Agriculture, Animals, Science and the Environment

Handle chemicals safely

This course is delivered in partnership with AusChem WA and will assist you to manage risks associated with chemical use, to understand your obligations in the areas of duty of care, quality assurance and environmental management.

On a practical level you will learn how to improve your integrated pest management programs, to better choose chemicals for the job and accurate application. This training is essential for all agricultural stakeholders who use chemicals and is designed for people who will be spraying without supervision.

Safely handle and store agricultural chemicals. 

This course is suited for individuals responsible for applying chemicals in agricultural related industries.

Some things you'll learn:

• Transport and store chemicals
• Prepare chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases 

Specialise in agricultural vehicles and equipment with this hands-on technical course.

This apprenticeship program will enable you to gain the skills and knowledge needed to work on agricultural machinery and equipment and covers mechanical, electrical and hydraulic operations, precision agriculture and braking systems.

Half price fees apply!

Open the gate to a career in Agriculture.

Looking for a career in agriculture? We offer a wide range of industry relevant agriculture courses that will give you the practical skills and knowledge to get where you want to go. Our award-winning lecturers will give you hands-on training on real farms where you will have the opportunity to take part in projects and form relationships with industry partners.

A Certificate II in Agriculture is an entry-level course focused on the fundamentals of modern farm work, including working with livestock and crops. This qualification is a starting point for anyone looking to work within any stream of agriculture. It will also set you up for a wide range of career and study paths across agriculture, agribusiness and rural operations.

Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change

If a life on the land calls to you, now is the time to grab the wheel.

Learn vital skills for a sustainable industry from livestock breeding, health and transportation, to establishing pastures and crop harvesting. Become a qualified operator of machinery such as tractors, skid-steers and front-end loaders and learn best practice for building stock fences and more.

Get ahead of the field.

Become a specialist within the agriculture industry with a Certificate IV in Agriculture. This course is designed to meet the needs of supervisors or team leaders in the agriculture industry. You will be able to choose from specialisations in beef production, grain production, horse breeding, and sheep and wool production.

Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Make a great living on the land.

With the Diploma of Agriculture from CRTAFE you will gain highly sought after specialised skills and knowledge. Learn comprehensively about different farming practices, why pasture and soil health is vital for livestock production, and develop the skills to improve farming efficiency.

Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Do you love animals and want to work with dogs, cats and all creatures?

Learn from our expert team of lecturers who specialise in animal care and passionate about teaching and maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare. You will gain skills in interacting safely, providing animal first-aid, walking and bathing dogs, as well as grooming crossbreed dogs and companion animals according to breed and coat. Build your knowledge of how to provide care to a wide range of animal species including dogs, rodents, rabbits, birds, fish, and reptiles.

This course is ideal if you wish to begin working in animal care, and if you’re already employed or volunteering in the industry, the course will give you a formal qualification to further develop your skillset and help advance further in your current workplace.

Turn your passion into a profession and start your career in animal care with this entry-level course. You will gain  job ready skills needed to be employed in a broad range of roles in the animal care industry, such as:

• Animal Care
• Pet Grooming
• Dog Daycare
• Pet Boarding
• Dog Walking 
• Pet Sitting
• Rescue Shelters
• Breeding Establishments

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to handle, transport, and apply chemicals under supervision using workplace specified chemicals and application equipment.

The unit applies to individuals working in a broad range of job contexts who undertake defined routine activities under supervision. They exercise limited autonomy within established and well-known parameters, providing solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.

Please note this course will be held at the Muresk Institute located at the following address:

Muresk Institute

Spencers Brook Road

Northam, WA 6401

For more information about the Muresk Institute, please visit their website here(opens in a new tab) .

Learn basic skills for backyard beekeeping and the importance bees have on the environment

Honey bees are vital to our supply of healthy foods. Honey bees are pollinators, which means they travel from plant to plant to collect and deposit pollen – which makes it possible for many flowers, fruits and vegetables to reproduce. Bees also pollinate the clover and alfalfa that cows eat.

This Backyard Beekeeping Skill Set provides learners with skills and knowledge for hobbyist beekeepers. Learn how to assemble a hive, operate a bee smoker and carry out bee husbandry tasks.

Learn how to safely operate a hand-held chainsaw.

This unit will teach you how to operate a chainsaw cautiously and efficiently. Acquire skills and techniques to safely cross-cut fallen timber and how to maintain the equipment in working conditions.

