This project will develop a formal, structured, nationally recognised trade apprenticeship qualification that gives learners better career pathways and recognised skills, while strengthening agriculture’s ability to attract, develop and retain its future workforce.
Click across the tabs to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.
Australia’s agriculture industry offers diverse career opportunities and a wide range of skills, but these are not always visible or consistently recognised through current training and career pathways.
This project will develop a formal, structured, nationally recognised Agricultural Trade Qualification that gives learners clearer pathways into the industry and stronger recognition of their skills. It will also lift the profile of agricultural careers and support workforce attraction, development and retention.
The qualification will be developed using existing units of competency from the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package, with scope to develop new units where evidence shows they are needed.
Work will be undertaken in accordance with the 2025 Training Package Organising Framework (TPOF 2025) and relevant policy requirements. While this project will deliver the qualification, implementation as an apprenticeship will require state and territory support, including funding and trade recognition arrangements, before RTOs are able to offer the qualification.
Background work informing this project
This project builds on strong industry evidence, including Skills Insight’s Ag Trade Feasibility Report, the concept for an Ag Trade Apprenticeship and the Career Pathways for Agricultural Trades Project.
Occupations
The qualification is intended to support pathways into a wide range of primary production and agribusiness sectors.
Technical Committee and working groups
A Technical Committee has been assembled to guide the project. The Committee has provided input into the Terms of Reference and Consultation Strategy documents available below.
In addition to the Technical Committee, sector specific working groups have been engaged to contribute their expertise to the development of the training materials and will be consulted in conjunction with the Technical Committee.
This project will deliver the qualification. Implementation as an apprenticeship will require state and territory support, including funding and trade recognition arrangements, before RTOs are able to offer the qualification.
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If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to our newsletter and select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as one of your industries of interest.
Register for a roundtable
and networking event
If you would like to discuss the future of apprenticeships and trade careers in agriculture, please register for one of the roundtable and networking events happening between 10 February – 28 May 2026 as featured on the VET Workforce Project webpage.
These events are being run to provide opportunities to contribute to several related projects and support the development of local connections.
Timeline
Project team
Lucinda O’Brien
Project Manager
[email protected]
Andrew Horgan
Stakeholder Engagement Manager
[email protected]
Peter Miller
Developer
Opportunities for stakeholder input
Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The qualification will be drafted in consultation with the Technical Committee and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in July-August 2026, and again to review and check final drafts in November 2026. However, your feedback is welcomed and encouraged at any time.
A list of key stakeholder organisations is currently being identified for this project. Skills Insight will ensure that contact is made with each of these organisations during the development of this project to seek involvement and views. Consultation is not limited to the organisations on this list. This list simply helps us to identify organisations that, because of their industry role, size or specialty, are likely to have a key interest in the development and outcomes of this project. If you are aware of an organisation that you think should be involved, please contact the project team.
For updates and consultation opportunities, please subscribe to news and updates. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project manager, Lucinda O’Brien on 03 9321 3509 or [email protected]
This project is part of the Annual Training Product Development Plan 2025-26.
Work is currently underway to develop an Agricultural Trade Qualification that gives learners clearer pathways into the industry and stronger recognition of their skills. Consultation sessions are scheduled for industry stakeholders, farmers, students and employees to share insights on current and emerging workforce needs in broadacre cropping, livestock and dairy production.
Register for consultation sessions
These sessions provide an opportunity for stakeholders to meet the project team, understand the purpose of the qualification, view the draft and provide feedback. Some online sessions will focus on specific sectors, while the in-person sessions will cover all sectors and delivery and assessment.
Online sessions
Note: all times listed for online sessions are in AEST.
All times listed for in-person sessions are local times.
In-person sessions
Work to date
Initial discussions at the Technical Committee meeting drew on expertise to help define the skills, knowledge and capabilities expected of graduates working at trade level in agriculture. This will ensure the qualification is grounded in real workplace roles such as senior farmhands and leading hands.
Subject matter expert (SME) working groups across broadacre cropping, livestock and dairy production reviewed the proposed skills and knowledge requirements through structured sessions, assigning relevance scores (sector-specific, shared or common) and frequency ratings (rare, frequent or daily) to each item. SMEs confirmed key capabilities such as production record keeping, machinery operation and agronomic decision-making, while identifying overlaps, sector-specific nuances and emerging priorities to inform qualification design.
