25 July 2023 Update: Extended Transition Period for Key Agricultural Qualifications
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has approved an extended transition period for crucial agricultural qualifications. These qualifications are pivotal in shaping the future of agribusiness in Australia.
ASQA’s decision is set to benefit learners and training providers alike, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition while maintaining the highest education standards.
The Approved Extended Transition Period
The qualifications with an extended transition period are as follows:
- AHC10216 Certificate I in Agri-food Operations
- AHC10316 Certificate I in Horticulture
- AHC20116 Certificate II in Agriculture
- AHC20416 Certificate II in Horticulture
- AHC30116 Certificate III in Agriculture
- AHC30716 Certificate III in Horticulture
- AHC32816 Certificate III in Rural Operations
- AHC33719 Certificate III in Protected Horticulture
- AHC40116 Certificate IV in Agriculture
- AHC40416 Certificate IV in Horticulture
- AHC50116 Diploma of Agriculture
- AHC50416 Diploma of Horticulture
- AHC51216 Diploma of Community Coordination and Facilitation
Extended Training and Certification Issuance Period
The extended training, assessment, and certification issuance period for these qualifications will conclude on 22 January 2025. ASQA permits new enrolments and commencements in these qualifications during this period.
However, all students must have received their qualifications or statements of attainment or be transferred to a replacement qualification by the end of the transition period.
Skills Impact Supports the Extended Transition Period
As the Agribusiness Jobs and Skills Council, Skills Impact supported the decision to extend the transition date for these qualifications, ensuring that training packages reflect the needs of industries and enterprises.
ASQA’s approval of the extended transition period for these essential agricultural qualifications marks a significant milestone in the education landscape of Australia.
Learners, training providers, and industries can now look forward to a well-coordinated and seamless transition, thanks to ASQA’s commitment to addressing genuine disadvantages.
The Australian agricultural industry is poised for a brighter and more prosperous future as these RTO learning resources remain on providers’ scope of registration until the approved extended transition period date.
16 May 2023 AHC Training Package Update
Extended Transition Period Approved for AHC20616 Certificate II in Parks and Gardens
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has recently granted an extended transition period for the AHC20616 Certificate II in Parks and Gardens qualification offered by Foundation Training Australia Pty Ltd (RTO 31972). This decision comes as a response to the demonstrated genuine disadvantage that a cohort of learners would face if the extension was not approved. This qualification’s extended training, assessment, and certification issuance period will now conclude on 31 May 2023.
Under certain circumstances, ASQA has the authority to approve transition periods longer than the standard outlined in Clauses 1.26 (a), (b), and (c) of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015. This flexibility allows ASQA to consider the specific needs and challenges learners and training providers face. By approving an extended transition period, ASQA aims to minimise potential disadvantages and ensure a smoother transition for learners.
Registered Training organisations (RTOs) responsible for delivering the AHC20616 Certificate II in Parks and Gardens qualification to the designated learner group must adhere to the approved transition period. The qualification will continue to be included in the RTO’s scope of registration until the conclusion of the authorised transition period unless an earlier withdrawal is opted for.
We strongly encourage all RTOs to take full advantage of this extended transition period to ensure learners receive comprehensive training in landscape construction, incorporating the most up-to-date knowledge and skills. If you have any inquiries or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
8 February 2023 AHC Training Package Update
Extended Transition Period for Certificate III in Landscape Construction (AHC30916)
The transition period for AHC30916 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction has been extended by ASQA. This allows more time for learners and trainers to complete their training, assessment, and certification issuance, with the new end date being 14 February 2024.
RTOs who deliver this qualification to the identified learner group must comply with the approved transition period. The qualification will remain on the RTO’s scope of registration until the end of the approved transition period unless they choose to withdraw it earlier.
RTOs can utilise this extended transition period to equip learners with the latest knowledge and skills in landscape construction. For any inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
24 January 2023 AHC Training Package Update
The Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package (Release 9.0) is now accessible on training.gov.au. It features significant updates to various qualifications and units of competency to align with current industry practices and regulations.
To learn more about the latest AHC training package, continue reading below.
