HomeCoursesHorticultureCertificate III in Arboriculture
Certificate III in Arboriculture
This qualification prepares you for trade-level work in arboriculture, the practical side of looking after trees in parks, streets, backyards and bushland.
- Duration: 2 years
- Study mode: On campus
- Course code: AHC30824
Where you can study this course
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
- Campuses
- 13 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.
- Campuses
- 3 campuses
- Duration
- 2 years
- Study mode
- On campus
- Full fee
- $24,000
- Eligible students: subsidised from $2,190, concession $240
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
- Campuses
- 26 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
South Metropolitan TAFE
- Campuses
- 14 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on both teaching and campus facilities. Some also found student support frustrating to access.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
South Regional TAFE
- Campuses
- Albany
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Apprentice - classroom
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Wodonga Institute of TAFE
- Campuses
- 4 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, and many value the student support. Some found communication and organisation frustrating, which matters if you want clear, smooth admin.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- a genuine interest in trees and how they grow
- a careful approach to safety at heights and below
- good hand skills for using and maintaining chainsaws
- an eye for detail when inspecting trees and branches
What will you learn?
You learn to prune and shape canopies, inspect trees before anyone climbs them, fell and cut up trees, and rig ropes and gear from the ground to control how branches come down. Because much of the job happens at height or directly below someone who is, safety procedures run through everything you practise, along with the rules that some states and territories place on treating or removing trees. You also cover identifying tree species, keeping chainsaws running safely, and first aid.
- Identifying tree species
- Pruning and canopy work
- Felling trees safely
- Tree inspection and risk
- Chainsaw care and use
- Ground rigging and ropes
Units of competency (9 core, 9 elective)
The qualification is made up of 18 units. Everyone completes the 9 core units below, and the remaining 9 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
Loading the details for AHCARB213…
Loading the details for AHCARB213…
Career pathways
Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.
A recognised route into Arborist
Arborist
Arborists assess, prune and remove trees, keeping them healthy and safe around the people, buildings and powerlines below them.
Explore this career →- Weekly pay
- $1,400
- Full-time share
- 80%
- Employment size
- 5,600 workers
- Average age
- 36 years
- Average full-time hours
- 40 hours
- Gender share
- 3% female
- Future growth
- +6%
- Job market
- In shortage (regional)
Complete trade-level arboriculture training and meet applicable tree-work rules and high-risk activity requirements; the award alone does not authorise every operation.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).