Agriculture, Animals, Science and the Environment

Are you barking mad for animals?

Do you want to gain experience working with animals? This course is an entry point into the animal care industry and prepares you for job roles such as an animal attendant in a kennel, cattery, animal shelter, or pet shop.

Gain these skills

• care and maintenance of animals
• animal care industry
• practical experience with animals

90% of surveyed students were highly satisfied with this course.

Are you looking for a career working with animals?

When you complete the Certificate III in Animal Care Services, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge to work in a broad range of roles in the animal care industry, including boarding, dog day care, rescue shelters, pet sitting, dog walking, breeding establishments and other animal businesses.

Our Bentley Campus houses an animal care facility so you will be able to learn animal care in a simulated workplace with a range of animal species including dogs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, fish, budgerigars, cockatiels, and canaries.

Gain these skills:

• Identify animal behaviours
• Interact safely with animals
• Assess the welfare status of animals
• Comply with infection control policies/procedures
• Provide animal first aid
• Walk and exercise dogs
• Bath, dry and brush dogs
• Provide general care for dogs, rodents, rabbits, birds, fish, and reptiles

Enjoy a well-groomed career

This course will provide you with comprehensive training in all aspects of pet grooming services and qualifies you to work under supervision in a pet grooming establishment.

Gain these skills

• salon reception and housekeeping duties
• bathing, brushing, trimming and other grooming services for domestic pets, usually dogs and in some cases cats
• patience and genuine empathy for animals
• customer service skills
• cleanliness and professionalism.

This course builds a strong foundation for future employment in any facility offering pet grooming services including, mobile or shop front salons, veterinary clinics, boarding kennels and pet retail outlets. 

Applicants must have empathy for animals and possess the communication skills and physical ability to successfully perform work placement in the pet grooming industry.

Are you looking to join a school of fish lovers?

This qualification is the crucial first step towards an exciting career in aquaculture. This course provides students with a range of core skills and knowledge relevant to working in the aquaculture industry. Graduates go on to further studies or working in a range on environments including onshore aquaculture facilities, offshore culture facilities and the ornamental fish industry.

Gain these skills

• handling and harvesting stock,
• preparing stock for live transport,
• monitoring stock and environmental conditions,
• producing algal cultures, and
• working effectively in the seafood industry

Aquaculture is a fast-growing industry. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a report in 2018 stating that ‘aquaculture is fastest growing food production sector worldwide’. Typical entry-level jobs for those holding Certificate II include:

• Australian and overseas aquaculture farms
• hatcheries and nurseries   
• live post-harvest holding facilities, such as processing plants, wholesalers or 
• transporters, pet shops, public aquaria, zoos or other facilities with aquatic animals 

Study in a specialised facility in the maritime heart of Fremantle

Fremantle campus features extensive salt and freshwater aquaculture facilities, and experienced staff which offers plenty of relevant hands-on opportunities. Our staff have involved students in the culture and applied research projects of many marine and freshwater organisms over the last two decades including species such as abalone, dhufish, yellowtail kingfish, marron and barramundi.

Are you looking to join a school of fish lovers?

This course is ideal for those looking to expand on the skills and knowledge they gained in Certificate II in Aquaculture. It also comes packed with opportunities to upskill with either boating or diving skills. While a solid foundation in aquatic science is essential, the aquaculture sector prefers to hire staff with additional boating and/or diving qualifications.  

Gain these skills:

• care for and maintain fish stocks, culture and holding environments 
• installing or constructing stock culture or holding structures and other allied structures
• assessing and controlling biosecurity and stock health and treating aquatic stock for diseases
• monitoring and maintaining water quality
• co-ordinating feeding activities, handling and harvesting operations for aquatic stock
• operating high technology water treatment components
• implementing emergency procedures, occupational health and safety policies and guidelines

Further skills from the maritime industry

Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)

• commanding and operating a vessel less than 12 metres long with unlimited outboard engine propulsion, or inboard engines less than 100 kilowatts

Coxswain's can gain employment in the small vessel sector in commercial workboats, aquaculture, fisheries and tourism.

Specialist facilities in the maritime heart of Fremantle

Our Fremantle campus features a working aquaculture facility with hatchery tanks and filtration systems and is within convenient walking distance to the fishing industry in Fremantle. Our lecturers have a strong relationship with the Australian Centre for Applied Aquaculture Research (ACAAR) in the neighbouring facility.