Start a career working on the land. 

Working in the conservation and land management industry is for people who love to work in the outdoor environment, and recognise the value in restoration of natural bushland and coastal areas. This is an ideal starting place for gaining employment or further training within the conservation industry.

You'll gain practical skills and knowledge to undertake a broad range of tasks in gardening, nursery work and landscaping, plus parks and gardens management. Conservation and land management is about the future as much as it is about the present. Develop skills in the field of natural resource management, land management, developing and leading teams to implement conservation and land management strategies and more. 

Half price fees apply!

Experience the lay of the land for yourself.

This qualification provides you with the skills and theoretical knowledge for work or further learning in the conservation and ecosystem management industry. You'll gain a broad range of skills or you can focus on one or more specialisations, including:

• Indigenous land management
• Ecological restoration
• Land, parks and wildlife management
• Pest controller
• Conservation earthworks
• Marine operations
• Fire management

Work on the country you love.

When you complete a Certificate IV in Conservation and Ecosystem Management you will be ready for a career in conservation work, parks and wildlife, or regeneration work. You will gain a broad range of skills and theoretical knowledge to specialise in the land conservation industry, including in Indigenous land management, ecosystem management, pest control and fire management. 

Take your passion for working with plants and animals to the next level.

When you complete the Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management you will be ready for a career in conservation work, parks and wildlife, or regeneration work.

You will have the skills and knowledge to lead in the land conservation industry, specialising in areas such as Indigenous land management, ecosystem rehabilitation, conservation, parks management, wildlife management, marine and water management. 

Learn to care for our four legged friends.

This short course is suitable if you work as a Local Government Ranger, Animal Control Officer, or as an Animal Management Facility Operators. It will also benefit those in allied fields such as Animal Welfare Inspectors, or those wishing to enter these fields.

You'll learn how to understand and interpret dog and cat body language and behaviour to be able to make safe handling decisions.

Expand on your knowledge about the Local Government Regulatory Services environment and gain the required skills to operate successfully within it.  As part of the course you'll gain hands-on experience in industry environments such as a leading Local Government Animal Management Facility and the Cat Haven.

This course includes hands-on practical training including how to use a variety of microchip scanners, learning new and effective slip lead techniques, a range of capture equipment and techniques for both cats and dogs, and more about the effective use of dog poles. 

Sessions include presentations from industry experts in related fields, including a qualified and highly experienced veterinarian. You'll meet and handle Princess and Fin.

Most importanlty we'll discuss the relevant legislation at an industry operator’s level including real scenarios, issues and solutions.

Learn the essentials of flying drones and capturing images in compliance with regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and national operating standards. Drones are becoming increasingly popular and used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, 3D construction, search and rescue, surveillance, aerial surveys and mapping.

Learn about aviation laws, flight basics, drone maintenance and techniques to capture images. Once completed you’ll have all the tools to be a safe and knowledgeable recreational drone pilot, and be qualified to fly drones commercially under excluded category RPA. This course is suitable for beginners and all equipment is provided.

Repair environmental impacts at their source.

Businesses are more and more becoming interested in conservation and are prioritising efforts to reduce their impact on the environment there has never been a better time to join this growing industry. 

This qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to collect and analyse environmental samples and process environmental data for the purpose of minimising the impact of human activity on the environment. Students undertake a range of field-based activities including vegetation surveys, geological formation recognition, water and soil sampling and testing and the use of GPS in environmental monitoring applications.

Please note:
This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Make a difference in the management of environmental issues.

Qualified workers are needed in this industry where there is a growing importance on conservation and environmental impact of business. It is a growing industry  linked to our resources sector and increasing issues with the degradation of ecosystems.

This qualification will give you the skills and knowledge needed to apply a range of methods and technologies to conduct environmental testing, monitoring and more. These skills are used in most industry sectors and to assist environmental scientists, engineers and planners with site assessments, minimising environmental impacts of processes and remediation/rehabilitation of sites.

Please note:
This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Explore career paths that protect wildlife and promote biodiversity.

This short course is ideal for volunteers working for animal rescue groups, or similar outlooks. You will learn the basic skills and knowledge to observe, recognise and record fauna that are encountered when undertaking agricultural, horticultural and land management activities. Additional skills will include trapping and holding live animals for release, transportation or destruction.