Priorites included strengthening foundation and transferable skills such as conflict resolution, resilience, numeracy and literacy, alongside growing expectations for digital literacy and awareness of emerging technologies such as virtual fencing, robotic dairies and data-driven decision making. Gaps were identified in areas such as agricultural production system technologies and the use of production data and information systems, with new units proposed to address these emerging skill requirements. Regional and system‑specific differences were also considered, with elective units and guidance for RTOs identified as key mechanisms to support flexibility while maintaining national consistency.
Next steps
Continued engagement with the Technical Committee will further review and refine skills and knowledge mapping, test emerging themes, and confirm expectations for trade-level outcomes. This work will directly inform the development of the draft qualification, including its structure, content and alignment with the Training Package Organising Framework. The draft qualification, newly created units of competency and other accompanying documentation will be released for broader consultation with industry, government and training stakeholders from 1 July to 31 August 2026.
Subscribe for updates
If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to our newsletter and select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as one of your industries of interest.
This project will deliver the qualification. Implementation as an apprenticeship will require state and territory support, including funding and trade recognition arrangements, before RTOs are able to offer the qualification.
The draft Ag Trade Apprenticeship qualification and associated units are now available for feedback.
The drafts have been developed in consultation with the Technical Committee, drawing on feedback from industry stakeholders and registered training organisations gathered through workshops, site visits and other engagement activities conducted across Australia between February and June 2026.
Feedback is invited from 1 July to 31 August 2026.
We are collecting feedback through our online Feedback Hub and via email. There is also the opportunity to register for a consultation workshop to discuss the purpose of the qualification, view the drafts and provide feedback. Some online sessions will focus on specific sectors, while the in-person sessions will cover all sectors and delivery and assessment.
Summary of development and consultation log
The summary of development outlines how the initial drafts were refined following Technical Committee review and feedback gathered through Skills Review workshops.
The Consultation Log summarises the engagement activities undertaken during development, including Technical Committee meetings and feedback received on the draft qualification and units of competency.
Frequently asked questions and more information
The following documents provide answers to frequently asked questions and explain the proposed qualification structure, including the units students would complete to achieve the Certificate III in Agricultural Production for each specialisation.
Consultation workshops
Register for in-person sessions
Register for online sessions
Note: all times listed for online sessions are in AEST.
All times listed for in-person sessions are local times.
Have your say: National Farmers’ Federation survey
We’re working with the National Farmers’ Federation to understand producers’ interest in employing apprentices.
This short 10 minute survey will help build the evidence base and demonstrate industry support for the apprenticeship.
View the drafts and provide feedback
By clicking on the documents in the accordions below you can submit feedback using our Feedback Hub. You you can post comments directly on the draft documents as well as view comments from others. Your comments will remain anonymous. Read the full User Instructions. Only Skills Insight staff and contractors working directly on the project can identify users. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. The feedback hub is also moderated to avoid misuse.
*Please note that the Feedback Hub will be undergoing planned maintenance between 6pm Friday 10 July and 9am Saturday 11 July 2026.*
If you’d prefer to email your feedback, you can download the documents in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
View the draft and provide feedback: AHC3XX27 Certificate III in Agricultural Production
If you’d prefer to email your feedback, you can download the qualification in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
The draft Certificate III in Agricultural Production is a trade qualification designed to develop skilled agricultural workers for modern farming workplaces. It provides a broad occupational outcome across the agriculture industry, with specialisation pathways in broadacre cropping, dairy production and livestock production.
The draft qualification combines practical agricultural production skills with the technology, data analysis and problem-solving capabilities increasingly required in contemporary agriculture. Learners will develop skills in operating machinery and equipment, managing crops and livestock, implementing sustainable production practices, maintaining workplace safety, and applying industry quality assurance requirements. A key feature of the qualification is its focus on emerging agricultural technologies. Learners will develop capabilities in agricultural production data systems, digital technologies and technology selection, supporting the adoption of precision agriculture and data-informed decision making.
The draft qualification also supports the development of supervisory and leadership skills, enabling graduates to coordinate work activities, support team performance and contribute to workplace productivity. Graduates may work in roles such as Agricultural Tradesperson, Agricultural Technician, Agricultural Contractor, Senior Farm Hand, Leading Hand or Head Stockperson. By combining practical trade skills with technology, sustainability and workplace leadership, the draft qualification aims to develop a skilled workforce capable of supporting the future productivity, profitability and resilience of Australian agriculture.
