Is this a school qualification?

It is commonly delivered that way - the register names VET programs for secondary school students as an intended audience, alongside learners with no previous connection to horticulture.

Should I do this or go straight to the Certificate III?

AHC30722 has no entry requirements, so you can start there. This suits school programs and people with no industry background at all. The Certificate III adds chemical handling and machinery operation at a level that carries licensing consequences.

Does it cover chemical use?

Only at the level of treating weeds and pests under supervision. The Certificate III adds transporting, storing and applying chemicals as core units, and those attach to state licensing requirements.

Are there entry requirements?

No. The register records none for AHC20422.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. School-delivered programs are often free to the student.

AHC20422 Certificate II in Horticulture

About this qualification

AHC20422 is the way in to horticulture. The register describes “routine tasks under supervision where the work is predictable and structured with limited judgement requirements”, and is unusually specific about who it is for: “VET programs delivered to secondary school students or learners with no previous connection to the horticulture industry”.

Fifteen units, eight core: operating basic machinery, recognising plants, planting trees and shrubs, treating weeds, treating plant pests and diseases, assisting with soil sampling, workplace health and safety, and environmentally sustainable work practices.

Compare that with the Certificate III and the progression is exact. Here you treat weeds and recognise plants; at AHC30722 you control weeds and identify and select plants. And the chemical units move from assisting to transporting, storing and applying.

That last shift is the significant one — the Certificate III carries two chemical handling core units with state licensing attached. This one does not.

Roles it maps to

Roles described on the national register for AHC20422.

Horticulture Assistant Garden Labourer Nursery Assistant Grounds Assistant

Where it sits

The horticulture line, from entry through to management.

Certificate II · you are hereAHC20422 Horticulture
Certificate IIIAHC30722 Horticulture
DiplomaAHC50422 Horticulture Management

What it covers

8Core units

7Elective units

Fifteen units in total: eight core plus seven electives, chosen so they maintain the integrity of the AQF alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.

The 8 core units, required by everyone:

AHCMOM203 Operate basic machinery and equipment
AHCPCM204 Recognise plants
AHCPGD207 Plant trees and shrubs
AHCPMG201 Treat weeds
AHCPMG202 Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders
AHCSOL203 Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing
AHCWHS202 Participate in workplace health and safety processes
AHCWRK211 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Is this a school qualification?: It is commonly delivered that way — the register names VET programs for secondary school students as an intended audience, alongside learners with no previous connection to horticulture.
Should I do this or go straight to the Certificate III?: AHC30722 has no entry requirements, so you can start there. This suits school programs and people with no industry background at all. The Certificate III adds chemical handling and machinery operation at a level that carries licensing consequences.
Does it cover chemical use?: Only at the level of treating weeds and pests under supervision. The Certificate III adds transporting, storing and applying chemicals as core units, and those attach to state licensing requirements.
Are there entry requirements?: No. The register records none for AHC20422.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. School-delivered programs are often free to the student.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · QLD
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
VIC

The Management EdgeRTO 3927

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Joblink PlusRTO 91434

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Open CollegesRTO 90796

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Australian Trade Training CollegeRTO 31399

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Axiom Syndicate Pty LtdRTO 40489

Deliver and assess · National
VIC

WISE Employment LtdRTO 6653

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Innovative Learning SolutionsRTO 91812

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Worklinks QLD LtdRTO 30622

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Martyr Training ServicesRTO 31279

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 82 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

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Certificate II in Horticulture

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