Future Course Details

Please note that the information shown below is for a future version of the course. This content is relevant from the 9th of June, 2025.

Version Effective: 9th of June, 2025
Version Effective: 9th of June, 2025

AHC31424 - Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification provides the skills and theoretical and practical knowledge for work or further learning in the conservation and ecosystem management industry. The qualification provides for work roles encompassing a broad range of skills, or can be focussed on one or more specialisations, including:

  • Indigenous land management
  • Ecological restoration
  • Land, parks and wildlife management
  • Pest controller
  • Conservation earthworks
  • Marine
  • Fire
  • Mined land rehabilitation

Individuals with this qualification perform a range of conservation and ecosystem management activities including, site restoration, rehabilitation and renewal and management of the rural and natural landscapes, degraded sites, and marine environments. They contribute to the preservation and maintenance of wildlife and their habitat in the natural ecosystem, parks and reserves. Activities frequently involve working with and preservation of indigenous culture and heritage resources.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.


Entry Requirements

Students are required to have completed the literacy and numeracy assessment pre-enrolment in the form of the Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) online literacy and numeracy assessment or an equal or higher level course.

There are no other entry requirements for this qualification.


Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire
Study Area
  • Science and Environment
Skill Area
  • Horticulture
AQF Level Level 3: Certificate III

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Individuals with this qualification perform a range of conservation and ecosystem management activities including, site restoration, rehabilitation and renewal and management of the rural and natural landscapes, degraded sites, and marine environments. They contribute to the preservation and maintenance of wildlife and their habitat in the natural ecosystem, parks and reserves. Activities frequently involve working with and preservation of indigenous culture and heritage resources.

Course Structures

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete 2 core units
  2. Complete 14 elective units

Study Mode Definitions

  • Online: Online courses provide the flexibility to study without normally requiring a student to visit a campus. Course content is studied through a number of means including the use of online discussion forums, electronic library resources, by contacting lecturers and teachers, and receiving study materials online/electronically. Work integrated learning, including placements, may be included in some courses.
  • On-campus: Students studying in on-campus mode typically are expected to attend and participate in regular, structured on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the University’s academic term. These activities may include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practice, online or other activities and normally will be timetabled at a CQUniversity campus or approved delivery site.
  • Mixed Mode: Students studying in mixed mode will participate in a combination of online learning activities in addition to site-specific learning activities, which may include residential schools, co-op placements and/or work-integrated learning as a compulsory requirement of a unit. The additional site-specific learning activities are what differentiates a mixed-mode unit from an online unit.

*All study modes may include Vocational placement and/or work integrated learning.

Select a course structure below to view the delivery details, including the different study modes offered for each structure.

Please select a course structure from the options below:
Mainstream Course Structure

Students have the option of choosing ONE stream (Standard, Nursery or Parks). Students MUST ONLY enrol in the units under their chosen stream to qualify for the full certificate, to meet the training package rules.  

  • Mixed Mode
Standard Stream - General Conservation Eco-System Course

Students wanting to study a general conservation eco-system course, should followed the unit enrolment sequence as specified below.

AHCCHM307 and AHCCHM304 MUST be enrolled in and studied together.  

AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPCM303 Identify plant specimens More Information Training.gov Details
AHCSAW202 Recognise landforms and soil types More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPMG301 Control weeds More Information Training.gov Details
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases More Information Training.gov Details
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR309 Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWRK317 Coordinate work site activities More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR302 Collect and preserve biological samples More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR301 Maintain native ecosystem areas More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR305 Collect Native Seed More Information Training.gov Details
AHCSAW304 Implement erosion and sediment control measures More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR311 Implement ecosystem reconstruction works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPCM307 Report on health and condition of trees More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPGD307 Implement a plant establishment program More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWRK320 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details
Nursery Stream

Students wanting to study a more nursery focused conservation ecosystem course, should followed the unit enrolment sequence as specified below.

AHCCHM307 and AHCCHM304 MUST be enrolled in and studied together.  

AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPCM303 Identify plant specimens More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPMG301 Control weeds More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPMG302 Control plant pests, diseases and disorders More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR309 Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases More Information Training.gov Details
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR301 Maintain native ecosystem areas More Information Training.gov Details
AHCMOM304 Operate machinery and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR305 Collect Native Seed More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR302 Collect and preserve biological samples More Information Training.gov Details
AHCNSY313 Implement a propagation plan More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR311 Implement ecosystem reconstruction works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCNSY308 Maintain nursery plants More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPCM307 Report on health and condition of trees More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWRK320 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details
Park Stream

Students wanting to study a more parks focused conservation ecosystem course, should followed the unit enrolment sequence as specified below.

AHCCHM307 and AHCCHM304 MUST be enrolled in and studied together.  

AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPCM303 Identify plant specimens More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPMG301 Control weeds More Information Training.gov Details
AHCSAW202 Recognise landforms and soil types More Information Training.gov Details
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases More Information Training.gov Details
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR309 Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR301 Maintain native ecosystem areas More Information Training.gov Details
AHCMOM304 Operate machinery and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWRK315 Respond to emergencies More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPGD311 Conduct operational inspection of park facilities More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR311 Implement ecosystem reconstruction works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCLSC311 Set out site for construction works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPGD307 Implement a plant establishment program More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPCM307 Report on health and condition of trees More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWRK320 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Below is the recommended study sequence for this course. Please enrol in your units as per the following order.
Units with the same sequence number should be enrolled into at the same time.
Sequence Unit
1 AHCWHS302 - Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
1 AHCPCM303 - Identify plant specimens
1 AHCWHS302 - Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
1 AHCPCM303 - Identify plant specimens
1 AHCWHS302 - Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
1 AHCPCM303 - Identify plant specimens
2 AHCSAW202 - Recognise landforms and soil types
2 AHCPMG301 - Control weeds
2 AHCPMG301 - Control weeds
2 AHCPMG302 - Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
2 AHCPMG301 - Control weeds
2 AHCSAW202 - Recognise landforms and soil types
3 AHCCHM307 - Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
3 AHCCHM304 - Transport and store chemicals
3 AHCECR309 - Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works
3 AHCECR309 - Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works
3 AHCCHM307 - Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
3 AHCCHM304 - Transport and store chemicals
3 AHCCHM307 - Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
3 AHCCHM304 - Transport and store chemicals
3 AHCECR309 - Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works
4 AHCWRK317 - Coordinate work site activities
4 AHCECR302 - Collect and preserve biological samples
4 AHCECR301 - Maintain native ecosystem areas
4 AHCECR301 - Maintain native ecosystem areas
4 AHCMOM304 - Operate machinery and equipment
4 AHCECR301 - Maintain native ecosystem areas
4 AHCMOM304 - Operate machinery and equipment
5 AHCECR305 - Collect Native Seed
5 AHCECR305 - Collect Native Seed
5 AHCECR302 - Collect and preserve biological samples
5 AHCWRK315 - Respond to emergencies
5 AHCPGD311 - Conduct operational inspection of park facilities
6 AHCSAW304 - Implement erosion and sediment control measures
6 AHCECR311 - Implement ecosystem reconstruction works
6 AHCNSY313 - Implement a propagation plan
6 AHCECR311 - Implement ecosystem reconstruction works
6 AHCECR311 - Implement ecosystem reconstruction works
6 AHCLSC311 - Set out site for construction works
7 AHCPCM307 - Report on health and condition of trees
7 AHCPGD307 - Implement a plant establishment program
7 AHCNSY308 - Maintain nursery plants
7 AHCPCM307 - Report on health and condition of trees
7 AHCPGD307 - Implement a plant establishment program
7 AHCPCM307 - Report on health and condition of trees
8 AHCWRK320 - Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
8 AHCWRK320 - Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
8 AHCWRK320 - Apply environmentally sustainable work practices


Trainee Course Structure

The Certificate III is a mixed mode program to be generally completed over a one to two years, depending on employer requirements.  Some students may progress at a faster rate based on their experience, knowledge, and skills, as they would be able to apply the actual context of workplace experience to their assessments.

  • Mixed Mode
Cluster 1
AHCPCM303 Identify plant specimens More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 2
AHCPMG301 Control weeds More Information Training.gov Details
AHCSAW202 Recognise landforms and soil types More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPMG302 Control plant pests, diseases and disorders More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 3
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR309 Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 4
AHCECR301 Maintain native ecosystem areas More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWRK317 Coordinate work site activities More Information Training.gov Details
AHCMOM304 Operate machinery and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 5
AHCECR302 Collect and preserve biological samples More Information Training.gov Details
AHCWRK315 Respond to emergencies More Information Training.gov Details
AHCECR305 Collect Native Seed More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPGD311 Conduct operational inspection of park facilities More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 6
AHCECR311 Implement ecosystem reconstruction works More Information Training.gov Details
AHCSAW304 Implement erosion and sediment control measures More Information Training.gov Details
AHCNSY313 Implement a propagation plan More Information Training.gov Details
AHCLSC311 Set out site for construction works More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 7
AHCPGD307 Implement a plant establishment program More Information Training.gov Details
AHCNSY308 Maintain nursery plants More Information Training.gov Details
AHCPCM307 Report on health and condition of trees More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 8
AHCWRK320 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

For the following units, you may choose your own order of study, while taking into account pre-requisite requirements and the unit availability.
Unit Code Unit Name
AHCPCM303 Identify plant specimens
AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
AHCPMG301 Control weeds
AHCSAW202 Recognise landforms and soil types
AHCPMG302 Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
AHCECR309 Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
AHCECR301 Maintain native ecosystem areas
AHCWRK317 Coordinate work site activities
AHCMOM304 Operate machinery and equipment
AHCECR302 Collect and preserve biological samples
AHCWRK315 Respond to emergencies
AHCECR305 Collect Native Seed
AHCPGD311 Conduct operational inspection of park facilities
AHCECR311 Implement ecosystem reconstruction works
AHCSAW304 Implement erosion and sediment control measures
AHCNSY313 Implement a propagation plan
AHCLSC311 Set out site for construction works
AHCPGD307 Implement a plant establishment program
AHCNSY308 Maintain nursery plants
AHCPCM307 Report on health and condition of trees
AHCWRK320 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices

Course Assessment Information

RPL - Students who have previous informal and formal learning need to advise their trainer/assessor prior to enrolment. If the student wishes to apply for an RPL they need to apply to the RPL Centre.
Credit transfer - If credit for relevant formal qualifications is sought, then the process will be actioned after the student has enrolled in at least one unit of competency as directed by the relevant trainer/assessor. The Trainer/Assessor will work with the student on their credit transfer application, and provide advice and support as necessary.
Assessment Types
Written/Electronic Assessment
Practical Task
Third Party Verification
Course Learning Outcomes
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