Learn how to safely and accurately handle firearms. 

In this short course you will spend one day in the classroom and another day out on a firing range. You will learn the underpinning theory and legislation that covers the safe handling and operation of a firearm. For the practical part of this course completed at an outdoor firing range,  you will perform a range of exercises to improve your experience and skills in using a firearms.

A basic introduction to the firearms industry, this course covers the skills and knowledge essential to firearms legislation, firearms in the community, licensing requirements, safe handling, firearms terminology, safe storage and transport, as well as additional information which is essential to all shooters.

Help grow a healthy future landscape for Australia!

This skill set provides the knowledge and skills to recognise common weed species, apply a range of weed treatments and control options, plan and coordinate weed control activities using appropriate strategies.

These strategies will provide effective and economic control of weeds, while minimising environmental damage. The skill set will also provide participants with knowledge and skills to carry out a range of propagation tasks, and manually plant trees and shrubs and other containerised and bare-rooted plants.

Plant the seeds for a career working outdoors.

If you enjoy working in nature, cultivating gardens and love seeing your hard work flourish, this course is for you. In this entry-level qualification, you'll gain the practical skills and knowledge to work effectively in the horticultural industry. Horticulturists most commonly work in a gardening, nursery and landscaping setting. 

Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change

Half price fees apply! 

Grow your green thumb for a blossoming career.

When you complete the Certificate III in Horticulture you will be ready for a career working with plants as school or council gardener, groundskeeper, or self-employed landscaper.

You will have the skills and knowledge to work effectively in the horticultural industry, implement propagation plans, control weeds, pests, and diseases, safely prepare, store, and apply chemicals, install irrigation, create plant displays, plant identification and nutrition, and workplace safety and health.

Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Take a closer look at a laboratory career.

With a Certificate III in Laboratory Skills you will gain skills in maintaining a laboratory, routine sampling and testing, recording data, and using laboratory computing programs. You will also learn how to prepare cultures, perform sterile techniques and assist with field work.

The work of technical assistants involves similar tasks within one scientific discipline with occasional peak periods and some interruptions. They work under the direction and regular supervision of senior technical staff, laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel. The work of technical assistants is normally subject to frequent progress and quality checks, and generally work in a team and may have responsibility for their own work outputs.

Please note:
This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Get your lab career exactly where you want it.

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work as a technical assistant, technician or instrument operator. You will learn about quality control, performance of instrumental and non-instrumental tests, standardisation and the use of solutions.

Although technical officers generally work in a laboratory, they often work closely with personnel in other teams within a section of the workplace. They may liaise with suppliers to troubleshoot product non-conformance at the direction of laboratory supervisors or managers, or gather information on non-conformance and events that may lead to the modification of workplace procedures. They may also demonstrate methods to others and train them to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably. The work of technical officers involves frequent peak periods and interruptions.

Successful completion can lead to job opportunities in a range of relevant fields including pathology, manufacturing, environmental testing, mining, and biotechnology.

Please note:
This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Take your laboratory knowledge and experience to the next level.

This course will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to use laboratory application software, plan and conduct laboratory/field work and communicate and provide information to customers. You will also be able to specialise in a diverse range of industries including chemical, medical and pathological, mining, biological, and environmental fields.

Technical officers:

• work according to established procedures in a structured environment
• collect and prepare samples and communicate sample requirements to other personnel
• conduct a wide range of routine and specialised tests where atypical samples may be involved and the instrumentation used has a wide range of operating variables
• contribute to the modification of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enterprise methods when necessary
• define and solve problems where alternatives are not obvious and where investigations and trials may be required and the implications of various solutions considered
• work under the direction and supervision of senior technical staff, laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical professionals, and
• generally work as part of a team and may have a role in the planning of schedules and monitoring of resources in their work area.

Please note:
This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Set yourself up for livestock management 

This skill set will provide the knowledge to understand and manage livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses and goats. It's the perfect introductory to our Agriculture and Livestock Management courses that are available, providing you with the stepping stones into further training opportunities.

Our Livestock Handling Skill Set will have you learning about:

• Handling livestock using basic techniques
• Administering medication
• Identifying and drafting livestock
• Complying with industry animal welfare requirements.

Identify and manage cattle, sheep, horses and goats.

You will gain the skills and knowledge to understand and manage cattle, sheep, horses and goats which includes learning about their behavioural characteristics, welfare requirements, handling and transportation. 

