longerenong college | agriculture | conservation | land management

Advanced Diploma of Agriculture (RTE60103)

About the course

This nationally recognized two year full-time study program is for people wishing to pursue a career in a range of primary industries or agribusiness. The course has a strong hands-on approach with the first year program focusing heavily on practical skills especially in broadacre cropping and animal production. The second year of the course develops these practical skills and applies them in a business and management context.

An integral component of the second year program is an 8 week period of industry placement. The industry placement period allows the student to focus on a particular career direction. Students are able to identify potential employers, develop and implement a range of skills and gain a good understanding of how to become a valuable contributor to a farming or agribusiness enterprise.

What are the career outcomes?

Longerenong graduates are highly sought after by the rural and agribusiness industries. Graduates often find employment in many rural industry sectors such as:

agricultural contractor
agricultural machinery sales
agronomist
farm manager
livestock agent
rural financial services
rural merchandise sales
technical assistant in research

How do I gain a qualification?

The course has been designed to meet the qualifying requirements of the Advanced Diploma of Agriculture as part of the Rural Production Training Package (RTE03). Students must successfully complete a set number of competencies as prescribed by the Australian Qualifications Framework.

What do I study?

The course comprises a number of competencies from the nationally accredited Rural Production Training Package (RTE03). Students will be enrolled in both a Certificate II in Agriculture (RTE20103) and a Certificate IV in Agriculture (RTE40103) in first year. These courses run concurrently to reflect both the practical and theoretical content of the program.

Year 1 – RTE20103 Certificate II in Agriculture

Competency Code	Competency Name	Subject Name
RTC20106A	Recognise plants	*All of these competencies are included in the subject:* *“Agricultural Skills”*
RTC2209A	Install, maintain and repair fences
RTC2309A	Operate tractors
RTC2701A	Follow OHS procedures
RTC2702A	Observe environmental work practices
RTC2704A	Provide basic first aid
RTC2705A	Work effectively in the industry
RTC2801A	Participate in workplace communication
RTC3704A	Prepare and apply chemicals
RTC3705A	Transport, handle & store chemicals
RTE1103A	Support woolshed activities
RTE1105A	Undertake basic shearing & crutching
RTE2002A	Assist with prescribed burning
RTE2118A	Handle livestock using basic techniques
RTE2127A	Castrate livestock
RTE2142A	Collect & pack eggs for human consumption
RTE2146A	Mix & mill standard stockfeed
RTE2205A	Fabricate & repair metal or plastic structures
RTE2302A	Grind combs & cutters for machine shearing
RTE2308A	Operate ride-on vehicles
RTE2902A	Collect & record production data

Year 1 – RTE40103 Certificate IV in Agriculture

Competency Code	Competency Name	Subject Name
BSBADMN506A	Manage business document design and development	Communication skills I
BSBCMN405A	Analyse and present research information	Communication skills II
ICAUI211A	Operate accounting applications	Agricultural Accounting
RTC4701A	Implement and monitor the enterprise OHS program	Rural safety
RTD5402A	Develop a strategy for the management of target pests	Integrated Pest Management
RTE2110A	Maintain livestock water supplies	Farm Water Supply
RTE3113A	Identify & draft livestock	Animal Production
RTE4010A	Supervise agricultural crop maintenance	Crop Agronomy I
RTE4018A	Supervise agricultural crop establishment	Crop Agronomy II
RTE4104A	Develop livestock feeding plans	Animal Nutrition
RTE4119A	Supervise animal health programs	Animal Health
RTE4301A	Conduct major repair and overhaul of machinery and equipment	Mechanics
RTE5516A	Develop a whole farm plan	Whole Farm Planning
RTE5916A	Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports	Planning & Budgeting

Year 2 – RTE60103 Advanced Diploma of Agriculture

Competency Code	Competency Name	Subject Name
BSBMGT609A	Manage risk	Risk Management
RTC5914A	Prepare reports	Industry Placement
RTE4011A	Manage pasture for livestock production	Pasture Management
RTE5007A	Plan & manage a stored grain program	Grain Storage
RTE5014A	Manage agricultural crop production	Crop Agronomy III
RTE5101A	Develop & implement a breeding strategy	Animal Reproduction
RTE5909A	Develop a sales strategy for rural products	Rural Merchandising
RTE6501A	Manage the production system	Cropping & Grazing Management
RTE6503A	Design & conduct field based research trials	Conduct a Research Project
RTE6803A	Manage human resources	Human Resource Management
RTE6904A	Manage business capital	Business Management
RTE6908A	Design & manage the enterprise quality management system	Quality Assurance

How do I study?

Most students complete the course by full-time study. There are two semesters per year, each of 16 weeks. Timetabled sessions are a combination of lectures, practical activities, demonstrations and tours.

Part-time study is also available. People wishing to apply for part-time study will be assessed on an individual basis.

Gaining admission to the program

This course is open to people who meet one of the following minimum criteria:

a pass in the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent qualification interstate;
completion of a TAFE Certificate III in Agriculture or above; or
mature age entry (at least 21 years of age) and demonstrated aptitude for the course.

Can I get credit for previous study/experience?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the acknowledgement of skills and knowledge obtained through formal training, work experience and/or life experience. If you believe you are able to demonstrate the required level of competence in a unit you can apply for RPL by contacting the Student Administration Officer.

Credit Transfer (CT) is when the same unit of competency is completed within another program or within the same program but with another institution. No fees apply for CT.

When can I start?

The full-time course commences in the second week of February each year.

Students wishing to enrol part-time may commence subjects at the beginning of each Semester.

How do I apply?

Students enter the course by direct application to Longerenong College. Direct application forms are available by contacting the Student Administration Officer.

Fees and charges

Tuition fees for government funded courses are in accordance with the Ministerial Direction on Fees and Charges.

The Student Administration Officer can provide information regarding the course fees.

Need further information?

Contact the Student Administration Officer:

Email: info@longy.com.au
Ph: (03) 5362 2222
Toll Free: 1800 814 294
Fax: (03) 5362 2213

This training is delivered with Victorian Government funding.

Take me back to more course choices >>