Certificate III in Arboriculture
This trade-level qualification covers arborist work, such as pruning and shaping trees, tree health care, inspecting trees, rigging, and felling and removing trees. The work is high risk, often at heights, and follows strict safety rules. If you already work as an arborist, your experience could be recognised through RPL.
- TRAINING PACKAGE
- AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Nil
- SUPERSEDES
- AHC30820 Certificate III in Arboriculture (not equivalent)
WHO IT'S FOR
Climbing arborists and tree workers with real experience who want a trade-level qualification.
TYPICAL JOB ROLES
- Arborist
- Climbing arborist
- Tree surgeon
- EWP arborist
Qualification structure
18 units in total. Elective units must ensure the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Quality Framework (AQF) alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. The electives are to be chosen as follows: 7 units must be from groups A, B, C, D, E or F, with all the units from at least one specialisation selected from the specialisations listed below. The remaining 2 units may be selected from units listed in groups A, B, C, D, E or F or any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course. No more than 3 of the 9 electives selected can be coded with an AQF indicator below level 3 or reflect outcomes below AQF level 3. Electives are to be packaged to provide a qualification with one or more specialisations as follows: All 3 electives from Group A must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Climbing Arborist). All 4 electives from Group B must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Crane Specialist). All 4 electives from Group C must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Elevated Work Platform – EWP Arborist). All 4 electives from Group D must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Environmental arborist). All 3 electives from Group E must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Works Coordinator). Electives from Group G can only be selected where required as a prerequisite. Note: If more than one specialisation is completed, award of the qualification would read (for example): Certificate III in Arboriculture (Climbing Arborist, Elevated Work Platform – EWP Arborist).
Core units
9 units- AHCARB213Perform ground-based rigging
- AHCARB314Implement a tree maintenance program
- AHCARB315Inspect trees for access and work
- AHCARB316Perform pruning operations
- AHCARB323Identify trees
- FWPCOT2254Maintain chainsaws
- FWPCOT2273Trim and cut felled trees
- FWPCOT3350Fell trees manually (intermediate)
- HLTAID011Provide First Aid
Elective units
38 unitsGroup A Climbing Specialist
- AHCARB317Dismantle trees
- AHCARB318 (has a prerequisite)Undertake aerial rescue
- AHCARB319Use arborist climbing techniques
Group B Crane Specialist
- AHCARB317Dismantle trees
- AHCARB324Use cranes to access and dismantle trees
- CPCCDO3011 (has a prerequisite)Perform dogging
- AHCARB319Use arborist climbing techniques
Group C Elevated Work Platform (EWP) Specialist
- AHCARB317Dismantle trees
- TLILIC0005Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more)
- UETDRMP005 (has a prerequisite)Perform elevated work platform rescue
- UETDRMP004 (has a prerequisite)Perform elevated work platform controlled descent
Group D Environmental Arborist (Habitat protection and creation)
- AHCARB325Manage trees to create and maintain habitat refuges
- AHCFAU202Recognise fauna
- AHCLPW312Carry out inspection of designated area
- AHCECR202Maintain wildlife habitat refuges
Group E Works Coordinator
- AHCARB407Supervise and audit tree operations
- AHCARB408Perform a ground-based tree defect evaluation
- AHCARB409Conduct a safety audit
Group F General Electives
- AHCARB212Operate and maintain stump grinding machines
- AHCARB321Implement a tree protection program
- AHCARB320Install tree support systems
- AHCARB322Access trees for inspection
- AHCARB406Verify pruning specifications
- AHCBIO303Apply biosecurity measures
- AHCCHM304Transport and store chemicals
- AHCCHM307Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
- AHCPMG301Control weeds
- AHCPMG302Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
- AHCWRK317Coordinate work site activities
- RIIWHS204EWork safely at heights
- FWPCOT3301Trim trees using a pole saw
- FWPCOT3351Fell trees manually (advanced)
- FWPHAR2208Operate a mobile chipper/mulcher
- RIIWHS205EControl traffic with stop-slow bat
- UETDREL006Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker
Group G Prerequisite units
- CPCCWHS2001Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
- HLTAID009Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- UEECD0007Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
This unit has a prerequisite unit. Check the unit on training.gov.au for details.
PREREQUISITES
- AHCARB318 Undertake aerial rescue — prerequisite: HLTAID011 Provide First Aid; AHCARB319 Use arborists climbing techniques
- CPCCDO3011 Perform dogging — prerequisite: CPCCWHS2001 Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
- UETDRMP005 Perform elevated work — prerequisite: HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation and; UEECD0007 Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace or; TLILIC0005 Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) or; UETDREL006 Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker
- UETDRMP004 Perform elevated work — prerequisite: UEECD0007 Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace or; TLILIC0005 Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more)
EVIDENCE YOU'LL NEED
- Resume showing your work history
- Reference letters from employers
- Photos or videos of jobs you've done
- Payslips or employment contracts