Course description
The Certificate IV in Agriculture contains 5 groups of units.
Group 1 contains modules addressing the key technical, supervisory and
planning functions that have been designated for the Agriculture
specialisation at AQF level 4. These modules directly align to the units
of competency in Group B in the Training Package. Learners must complete
at least ten but no more than twelve units from this group.
Group 2 contains units addressing relevant units of competency at AQF
levels 3, 4 or Diploma from the Conservation and Land Management Training
Package (RTD02), the Rural Production Training Package (RTE03), the
Amenity Horticulture Training Package (RTF03) and/or any other endorsed
Training Packages. These units directly align to the units of competency
in Group C in the Training Package. Learners may complete a maximum of two
However learners should remember that to receive the Certificate IV in
Agriculture, 12 units must be completed and at least 10 of the units
presented for this qualification must relate to agriculture work
procedures, activities or contexts. In addition, at least 10 of the units
selected to make up this qualification must be aligned clearly to units of
outcomes. Elective units should be selected in accordance with local work
undertaken and local industry advice.
Groups 1 and 2 contain units that directly align with the respective units
competency. To complete these units, learners must be able to present
evidence to prove they can achieve the unit of competency. The course
completion requirements specify the units that must be completed for the
learner to achieve the qualification.
Group 777 is an enrichment group that contains 'shell' units which allow
students to complete NSW developed chemical units. These units do not
count towards course completion.
Group 778 is an enrichment group that contains 'shell' units which allow
students to complete NSW developed salinity units. These units do not count
towards course completion.
Group 887 is an enrichment group that contains units which provide
underpinning knowledge and skills to support other units in this course.
These units do not count towards course completion.
Learners requiring additional/tutorial support should be co-enrolled in the
fee-exempt Learner Support course 9999. This course provides up to 36
actual hours of support across all AQF levels.
The nominal duration of each unit is indicative only and is based on
face-to-face delivery mode with time allocated to evaluate the evidence
presented by the learner.
Course Elective Completion:
At least 12 elective modules/units must be completed. These may be chosen from groups 1, 2
Group 1
At least 10 and no more than 12 module/units must be completed
Modules/Units Name Hrs
BSBADM402A Produce complex business documents 40
BSBADM405A Organise meetings 30
BSBADM407A Administer projects 30
BSBADM506A Manage business document design and development 40
BSBCMN405A Analyse and present research information 30
BSBCMN413A Implement and monitor environmental policies 40
BSBHR402A Recruit and select personnel 50
BSBSBM402A Undertake financial planning 40
BSBSBM403A Promote the business 50
BSBSBM405A Monitor and manage business operations 40
BSBSBM406A Manage finances 40
BSBSBM407A Manage a small team 40
RTC4306A Supervise maintenance of machinery and equipment 50
RTC4512A Prepare acid sulphate soil management plans 50
RTC4513A Supervise acid sulphate soil remediation and management projects 50
RTC4701A Implement and monitor the enterprise OHS program 15
RTC4702A Minimise risks in the use of chemicals 25
RTC4703A Plan and implement a chemical use program 25
RTC4905A Cost a project 40
RTC4908A Supervise work routines and staff performance 40
RTC4911A Operate within a budget framework 40
RTD4406A Implement pest management action plans 40
RTD4811A Provide information on environmental issues and policies 50
RTE3112A Handle and care for stallions 30
RTE3307A Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair 30
RTE3801A Provide on-job training support 30
RTE4002A Develop a crop regulation program 40
RTE4008A Maintain grain quality in storage 40
RTE4009A Plan a pasture establishment program 40
RTE4010A Supervise agricultural crop maintenance 40
RTE4011A Manage pastures for livestock production 40
RTE4012A Supervise horticultural crop harvesting 40
RTE4018A Supervise agricultural crop establishment 40
RTE4026A Supervise agricultural crop harvesting 40
RTE4101A Carry out stud stable management duties 60
RTE4102A Supervise feedlot operations 40