Qualifications
Added 23 New Qualifications
| New Qualifications | Superseded Qualifications | Equivalency/Action |
| AHC10222 – Certificate I in Agriculture | AHC10216 – Certificate I in AgriFood Operations | |
| AHC10322 – Certificate I in Horticulture | AHC10316 – Certificate I in Horticulture | |
| AHC10422 – Certificate I in Permaculture | AHC10416 – Certificate I in Permaculture | Equivalent |
| AHC20122 – Certificate II in Agriculture | AHC20116 – Certificate II in Agriculture | |
| AHC20422 – Certificate II in Horticulture | AHC20416 – Certificate II in Horticulture | |
| AHC21722 – Certificate II in Permaculture | AHC21716 – Certificate II in Permaculture | |
| AHC30122 – Certificate III in Agriculture | AHC30116 – Certificate III in Agriculture | |
| AHC30422 – Certificate III in Pork Production | AHC30416 – Certificate III in Pork Production | |
| AHC30522 – Certificate III in Poultry Production | AHC30516 – Certificate III in Poultry Production | |
| AHC30722 – Certificate III in Horticulture | AHC30716 – Certificate III in Horticulture | |
| AHC31522 – Certificate III in On Country Management | AHC31516 – Certificate III in Indigenous Land Management | |
| AHC32522 – Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Sites Work | AHC32516 – Certificate III in Aboriginal Sites Work | |
| AHC32822 – Certificate III in Rural Operations | AHC32816 – Certificate III in Rural Operations | |
| AHC33722 – Certificate III in Protected Horticulture | AHC33719 – Certificate III in Protected Horticulture | |
| AHC33822 – Certificate III in Permaculture | AHC33816 – Certificate III in Permaculture | |
| AHC40122 – Certificate IV in Agriculture | AHC40116 – Certificate IV in Agriculture | Merged Qualifications |
| AHC41616 – Certificate IV in Organic Farming | ||
| AHC40422 – Certificate IV in Horticulture | AHC40416 – Certificate IV in Horticulture | |
| AHC42122 – Certificate IV in Permaculture | AHC42116 – Certificate IV in Permaculture | |
| AHC50122 – Diploma of Agriculture | AHC50116 – Diploma of Agriculture | Merged Qualifications |
| AHC51816 – Diploma of Organic Farming | ||
| AHC50422 – Diploma of Horticulture Management | AHC50416 – Diploma of Horticulture | |
| AHC51222 – Diploma of Community Group Coordination and Facilitation | AHC51216 – Diploma of Community Coordination and Facilitation | |
| AHC52122 – Diploma of Permaculture | AHC52116 – Diploma of Permaculture | |
| AHC60422 – Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management | AHC60415 – Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Land Management | Equivalent |
Deleted One Qualification:
| Qualification | Action |
| AHC60216 – Advanced Diploma of Horticulture | Deleted |
Updated Eight Qualifications:
| Qualifications | Action |
| AHC20919 – Certificate II in Sports Turf Management | Updated from release 2 to release 3 |
| AHC30221 – Certificate III in Dairy Production | Updated from release 1 to release 2 |
| AHC42421 – Certificate IV in Landscape Design | Updated from release 1 to release 2 |
| AHC50621 – Diploma of Landscape Design | Updated from release 1 to release 2 |
| AHC51120 – Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management | Updated from release 1 to release 2 |
| AHC52021 – Diploma of Landscape Construction Management | Updated from release 1 to release 2 |
| AHC60319 – Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management | Updated from release 1 to release 2 |
| AHC60520 – Advanced Diploma of Arboriculture | Updated from release 1 to release 2 |
In addition, AHC Release 9.0 saw the addition and removal of multiple AHC units of competency. To obtain a complete overview of the updates made to the AHC training package and to enhance your understanding of the latest modifications, please refer to training.gov.au.
Next Steps for RTOs
To keep pace with the newly released AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management (Release 9.0), RTOs must update their scope and procure the latest AHC materials. To ensure that students have access to the most current AHC resources, RTOs should:
- Incorporate the updated version into their scope of registration.
- Keep track of the 12-month transition period and transfer all students to the new version.
- Guarantee that students in deleted products finish their studies within one year for deleted units and skill sets and two years for deleted qualifications.
- Submit an application to include new, non-equivalent qualifications and units of competency in their scope.
Acquire the latest AHC materials today! Visit our online catalogue and get the new AHC resources you require. If you require further assistance, please complete the form, and we will provide you with all the information you need.
