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Certificate II · national qualification

Certificate II in Horticulture

This is a starting point for people with no background in horticulture, from school students to career changers.

Compare 26 providers
How long it takes
6 to 12 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $1,120
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $6,860
How you can study
Online, on campus or on the job
Taught by
26 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate II in Horticulture asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in plants and how they grow
  • a willingness to work outdoors in all weather
  • good communication skills for working in a team
  • care and attention when using machinery and tools

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs this course can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

  • Caretaker

    A caretaker keeps a building and its grounds clean, safe and in working order, handling the small repairs, security checks and upkeep a property needs each day.

    Median pay$71,900

  • Gardener

    Gardeners plant, prune and maintain the gardens and green spaces around homes, parks, schools and businesses, keeping them healthy through the seasons.

    Median pay$59,800 (estimate)

    In demand

If you study further

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $1,120

at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$6,817 to $6,860

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $1,120
    Concession
    $160
    Full fee
    $6,860
    How long
    6 to 12 months

  • Holmesglen InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $2,684
    Concession
    $537
    Full fee
    $6,817

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.

Where you can study this course

There are 26 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

15 units: 8 that everyone takes and 7 you choose.

  • Identifying common plants
  • Planting trees and shrubs
  • Weed control
  • Pest and disease control
  • Soil and growing media testing
  • Workplace health and safety
See all 8 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

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Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.