RTE4103A Determine wool classing strategies 40
RTE4104A Develop livestock feeding plans 40
RTE4105A Escort animals during export 40
RTE4106A Supervise raising young horses 60
RTE4107A Supervise artificial breeding and/or embryo transfer programs 40
RTE4108A Manage horses for stockwork 40
RTE4109A Oversee animal marking operations 40
RTE4110A Supervise natural mating of livestock 40
RTE4111A Manage shearing and crutching operations 30
RTE4112A Manage milking shed routines 40
RTE4114A Plan and monitor intensive production systems 40
RTE4115A Plan to exhibit livestock or fleece 40
RTE4116A Implement a feeding strategy for pig production 40
RTE4117A Implement intensive production systems 40
RTE4118A Develop feeding plans for an intensive production system 40
RTE4119A Supervise animal health programs 40
RTE4120A Implement and monitor animal welfare programs 40
RTE4123A Use individual fleece measurements to prepare wool for sale 30
RTE4124A Pregnancy test animals 40
RTE4125A Supervise nutrition and feeding in an intensive production system 40
RTE4127A Class wool for special markets 30
RTE4129A Apply advanced shearing techniques 80
RTE4202A Design livestock handling/accommodation facilities 40
RTE4203A Implement and monitor a property improvement plan 60
RTE4301A Conduct major repair and overhaul of machinery and equipment 40
RTE4302A Design and fabricate milking equipment installations 40
RTE4304A Install milking equipment 40
RTE4305A Performance test milking machines 40
RTE4307A Carry out cleaning-time tests of milking machines 40
RTE4309A Design and install on-farm milk cooling and storage 40
RTE4310A Conduct equipment experting for machine shearing 40
RTE4401A Control weeds, pests and/or diseases in crops 40
RTE4511A Develop a soil use map for a property 40
RTE4601A Acquire resources for irrigation installation and construction 40
RTE4602A Determine hydraulic parameters for an irrigation system 40
RTE4603A Implement an irrigation-related environmental protection program 40
RTE4604A Determine seasonal irrigation scheduling tasks 40
RTE4605A Schedule irrigations 40
RTE4606A Supervise on-site irrigation and construction work 40
RTE4607A Plan on site irrigation system installation and construction work 40
RTE4608A Plan and co ordinate gravity-fed irrigation systems 40
RTE4609A Implement, monitor and adjust irrigation schedules 40
RTE4801A Provide advice on marketing the clip 30
RTE4812A Coordinate customer service and network activities 40
RTE4813A Provide information and advice on wool preparation 30
RTE4901A Administer finance, insurance and legal requirements 60
RTE4902A Support and review business structures and relationships 50
RTE4903A Arrange transport for grain or livestock 40
RTE4904A Arrange employment for shearing operations 20
RTE4913A Analyse and interpret production data 40
RTE4914A Participate in an e-business supply chain 40
RTE4915A Implement and monitor quality assurance procedures 30
RTE4916A Prepare shearing team wages 20
RTE4917A Account for shearing shed supplies 20
RTE5107A Select animals for breeding 100
RTE5301A Design livestock effluent systems 100
RTE5916A Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports 100
RTE5921A Market products and services 100
RTF4004A Develop a plant nutrition program 40
RTF4014A Plan a growing-on program 30
RTF4015A Plan a propagation program 30
RTF4023A Promote plant health 40
WRRI1B Perform stock control procedures 36
WRRI5A Maintain and order stock 36
WRRO1B Manage merchandise and store presentation 30
WRRS4B Build relationships with customers 20
Group 2
No more than 2 module/units may be completed
Modules/Units Name Hrs
HLTFA301B Apply first aid 15
RTC3209A Plan and construct conventional fencing 30
RTD3212A Implement erosion and sediment control measures 40
RTD3507A Undertake sampling and testing of water 30
RTD4507A Produce maps for land management purposes 120
RTE3002A Co-ordinate a crop regulation program 30
RTE3003A Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting 30
RTE3006A Establish pastures and crops for livestock production 30
RTE3008A Handle bulk materials in storage area 30
RTE3009A Undertake agricultural crop harvesting activities 30
RTE3013A Implement a postharvest program 30
RTE3022A Undertake agricultural crop maintenance activities 30
RTE3024A Undertake preparation of land for agricultural crop production 30
RTE3029A Establish agricultural crops 30
RTE3030A Harvest horticultural crops mechanically 30
RTE3037A Save, prepare and store agricultural seed 30
RTE3101A Artificially inseminate livestock 30