This higher level qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to manage the operations of fish farms, marine farms and hatcheries. It is suitable for students that hold a certificate III in aquaculture or have substantial aquaculture industry experience.

Gain these skills:

• developing and implementing a breeding strategy
• planning ecologically sustainable practices
• biosecurity
• managing stock health
• developing a stock production plan and
• managing an aquaculture research trial

You will also learn skills in planning and designing a water supply and disposal system, and stock culture systems and structures. You will learn the skills necessary to supervise and manage staff.

The environments in which our graduates work include:

• aquaculture farms or fishout/put-and-take operations
• hatcheries and nurseries
• live post-harvest holding facilities, such as processing plants, wholesalers or transporters
• pet shops, public aquaria, zoos or other facilities with aquatic animals

Study in a specialised facility in the maritime heart of Fremantle:

Fremantle campus features extensive salt and freshwater aquaculture facilities, and experienced staff which offers plenty of relevant hands-on opportunities. Our staff have involved students in the culture and applied research projects of many marine and freshwater organisms over the last two decades including species such as abalone, dhufish, yellowtail kingfish, marron and barramundi.

Fancy a career outdoors?

Branch out with a Certificate III in Arboriculture and combine your love of the outdoors with a fascinating career as an arborist.

Gain a range of knowledge and skills to undertake arboriculture related work, and use this qualification as a pathway for further learning required to become an arborist. You will cover both ground-based work and working at heights.

Learn these skills:

• tree identification
• pruning operations
• using and maintaining arboriculture equipment 
• first aid 
• workplace safety and health

This course is for people who use pesticides with powered and hand-held application equipment. You will gain the skills and knowledge to apply, transport and store chemicals safely.

Gain these skills:

• determine the need for chemical use
• identify the appropriate chemical
• prepare for chemical use according to label and MSDS
• identify conditions for safely applying chemicals
• list procedures for cleaning up following chemical application
• record application details
• determine how to transport and handle chemicals
• identify how to store chemicals safely
• record storage details 
• read and interpret label and MSDS directions for safe transport, handling and storage

Competency units covered in this course:

• OAL84AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
• BAP97 AHCPMG301 Control Weeds
• BAN70 AHCCHM304 Transport and Store Chemicals

Upcoming dates

You can start anytime in the online study component of this course. Attendance on campus will be arranged with your lecturer after you enrol.

Are you looking for a career working in a sustainable, growing industry?

SM TAFE's conservation and land management qualifications focus on sustainability and sustainable development.

Gain these skills: 

• operating machinery
• recognising flora and fauna
• planting shrubs and trees 
• organising propagation 
• restoring and maintaining wildlife habitat refuges
• treating weeds
• safely handling chemicals
• implementing workplace safety and health measures

Are you looking for a career working with plants and animals?

This course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed within the conservation industry, to enter the work force in either private, local or state government sectors.

Gain these skills:

• conduct ecological and cultural site inspections
• maintain native ecosystems
• Implement biological reintroduction
• implement revegetation and natural area restoration works
• safely prepare, apply, transport and store chemicals,
• treat weeds, plant pests and disorders
• identify plants, collect seed and propagate plants
• operate machinery and workplace safety and health

Please note: Conservation and Ecosystem Management involves physical labour and students will be required to demonstrate a reasonable level of fitness and mobility.

Are you looking to further your career within the Conservation and Ecosystem Management Industry?

When you complete the Certificate IV in Conservation and Ecosystem Management you develop post-trade skills and a broad knowledge of the industry prior to undertaking higher level roles in conservation and ecosystem management.

Gain these skills:

• conduct site inspections for ecological restoration works and plan the implementation of revegetation
• produce land management maps
• recommend plants and cultural practices
• identify pests and develop pest management plans for the natural area
• safely prepare, apply, transport and store chemicals,
• treat weeds, plant pests and disorders

Learn in specialised facilities

South Metropolitan TAFE's Murdoch Campus has extensive horticulture facilities, including large work sheds and sheltered nursery areas. The large grounds area surrounding Murdoch Campus also provides ample practice areas for students.

Build your career from the ground up!

If you are passionate about the environment, sustainable practices, or an avid home gardener who is interested in plants, this course is for you. Launch your horticulture career, and brush up on your skills by completing this entry-level qualification to unearth your inner green thumb.

Horticulture is one of the fastest growing industries in Australia with the sector playing an important role in delivering economic, social and environmental value. 

