The Diploma of Horticulture (Turf) provides training in the skills for establishment maintenance, design and management of recreational turf surfaces. Underpinning these skills will be a sound knowledge in pest and disease management; design of irrigation and drainage systems and management of sport turf facilities. There is an emphasis on the development of management skills in technical and other areas.
There is a strong emphasis on the application of practical skills. Practical classes are conducted at the nearby Riverside Golf and Tennis Centre and the Altona Lakes Golf Course where NMIT holds the maintenance contracts.
Students at NMIT's Fairfield campus will have access to a plant identification laboratory; irrigation training facilities, soils laboratory and computer laboratory with the latest versions of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software.
Course Duration:
Diploma of Horticulture (Turf) is delivered over two and a half years by attendance (one day per week, afternoon and evening) or in a self-paced flexible delivery mode.
Accelerated programs and "hybrid" programs may be negotiated to suit the individual's particular work and study commitments. Enquiries can be made to the course coordinator.
Course Outline:
The Diploma of Horticulture (Turf) requires the successful completion of ten units of competency. Four units are to be selected from Group A, another four units from Group A and/or B and an additional two units from Group B and/or C. Group C units may be selected from other Training Packages or they may be from the Amenity Horticulture Training Package from level 3, 4, 5, or 6. At least eight of the units of competency presented must relate to turf management work procedures, activities or contexts.
In practice NMIT, with industry consultation, has constructed courses that satisfies these packaging rules and are tailored to the requirements of industry.
About the Course
- Local Students
- International Students
- National Code: RTF50803
- Local Fees: Eligible for govt subsidy: max $2,000 | Ineligible for govt subsidy: max $9,000
Campus: Fairfield
Duration
Part-time: Flexible delivery.
Modes of Delivery
Classroom
Further Study and Careers
Pathways to Further Study
Graduates may seek opportunities for higher education in turf management at degree level.
Career Opportunities
As students in this course will already be employed in the turf management industry, successful completion of this course will allow for movement within the turf industry and work in a range of opportunities such as establishment and maintenance of recreational turf, preparation of sports playing surfaces, management of recreational and sports turf facilities, provision of advice on turf irrigation, pest and disease control and management practices. Graduates will be able to work overseas.
Entrance Requirements
The entrance requirement for the Diploma of Horticulture (Turf) is the Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf). Participants are expected to have access to computer facilities, including Internet and email, and be currently employed in the turf industry.
Materials
Assessment Methods
This is a competency-based course where assessment is based on students' abilities to achieve unit outcomes. There is the opportunity for workplace delivery and assessment of competencies. Assessment methods include: demonstration of skills, test and assignments, folios, oral activities, third party reports, research assignments.
Materials
List of safety equipment and books that need to be purchased by students will be distributed to students early in the course.
More Information
How to Apply
Local Students
Part-time:
Please contact the department directly if you are interested in studying part time.
You can enrol in part-time courses at an Information and Enrolment Session
Fees
You could be eligible for a government subsidised place if you meet the citizenship/residency requirements* and
- you are under 20 (on 1 January of the year you will be taking the course); OR
- you are applying for a qualification higher than the one you already have.
If you do not meet this criteria contact the department to discuss your options.
Students can now apply for VET FEE-HELP assistance to pay tuition fees for this course.
Please note:
*The fees listed below do not apply to students who commenced their studies at NMIT before 1 July 2010.
*The fees listed below do not apply to International Students (see About this course above).
* Students are still required to pay amenities and materials on top of the fees stated below.
Units of Study
The Units of Study listed below have been approved for VET FEE-HELP**. You may be required to undertake additional Units of Study in order to obtain the qualification. You will need to determine your particular combination of Units of Study with the department.
| Code | Subject | Start Date | Finish Date | Census Date | Hours | Fees |
|---|
| BSBMGT507A | Manage Environmental Performance |
|
75 | $217.50 $750.00 $5.00 $75.00 | ||||||
| RTC5701A | Establish and Maintain the Enterprise Occ Health and Safety Program |
|
75 | $217.50 $750.00 $5.00 $75.00 | ||||||
| RTF5010A | Prepare a landscape project design |
|
100 | $290.00 $1,000.00 $5.00 $100.00 | ||||||
| RTF5013A | Manage plant culture practices for amenity horticulture |
|
80 | $232.00 $800.00 $5.00 $80.00 | ||||||
| RTE5304A | Implement a machinery management system |
|
75 | $217.50 $750.00 $5.00 $75.00 | ||||||
| RTE5601A | Audit irrigation systems |
|
40 | $116.00 $400.00 $5.00 $40.00 | ||||||
| RTE5603A | Design irrigation drainage and water treatment systems |
|
120 | $348.00 $1,200.00 $5.00 $120.00 | ||||||
| RTE5807A | Manage staff |
|
75 | $217.50 $750.00 $5.00 $75.00 | |||
| RTF5005A | Manage plant health |
|
80 | $232.00 $800.00 $5.00 $80.00 | ||||||
| RTF5008A | Plan establishment of turf playing surfaces |
|
80 | $232.00 $800.00 $5.00 $80.00 | ||||||
| RTF5521A | Monitor and manage soils/growing media |
|
100 | $290.00 $820.00 $5.00 $100.00 | ||||||
**Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers
Students may be eligible for exemptions/transfers on the basis of previous qualifications, which must be provided as evidence of completion.
VET FEE-HELP helps you pay your VET tuition fees
You could be eligible to access a VET FEE-HELP loan to pay your VET tuition fees for a number of NMIT Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas.
You can apply for VET FEE-HELP if you’re a student studying in Australia who is:
- an Australian citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder who is resident in Australia for the duration of the unit of study VET FEE-HELP is being applied for;
- enrolled on or before the census date* of an eligible unit of study through an approved VET provider;
- meet tax file number requirements;
- have not exceeded the FEE-HELP limit
VET FEE-HELP allows eligible students to have all or part of their VET tuition fees paid by the Australian Government in the form of a loan**, regardless of whether you are eligible or not for a government funded place under Skills Reform.
Over their lifetime, students can access a VET FEE-HELP loan to pay their VET tuition fees, articulate into university and then add their university costs until the maximum FEE-HELP maximum is reached. There is no age restriction on VET FEE-HELP.
For further information, contact the department directly or for general information on VET FEE-HELP visit the DEEWR website and download the VET FEE-HELP Information Booklet.
NMIT Statement of VET Tuition Assurance
* If you have requested a VET FEE-HELP loan, but change your mind about studying, you must either cancel your Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance (in writing to NMIT) or withdraw your enrolment in each unit of study on or before its census date or you will incur a debt.
** A loan fee of 20% applies to all VET FEE-HELP loans