You'll gain skills in:

• Understanding the basic behaviour of livestock
• Understanding their welfare requirements, low stress handling and transportation
• Using safe work practices
• Handle, gather and move large animals
• Assessing the condition of livestock
• Relocating large animals
• Completing relevant documentation
• Complying with legal and legislative requirements 

Implant microchips in dogs and cats with appropriate care 

You will gain the skills and knowledge to understand, interpret and apply microchip implantation procedures on cats and dogs, whilst exhibiting appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised. 

This skill set is suited to individuals who wish to become an Authorised Implanter in conformance with the Western Australian State Government Regulations for microchip implantation of cats and dogs. 

Learn how to operate and keep machinery 

Gain the knowledge required to undertake pre-start checks, operate, maintain and shut down basic machinery and equipment used in the agriculture, horticulture and land management sectors.

The unit applies to individuals who operate basic machinery and equipment to undertake routine work under general supervision with limited autonomy and accountability.

Please note:
This unit does not apply to chainsaws, tractors, vehicles, and earth moving equipment.

Learn how to operate a tractor

Gain the skills and knowledge to operate and complete tractor operations under general supervision in the agriculture, horticulture, and land management sectors.

Working with tractors is an inherently dangerous activity. Individuals who work at this level must be thoroughly instructed in all health and safety in the workplace aspects of operating tractors. The tractor must also comply with relevant Australian standards for tractors.

The unit applies to individuals who operate tractors to undertake routine work under general supervision with limited autonomy and accountability.

Vehicle must be operated according to relevant state/territory licensing authority vehicle licence requirements and regulations.

Please note: this course will be delivered at Muresk Institute.(opens in a new tab)

Learn how to safely operate a hand-held chainsaw.

Gain the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a hand-held chainsaw and maintain it in working condition.

This unit applies to cross-cutting fallen timber using safe cutting techniques.

The unit applies to individuals who apply low risk work procedures and comply with worksite health and safety requirements when operating hand-held chainsaws to carry out routine work.

Bring home the bacon with a Certificate III in Pork Production. 

This entry level qualification provides an occupational outcome in the pork industry. The pork industry expects that graduates from this qualification will be able to perform a range of tasks associated with a person performing the job role of a piggery attendant.

Some things you'll learn:

• How to care for livestock
• How to establish and maintain breeding programs
• How to transport livestock
• How to comply with industry animal welfare requirements
• How to contribute to work health and safety processes

Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Work in this industry and enjoy an outdoor office.

This qualification is delivered by industry experts who have years of experience working in rural environments. You will gain practical skills to work safely on rural work sites and carry out a range of manual tasks — as well as operate machinery and tools.

Students who complete this course can expect to find employment in entry level positions, in agriculture, market gardens, and mixed rural enterprises.

Keep our livestock and farming pest-free.

This qualification provides the skills and knowledge required for pest management contractors, pest management field officers, vertebrate pest management field officers and weed management field officers in the pest management industry. This includes those who work in weed management as well as vertebrate pest management in conservation, land management, horticulture and agriculture settings.

Kick start your career in science.

There is a strong need for sample collection and laboratory skills across a variety of industries, from mining to food manufacturing and construction to pharmaceutical production. Samplers and testers conduct limited sampling and testing as part of their duties in their particular industry. They apply a restricted range of skills and operational knowledge to perform these tasks and do not generally work inside a laboratory. 

Successful completion of this course will qualify you to gather samples required for a variety of industry testing situations. It will also give you the foundation skills necessary to complete further studies in either environmental sciences, health or trades.

Please note:
This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.

Caring for animals can be your every day at the office.

As the first person that the clients, and the pet patients, will see, it’s important that veterinary nurses are trained with high-quality programs, by award-winning, experienced lecturers. This winning combination gives our students the best environment to deepen their knowledge, and hone their skills in communication, empathy, adaptability, and ensure that they are committed to continuous learning.

With a veterinary nursing course at CRTAFE, you’ll learn essential skills required for caring for sick or injured animals, as well as assisting with examination, diagnosis, and surgical procedures. Work in a profession where everyday is different whilst doing exactly what you love to do. As a Vet Nurse you'll work with animals ranging from pocket pets, birds, reptiles, companion animals and livestock or horses, and will have opportunities to work anywhere around our country and the world?