Gain these skills:

• plant identification and care
• improving soil conditions
• operating machinery and equipment
• propagating
• pruning and fertilising
• maintaining gardens and nurseries, and
• workplace safety and health
• treat plant pests, diseases and disorders
• assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing
• apply chemicals under supervision
• assist with low volume irrigation operations
• undertake propagation activities
• care for nursery plants
• support turf establishment

Establish your career from the ground up!

When you complete the Certificate III in Horticulture you will be ready for a career working with plants as school or council gardener, groundskeeper, or self-employed landscaper. Whether you are an avid home gardener interested in plants, and/or sustainability and the environment, this course is for you!

Unearth your inner green thumb and establish your career in Horticulture with lecturers who are experts in the industry.

Gain these skills:

• implement propagation plans
• control weeds, pests, and diseases
• safely prepare, store, and apply chemicals
• install irrigation
• create plant displays
• plant identification and nutrition, and
• workplace safety and health
• implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
• implement a plant nutrition program
• prune shrubs and small trees
• implement a grassed area maintenance program

Please note: Horticulture involves physical labour and students will be required to demonstrate a reasonable level of fitness and mobility.

Sow the seeds of a supervisory role

This course provides graduates with skills suited to a variety of occupations at a supervisor level or as a small business owner. Employment prospects exist in local and state government, nursery and turf, floriculture, gardening and the landscape industry. You can choose to learn skills from a range of subjects that enable you to cost and supervise projects, develop and implement programs and provide training. You can also choose subjects that will further develop your technical expertise in horticulture.

It is a requirement that students provide their own Wifi-enabled Laptop (capable of word processing etc) . Enrolled students will have access to Office 365.

Gain these skills:

• cost a project
• implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems
• schedule irrigations
• identify plant specimens
• recommend plants and cultural practices
• perform specialist amenity pruning
• design plant displays
• plan a plant establishment program
• control weeds
• sample soils and interpret results
• produce complex desktop published documents

See our Horticulture Facebook page @murdochstudentgardencentre(opens in a new tab) to see what you will do when you study this course, such as hosting plant sales and providing customer service to retail customers.

This course provides graduates with skills suited to a variety of occupations at a management level. Employment prospects exist in local government, state government, nursery and turf, floriculture, gardening and the landscape industry.

It is a requirement that students provide their own Wifi-enabled Laptop (capable of word processing etc) . Enrolled students will be have access to Office 365.

You can apply for this competitive course directly through TAFE admissions.

Apply now!

Prepare your competitive course application ahead of time.

See our apply and enrol page for more information.

Are you a budding scientist?

Launch your career in science with this entry-level course that qualifies you to work as a laboratory assistant in food technology, pathology, schools or trades.

Gain these skills

• collect and prepare samples
• measure and record the results of experiments
• maintain and work in a laboratory in the physical, chemical, biological and life sciences

Build on your Certificate III in Laboratory Skills with units in quality control, performance of instrumental and non-instrumental tests, standardisation and use of solutions. This qualification will give you the skills to work as a technical assistant, technician or instrument operator.

Gain these skills:

• process and interpret data
• maintain and calibrate instruments and equipment
• apply quality system and continuous improvement processes
• maintain laboratory or field workplace safety
• receive and prepare samples for testing
• prepare practical science classes and demonstrations
• use laboratory application software
• prepare working solutions
• perform aseptic techniques
• perform microscopic examination
• perform microbiological tests

This qualification reflects the role of workers who apply a range of laboratory technologies to conduct scientific-technical tests in most industry sectors, utilising specialist technical knowledge.

Learn to analyse, process and interpret data, report results and apply quality system and continuous improvement processes. Your skills will be transferable across a range of industries such as chemical, medical and pathological, mining, biological and environmental fields.

Gain these skills:

• use laboratory application software
• plan and conduct laboratory/field work
• communicate and provide information to customers
• analyse, process and interpret data
• report results
• apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

Your career outdoors is calling

This qualification provides the practical skills and knowledge to construct, renovate and maintain garden landscapes.

Training is provided in the areas of hard landscaping, irrigation, plant knowledge, soil nutrition, turf maintenance, landscape machinery use and horticultural safety, building on the skills gained in the Certificate II in Landscaping.

Gain these skills:

• select materials and plants for landscape projects
• set-out and landscape a range of sites
• construct stone, brick, block and timber structures and features
• learn about irrigation installation and troubleshooting 
• safety in the workplace

Please note: Landscaping involves physical labour and students will be required to demonstrate a reasonable level of fitness and mobility.