AHCSOL3X01 Implement agricultural soil management processes
This unit focuses on the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of agricultural soil management activities. It supports workers to interpret soil information, implement soil management strategies, monitor soil condition and provide information on soil management outcomes. The unit reflects the increasing industry emphasis on maintaining soil health, improving productivity, managing environmental impacts and supporting long-term sustainability. It incorporates practical skills associated with interpretation of soil test results, nutrient management and the implementation of practices designed to minimise soil degradation.
AHCTEC3X01 Operate and monitor agricultural production data information technology
This unit focuses on the operation and monitoring of agricultural production data technologies, systems and software. It develops the skills required to configure and operate digital technologies, validate and manage production data, analyse information and support operational decision making. The unit recognises the growing role of digital technologies within agriculture and the need for workers to confidently use production data to monitor performance, identify issues and support continuous improvement. It also includes skills associated with troubleshooting common digital system and software issues. Examples of technologies relevant to this unit may include farm management information systems (FMIS), herd management software, dairy management systems, precision agriculture platforms, yield monitoring systems, irrigation management software, carbon accounting software, soil monitoring systems and digital record-keeping applications.
AHCTEC3X02 Identify and recommend agricultural production system technology
This unit focuses on researching, evaluating and recommending agricultural production system technologies to meet workplace production requirements. It develops the skills required to investigate current and emerging technologies, assess their suitability and prepare proposals to support procurement decisions. The unit reflects the rapid pace of technological change occurring across the agricultural sector and the increasing need for workers to understand the operational, technical, financial and practical considerations associated with technology adoption. Particular emphasis is placed on evaluating functionality, compatibility, interoperability, support requirements, diagnostic capability, repairability and return on investment. Examples of technologies relevant to this unit may include robotic milking systems, automatic calf feeders, virtual fencing systems, auto-drafting equipment, autonomous machinery, GPS guidance systems, drones, soil moisture monitoring systems, virtual fencing systems, smart spraying systems and other emerging agricultural production technologies.
If you’d prefer to email your feedback, you can download the new units in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
Further information about the units
The draft units have been developed to address emerging workforce skill needs associated with technology adoption, data-informed decision making and sustainable production practices within Australian agriculture.
Agricultural workplaces are increasingly relying on digital technologies, data systems and improved resource management practices to support productivity, profitability, sustainability and resilience. These units provide practical skills that enable workers to implement production activities, utilise production data, and evaluate technology solutions within a range of agricultural production systems.
The units are designed for individuals working under broad direction who are responsible for carrying out activities, monitoring outcomes, interpreting information and providing recommendations to supervisors, managers or business owners. The skills developed through these units are applicable across a broad range of sectors in the agricultural industry, including broadacre cropping, dairy, livestock and mixed farming operations.
The Companion Volume extract is a draft of what is proposed to be included in the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) Release 13.0. Information is intended to assist RTOs with strategies to address updates.
Consultation to date
The Technical Committee reviewed and considered feedback gathered through Skills Review workshops held between April and June 2026. Consultation activities engaged individuals working directly in broadacre cropping, livestock, and dairy production. Participants provided valuable insights into the skills and knowledge required for key job roles and day-to-day tasks, ensuring the drafts reflect current industry practice.
Additional engagement with registered training organisations (RTOs) was undertaken to verify and refine the drafts, through discussions exploring whether delivery and assessment requirements are achievable within a training context across Australia, noting the diversity of operating environments.
Site visits were also conducted in Tasmania to observe job roles in real workplace settings, further informing the development process.
We thank all stakeholders who generously contributed their time, expertise, and feedback during these activities.
Subscribe for updates
If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to our newsletter and select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as one of your industries of interest.
This project will deliver the qualification. Implementation as an apprenticeship will require state and territory support, including funding and trade recognition arrangements, before RTOs are able to offer the qualification.
This stage has not yet commenced.
As part of consensus gathering, we check our work with stakeholders to confirm that solutions are in line with expectations.
This stage has not yet commenced.
At the finalisation stage, final checks are conducted and the outcomes of the project are submitted to the Department for consideration. Following this, outcomes are published or enacted.