe Reader and satellite broadband internet connection or similar. If you have a Mac computer, you will be asked to use MS Office for Mac, or to export documents to a MS Office compatible file.

  Basic computer skills such as the use of internet, email, and basic word processing skills are required.

  
  

  TRAINERS AND ASSESSORS

  Our trainers and assessors are highly qualified, experienced industry professionals, and experts in their field. Many of them manage their own farm businesses or offer various agricultural services to farmers as well as participate in regular professional development. They are committed to best practice and helping you to maximise your learning experience.

  Click here for more about the RuralBiz Training trainers.

  
  

  RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING AND CREDIT TRANFER

  Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process that acknowledges the experience and skills you have gained through previous work or study. This means you may receive recognition without needing additional training.

  If you have completed accredited training in the past, you might be eligible for direct credit transfer (CT). Contact us if you believe this applies to you.

  
  

  STUDENT SUPPORT

  You'll be supported all the way in your course. Your team will include:

  • You!
  • Your trainer
  • Your Guardian Angel - your mentor and cheer squad who helps resolve any issues related to your progress
  • LLN specialist - helps students who want a hand with reading, writing or number work, particularly in assessment tasks.

  
  

  ENROLMENT PROCESS

  • Online enrolment form: You are required to enrol online via our website into your chosen course of study. This enrolment includes the collection of details such as your USI, identity documents, government data collection details, Centrelink/concessions, prior education and whether you wish to apply for government-subsidised training, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or credit transfer. You will need to provide consent and other declarations.  
  • Pre-enrolment chat: We will have a brief discussion with you to ensure you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. During this call, we will ask about your farm access and enquire about any learning goals or special needs.
  • Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) assessment: You will need to complete an online LLN assessment to ensure you have the necessary literacy and numeracy skills to successfully complete the qualification you've applied for.
  • Fee subsidies and scholarships: We will check your eligibility for any available course fee subsidies or scholarships.
  • Course fee and payment options: You will be informed of your course fee and provided with payment options.
  • Unit selection and training plan: We will assist you in selecting your units and creating a training plan tailored to your needs.
  • Online learning account and textbooks: Your account will be set up in RuralBiz Online and any textbooks required for your first unit will be mailed to you.

  This process usually takes 1-2 weeks. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our office at 02 6884 8812 or email us at admin@ruralbiztraining.com.au.

  For more details, please review our Student Handbook.

• Units

  The Diploma of Applied Agronomy requires 12 units of competency made up of 7 core units and 5 elective units. For the elective units, the following packaging rules must apply:

  • Three (3) units from electives listed below
  • Two (2) units from the remaining electives listed below, or any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course packaged at Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level.

  Elective units must ensure the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.

  Units available by training with their elective groups are listed below for the Diploma of Applied Agronomy.

  All units in the Diploma of Applied Agronomy listed on training.gov.au are available by RPL.

  Core Units
  AHCAGB521	Select and use agricultural technology
  AHCBAC509	Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and disease control in crops
  AHCBAC513	Apply plant biology to agronomic practices
  AHCBAC514	Design and manage a crop or pasture nutrition program
  AHCBUS408	Operate within a budget framework
  AHCSOL508	Manage soils to enhance sustainability
  AHCWKR313	Write and present reports
  Elective Units
  AHCBAC512	Develop production plans for crops or pastures
  AHCBUS518	Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports
  AHCCHM501	Develop and manage a chemical use strategy
  AHCPCM507	Diagnose plant health problems
  AHCPHT511	Develop a horticultural production plan
  AHCSOL505	Monitor and manage soils for production

• Cost

  COURSE FEES & SUBSIDIES

  The cost of this course will vary based on the availability of state subsidies and your eligibility.
  For a summary of our current course fees and available subsidies, please CLICK HERE or contact our office for more details.

  PAYMENT OPTIONS

  Payment plan

  Want to make smaller, regular payments throughout your course?

  The payment plan option consists of establishing a direct debit for payments deducted weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly from your nominated bank account or credit card, across the duration of your enrolment. There is a $13.64 establishment fee and an administration charge (Amex, Debt Collection: 5.5% or Direct Debit: 4.5%) on all payment plans. The establishment fee is paid in your first instalment and the administration fee becomes part of your scheduled deduction. Payment plans are administered by DebitSuccess – www.debitsuccess.com.au

  Up front payment

  Individual students can pay up to $1,500 of their course fee up-front. An employer or organisation can pay up to 100% of a student's course fee up-front if they are an employee or member of the organisation.

• Delivery

  FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING

  You will use our online learning platform, RuralBiz Online, to study at your own pace and at times that suit you. The platform offers a variety of resources, including interactive content, videos, quizzes, forums, and links to additional useful websites.

  • Any required textbooks will be mailed to you at the begining of each unit.
  • If your unit requires specific software, a license for this will be provided to you for the duration of that unit.
  • There are no exams or residence schools, instead you will upload your assessments and receive feedback directly from our expert trainers.

  ASSESSMENT

  Your assessment tasks are designed to help you apply your learning directly to your own farm. Often, you will create valuable resources for ongoing use in your business, such as an e-Farm Plan that can be easily updated, or business, cropping, or livestock plans.

  Past students have found that they continue to use and adapt these plans well after they have completed their qualification.

  You will also participate in an AgForum for each unit—an online discussion where you can engage with other students about current issues in agriculture. AgForums are a great opportunity to network with peers from across Australia and share information. They also serve as one of the ways we assess your speaking and listening skills.

  YOUR PROGRESS

  At enrolment, we work with you to design an individual training plan that meets your needs and adheres to the course requirements, allowing you to complete your course within the 2-year time frame, or sooner, if you want to progress more quickly.

  We understand that farmers have busy periods throughout the year depending on their location and type of farming. Additionally we recognise that personal issues may require some students to take breaks during their course.

  If you find that you are unable to keep to your training plan, you can talk to your guardian angel and amend your plan as needed.

  Remember, we’re here to support you and make your study experience as manageable as possible!

• Benefits

  KEY BENEFITS

  • Flexible learning: Self-paced online study that fits with your life and works around peak production times like harvest.
  • Training is delivered to you: Accessible wherever you have internet access.
  • Nationally recognised and accredited qualifications: Credentials that are recognized across the country.
  • No travel time or travel costs: Save time and money with no need for travel.
  • Practical learning: Relevant to your farm enterprise.
  • Industry approved training: Training that meets industry standards and expectations.
  • Access to top Trainers: Learn from trainers who are experienced farmers themselves.
  • Personal Guardian Angel: Dedicated support throughout your training.
  • Continuity of training: Continue your studies even if you’re travelling, affected by floods or faced with any other unexpected circumstances.
  • Online assessments: Submit all assessments online.
• Pathways

  Further Education or Training:

  Further training pathways from this Qualification include, but are not limited to:

  • AHC60319 Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management
  • Various University Degrees
    Note: you may receive credit for some of the units completed in your Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualifications. Contact the university of your choice to find out more.

  EMPLOYMENT

  Job roles vary across different industry sectors. Possible job titles relevant to this qualification include:

  • Agronomist
  • Farm production manager
  • Production unit manager
  • Station/property manager