RTE3102A Educate, ride and care for horses 30
RTE3103A Apply quality assurance procedures in wool preparation 30
RTE3104A Carry out basic dentition care procedures on horses 30
RTE3105A Carry out feedlot operations 30
RTE3106A Carry out mare mating procedures 30
RTE3107A Carry out post-shearing procedures 30
RTE3108A Class wool 60
RTE3109A Class goat fibre 30
RTE3110A Coordinate and monitor intensive production performance 30
RTE3111A Appraise wool using industry descriptions 30
RTE3112A Handle and care for stallions 30
RTE3113A Identify and draft livestock 30
RTE3114A Implement feeding plans for livestock 30
RTE3115B Implement livestock husbandry practices 30
RTE3116A Mate and monitor animals 30
RTE3117A Coordinate milking operations 30
RTE3118A Implement feeding plans for intensive production 30
RTE3119A Euthanase animals 30
RTE3120A Prepare facilities for shearing and crutching 30
RTE3121B Prepare animals for parturition 30
RTE3122A Prepare livestock for shearing 30
RTE3123A Pregnancy test pigs 30
RTE3124B Rear newborn and young livestock 30
RTE3126A Remove and facilitate reuse of effluent and manure from an intensive productions system 30
RTE3127A Treat rectal prolapse in pigs 30
RTE3128A Collect, store and administer colostrum 30
RTE3129A Shear sheep to professional level 100
RTE3130A Supervise clip preparation 30
RTE3131A Transport livestock 30
RTE3133B Prepare livestock for competition 30
RTE3134A Slaughter livestock 30
RTE3135A Artificially inseminate birds 30
RTE3136A Comply with industry animal welfare requirements 30
RTE3137A Carry out basic hoof care procedures 30
RTE3138B Determine wool characteristics 30
RTE3139A Maintain consistent shearing performance 40
RTE3140A Carry out post-mortem examination of livestock 30
RTE3141A Prepare fleece wool for classing 30
RTE3142A Prepare skirtings and oddments 40
RTE3143A Monitor intensive livestock production growing environments 30
RTE3144A Prevent and treat equine injury and disease 30
RTE3145A Press wool 30
RTE3146A Process and store semen 30
RTE3147A Prepare for and implement natural mating of livestock 30
RTE3148A Assess conformation of horses 30
RTE3149A Supervise free-range poultry operations 30
RTE3210A Plan and construct an electric fence 30
RTE3301A Operate a cane harvester 30
RTE3302A Carry out minor service of milking equipment 30
RTE3304A Maintain and service shearing handpieces 30
RTE3305A Install and terminate extra low voltage wiring systems 30
RTE3307A Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair 30
RTE3308A Operate a dairy recycling system 30
RTE3309A Operate machinery in adverse conditions 30
RTE3312A Service and repair bores and windmills 30
RTE3313A Monitor and provide advice on cleaning milking machines 30
RTE3314A Transport farm produce or bulk materials 30
RTE3316A Disconnect/ reconnect fixed wired equipment 30
RTE3317A Carry out minor service of milking equipment 30
RTE3318A Prepare combs and cutters for machine shearing 30
RTE3402A Implement animal health control programs 30
RTE3406A Implement vertebrate pest control program 30
RTE3504B Collect samples for rural production or horticulture monitoring program 30
RTE3506A Monitor weather conditions 30
RTE3601A Install irrigation systems 30
RTE3603A Install drainage systems 30
RTE3604A Troubleshoot drainage systems 30
RTE3605A Troubleshoot irrigation systems 30
RTE3606A Measure drainage system performance 30
RTE3607A Measure irrigation delivery system performance 30
RTE3608A Monitor and operate water treatment processes 30
RTE3609A Operate fertigation equipment 30
RTE3610A Operate gravity fed irrigation systems 30
RTE3611A Operate pressurised irrigation systems 30
RTE3612A Implement a maintenance program for an irrigation system 30
RTE3708A Clean and fumigate intensive production sheds 30
RTE3712A Administer medication to animals 30
RTE3713A Carry out workplace OHS procedures 30
RTE3714A Maintain and monitor environmental work practices 30
RTE3806A Provide advice and sell farm chemicals 30
RTE3807A Provide advice and sell machinery 30
RTE3808A Provide advice on agronomic products 30
RTE3809A Provide advice on hardware products 30
RTE3810A Provide advice on livestock products 30
RTE3819A Process customer complaints 30
RTE3901A Comply with industry quality assurance requirements 30
RTE3902A Document a wool clip 30
RTE3904A Keep records for a primary production business 40
RTE3905A Sell products and services 30
RTE3907A Use hand-held e-business tools 40
RTE3908A Maintain and monitor feed stocks 30
RTE4108A Manage horses for stockwork 40
