HomeCoursesHorticultureCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Irrigation Technology
You learn to install and look after the systems that deliver water to crops, parks, sports fields and gardens.
- How long it takes
- 2 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,190
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $17,390
- Main job
- Irrigation Technician
- $75,400 (estimate) median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 2 providers
- NSW, SA
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Irrigation Technology asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in practical outdoor work
- a willingness to troubleshoot rather than follow a fixed routine
- an eye for detail when reading plans and checking systems
- a careful approach to safety and the environment
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Irrigation Technician
Irrigation technicians install and service the systems that deliver water to crops, gardens and sports fields, keeping plants supplied without wasting water.
What else you need
A trade level qualification with no formal entry requirements. Some irrigation electrical or backflow work may need separate licences that this award does not confer.
Median pay$75,400 (estimate)
In demand
If you study further
Diploma of Arboriculture
Leads to work as an, median pay $72,800 (estimate).
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 $2,190
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$17,390
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,190 | $240 | $17,390 | 2 years |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,190
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $17,390
- How long
- 2 years
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 2 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.
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
Ryde Campus, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How long
- 2 years
- Fee
- From $2,190 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Aro College (opens in a new tab)
Aro College
ARO College – RTO 40056., SA
4.1from 14 Google reviews
What you’ll learn
22 units: 9 that everyone takes and 13 you choose.
- Reading irrigation plans
- Installing pressurised pipework
- Fitting and testing pumps
- Extra low voltage wiring
- Soil and moisture monitoring
- Troubleshooting system faults
See all 9 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.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It suits people who like practical outdoor work and are happy to troubleshoot rather than follow a fixed routine. You learn to install and look after irrigation systems, working under broad supervision, and it leads to the role of Irrigation Technician.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.