90% of surveyed students were highly satisfied with this course.

The Certificate IV in Landscape Design course gives you a range of the skills and knowledge needed to work as a landscape designer. 

Gain these skills

• consult with clients to determine project parameters
• assess and analyse landscape sites for landscape design development
• apply information on the history and theory of design to landscape projects
• produce simple landscape drawings, including planting and hard-landscaping plans
• use a range of technical drawing techniques, including 2D and 3D computer-aided drafting
• apply basic construction practices and principles to landscape designs
• interpret irrigation plans and drawings, applying hydro zoning and waterwise principles
• identify and recommend plants for a range of conditions and applications
• identify and recommend soil improvements for garden and turf areas
• cost and schedule landscape projects

Wish to work as pest management technician? If so, you will need to be licensed.

This skillset allows students to complete the “CPPUPM3006 Manage pests by applying pesticides” unit of competency required to apply for a “Western Australia Provisional Pest Management Technician Licence”.

This course is aimed at workers who are currently employed in the Urban Pest Management industry. 

Gain these skills:

•    applying pesticides to manage a range of non-timber pests such as ants, cockroaches, rodents and spiders
•    selecting appropriate equipment, pesticides and application methods to safely and efficiently manage pests

Note: this unit does not cover inspecting for, or managing timber pests, or non-chemical pest management where the environment is modified to manage pests 

Next dates for delivery

Semester 2 2022

• 19 July - 22 July
• 19 September - 22 September
• 31 October - 3 November

Academic Calendar 2022

This course is suitable for people who operate chainsaws in an urban environment (it does not cover remote operators working in state forest).

Gain these skills:

• how to cross-cut fallen timber and the cutting techniques to maximise volume and quality recovery
• complying with the mandatory codes of practice and legislation to safely operate a chainsaw in the workplace
• application of skills and knowledge to cross-cut fallen timber 
• identify cutting techniques to maximise volume and quality recovery 
• comply with mandatory codes of practice and relevant legislation to safely operate chainsaws in the workplace along with duty of care to self, others and the environment 

This course has multiple start dates throughout the year, please express your interest below for information about the next intake. 

This qualification provides a vocational outcome in parks and gardens.  The parks and gardens industry expects this qualification to be achieved to meet job outcomes at this level. Job roles and titles vary across different industry sectors.

Gain these skills:

• implement a plant nutrition program
• provide information on plants and their culture
• control weeds
• control plant pests, diseases and disorders
• contribute to work health and safety processes

Learn the fine art of greenkeeping

Join the sports turf industry at a level where you will be expected to curate and manage a wide range of turf and horticultural practices. A considerable amount of outdoor and physical activity is required while you apply your skills to green spaces such as golf courses, bowling clubs and elite sports facilities.

Gain these skills:

• manage safety issues and work site activities
• operate and maintain turf machinery and chainsaws
• irrigation installation, operation and maintenance
• installing drainage systems
• sample, test and improve soils
• plant nutrient application and monitoring
• safely preparing, applying, transporting and storing of chemicals
• controlling weeds, plant pests and disorders
• renovating turf, preparing turf surfaces for play and monitoring turf health

Sports turf management is a unique course to SM TAFE and proudly boasts three previous students have won the Western Australia Apprentice of the Year in the WA Training Awards.

Do you have what it takes to offer the best in urban pest management?

This qualification will provide students with the practical skills and knowledge to apply pesticides and carry out appropriate pest management treatments for domestic and commercial properties.

This course is for existing workers who are currently and actively employed in the Urban Pest Management industry. It will provide you with the skills to apply for a full pest management license*.

Gain these skills

• inspect for, report on and control timber pests
• install termite management systems
• maintain service and repair pest management equipment and maintain equipment and pesticide storage areas in pest management vehicles
• responding to enquiries and complaints
• manage pests without applying pesticides
• assess and advise on pest management options for sensitive operations and Implement and monitor pest management plans for sensitive operations

2022 Academic Calendar

Want a career caring for animals?

When you complete the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing you will be ready for a career as a veterinary nurse, or animal welfare worker.

Gain these skills

• work effectively in a veterinary practice
• provide care to a wide variety of animals
• assist with surgery preparation and procedures
• perform pathology and imaging procedures
• provide post-surgery care and advice
• workplace safety and health

This course is popular and highly competitive to get into. Please ensure you enter all your work and work experience, both related to the field and unrelated, in your application.