RTE5002A Manage integrated crop and pasture production 100
RTE5006A Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and/or disease control in crops 100
RTE5007A Plan and manage stored grain program 100
RTE5014A Manage agricultural crop production 100
RTE5015A Manage the harvest of agricultural and horticultural crops 100
RTE5016A Develop production plans for crops 100
RTE5101A Develop and implement a breeding strategy 100
RTE5103A Manage livestock production 100
RTE5104A Develop livestock health and welfare strategies 100
RTE5106A Develop production plans for livestock 100
RTE5205A Plan and manage infrastructure requirements 100
RTE5304A Implement a machinery management system 100
RTE5515A Manage natural areas on a rural property 100
RTE5516A Develop a whole farm plan 100
RTE5523A Develop climatic risk management strategies 100
RTE5524A Develop and implement sustainable land use strategies 100
RTE5525A Manage trial and/or research material 100
RTE5601A Audit irrigation systems 100
RTE5602A Design irrigation system maintenance and monitoring programs 100
RTE5603A Design irrigation, drainage and water treatment systems 100
RTE5604A Develop an irrigation and drainage management plan 100
RTE5605A Establish and maintain an irrigation-related environmental protection programs 100
RTE5606A Manage water systems 100
RTE5607A Design drainage systems 100
RTE5608A Design water treatment systems 100
RTE5807A Manage staff 100
RTE5901A Develop a marketing plan 100
RTE5902A Develop and review a business plan 100
RTE5903A Plan, implement and review a quality assurance program 100
RTE5906A Monitor and review business performance 100
RTE5909A Develop a sales strategy for rural products 100
RTE5912A Plan and monitor production processes 100
RTE5917A Arrange livestock purchases 100
RTE5918A Arrange marketing of livestock 100
RTE5920A Negotiate and monitor contracts/commercial agreements 100
RTE5922A Plan production for the whole farm/land based business 100
RTF3012A Implement a plant nutrition program 30
RTF3503A Sample soils and analyse results 40
Group 776 ENRICHMENT
You may choose modules/units from this group but they do not count towards course completion
Modules/Units Name Hrs
NSWTSIM301A Understanding GPS on the farm 25
NSWTSIM401A Use remote sensing data as a decision support tool in agriculture 25
Group 777 ENRICHMENT
You may choose modules/units from this group but they do not count towards course completion
Modules/Units Name Hrs
NSWTHAZ301A Manage residues in product 20
NSWTHAZ406A Manage persistent chemicals 15
Group 778 ENRICHMENT
You may choose modules/units from this group but they do not count towards course completion
Modules/Units Name Hrs
NSWTSAL201A Report on incidences of salinity 15
NSWTSAL301A Seek salinity advice 25
NSWTSAL302A Implement practices for managing salinity 25
NSWTSAL401A Determine modifications to agricultural production systems 25
NSWTSAL402A Assess salinity impacts and investigate management options 25
Group 887 ENRICHMENT
You may choose modules/units from this group but they do not count towards course completion
Modules/Units Name Hrs
FPIC2007A Maintain chainsaws 10
FPIC2011A Cross-cut materials with a hand held chainsaw 20
FPICOR2205A Follow OHS policies and procedures 20
FPICOT2204A Maintain chainsaws 16
FPICOT2206A Cross cut materials with a hand-held chainsaw 30
FPICOT2221A Trim and cross cut felled trees 40
FPIFGM069A Trim and cross-cut felled trees (non-commercial / non-production) 20
FPIFGM2208A Fall trees manually (basic) 40
FPIFGM3204A Fall trees manually (intermediate) 40
ICAU1128A Operate a personal computer 15
ICAU1211A Operate accounting applications 30
ICAU2231A Use computer operating system 20
MEM5.12AB Perform routine manual metal arc welding 20
MEM5.12C Perform routine manual metal arc welding 18
MEM5.50B Perform routine gas metal arc welding 18
MEM5.7C Perform manual heating and thermal cutting 18
NSWTHAZ402A Tractor risk assessment 15
RTC1701A Follow basic chemical safety rules 5
RTC2005A Fell small trees 20
RTC2304A Operate and maintain chainsaws 30
RTC2309A Operate tractors 30
RTC2701A Follow OHS procedures 15
RTC2704A Provide basic first aid 10
RTC2706A Apply chemicals under supervision 15
RTC3213A Implement property improvement, construction and repair 40
RTC3704A Prepare and apply chemicals 15
RTC3705A Transport, handle and store chemicals 15
RTE2106A Care for and train working dogs 20
RTE2308A Operate ride-on vehicles 20
RTE5103A Manage livestock production 100
RTF5521A Monitor and manage soils 140
