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Nationally Recognised RPL Pathway

Certificate II in Horticulture

AHC20422

You have built a practical foundation in the horticulture industry through hands-on work in gardens or nurseries. We are currently establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations to offer a recognition pathway for this qualification. Register your interest to stay informed as we work to bring your experience into the formal recognition system.

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About This Qualification

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for a range of entry level horticulture job roles. Individuals with this qualification carry out routine tasks under supervision where the work is predictable and structured with limited judgement requirements. The qualification is suited to VET programs delivered to secondary school students or learners with no previous connection to the horticulture industry or relevant employment history. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Qualification Code

AHC20422

Training Package

AHC — Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package

AQF Level

Certificate II

Total Units

15 (8 core + 7 elective)

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

RPL It Status: Available

Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Career Outcomes

According to training.gov.au, this qualification supports the following roles:

RoleResponsibilities
Garden LabourerAssisting with the planting and maintenance of lawns, trees, and flower beds in commercial or residential settings.
Horticulture AssistantSupporting the daily operations of a wholesale or retail nursery, including plant propagation and stock care.
Landscape WorkerPerforming routine tasks in landscape construction and garden maintenance under the guidance of a supervisor.

Delivering Registered Training Organisations

All assessment and qualification issuance for this qualification is carried out by one of the following partner RTOs, each of which holds AHC20422 on their scope of registration with ASQA:

Which RTO will deliver my qualification? The delivering RTO will be confirmed during your skills review and prior to enrolment. Your qualification will be issued directly by the delivering RTO and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Fees

Final pricing will be confirmed before enrolment.

You will receive a detailed, personalised quote — including the total fee, payment terms, interest-free payment plan options, and the name of the delivering RTO — before you are asked to enrol or make any payment.

Refund policy:If RPL It is unable to process your application, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid to RPL It. Once your portfolio has been submitted to the RTO for assessment, the RTO's refund policy applies. Details will be provided before enrolment.

Indicative Timeframes

✓ What we control

  • • Guiding you through evidence gathering
  • • Submitting a complete portfolio to the RTO
  • • Following up on your behalf

⏳ What we don't control

  • • The RTO's assessment workload
  • • The assessor's evaluation timeline
  • • The qualification issuance process

Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary based on qualification complexity, evidence completeness, and RTO capacity.

Roles & Responsibilities

RPL It AustraliaDelivering RTO
RoleStudent support serviceRegistered Training Organisation
Initial skills review✅
Evidence gathering guidance✅
Formal assessment✅ Qualified assessors
Assessment judgement✅ Made by the RTO
Gap trainingAvailable if required (delivered by RTO)
Qualification issuance✅ Issued by the RTO
Complaints & appealsOwn complaints process✅ RTO process applies to assessments

RPL It Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 55 689 826 917) is not an RTO and does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Ready to get recognised?

Start with a free skills review to see if your experience aligns with this qualification.

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Could RPL Be Right for You?

Experience can be evidence.

RPL is the process that helps you demonstrate it.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification. It isn't a shortcut — it applies the same assessment standards as any other pathway.

RPL typically involves:

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A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements

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Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency

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Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation

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If gaps are identified, targeted training to build on your existing expertise

ℹ️ Important Pathway Advice

RPL isn't the right pathway for everyone. If you don't have substantial, relevant, and current industry experience, a traditional study pathway may serve you better.

Our approach:

“We'd rather guide you to the right pathway than enrol you in the wrong one.”

What Kind of Experience Counts?

If RPL becomes available for this qualification, the types of experience and evidence that would typically be relevant include:

🌱

Work History & Roles

  • ✓Detailed resume or work history outlining roles in gardening, landscaping, or nursery work
  • ✓Position descriptions for roles involving grounds maintenance or plant care
  • ✓References or letters from supervisors confirming your routine horticulture tasks
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Plant Care & Maintenance

  • ✓Photos or videos showing you planting trees, shrubs, or groundcovers
  • ✓Records of weed treatment and pest management activities performed on-site
  • ✓Evidence of your ability to recognise common plant species and their health requirements
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Machinery & Equipment

  • ✓Logbooks or workplace checklists for operating basic mowers, blowers, or trimmers
  • ✓Evidence of routine maintenance performed on gardening hand tools and equipment
  • ✓Safety induction records for the use of specific horticulture machinery
🧪

Soil & Site Support

  • ✓Notes or reports from assisting with soil sampling and basic testing
  • ✓Evidence of participating in site clean-ups and sustainable waste disposal
  • ✓Documentation of site preparation, including mulch application or media mixing
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Safety & Compliance

  • ✓Completed JSA (Job Safety Analysis) or SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements)
  • ✓Records of participation in workplace health and safety meetings or toolboxes
  • ✓Current First Aid certificate or chemical application records if applicable
❓

Not sure if you qualify?

Speak with our team for a free eligibility discussion.

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This is general guidance based on training.gov.au. Specific requirements will be confirmed by the delivering RTO's assessor when RPL becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this qualification and RPL.

Is this qualification currently available through RPL It?▾
Not at this moment. We are in the process of identifying and establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that meet our standards for horticulture assessment. By registering your interest, you will be the first to know when a pathway becomes available.
Why should I register my interest?▾
Registering allows us to gauge the demand for this specific horticulture qualification. It also ensures you receive direct updates regarding RTO partnerships, helping you move toward recognition as soon as the pathway is open.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?▾
Yes. A qualification achieved through Recognition of Prior Learning is issued by a Registered Training Organisation and carries the same national weight as one earned through a classroom. The difference lies only in how you demonstrate your competency—using your existing experience as evidence.
Will I need to identify specific plants as part of the assessment?▾
Yes, plant recognition is a core component of this qualification. You will need to demonstrate that you can identify various plants and understand their specific growth requirements and common health issues.
What happens if I have gaps in my experience?▾
If an assessor identifies areas where your evidence doesn't fully meet the national standard, gap training will be provided. This ensures you can build on your existing skills to complete the qualification without needing to repeat what you already know.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?▾
Yes. RPL is a legitimate form of assessment within the Australian VET system. The qualification issued is identical to one obtained through any other mode of delivery and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Who assesses my evidence?▾
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor employed or contracted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO) — not by RPL It. The assessor holds the credentials required under the 2025 Standards for RTOs and has current industry experience.
What if gaps are identified in my skills?▾
If the assessor identifies areas where your evidence does not fully demonstrate competency, the RTO can provide gap training. The RTO will discuss any associated requirements or costs with you if this becomes necessary. Gap training is targeted to the specific areas identified and is designed to help you meet the full requirements of the qualification.
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?▾
If the initial skills review indicates that RPL is not suitable for you at this time, we’ll let you know honestly and discuss alternative options. We would rather direct you to the right pathway than enrol you in a process that won’t lead to a successful outcome.
How long does the RPL process take?▾
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. However, this is an average based on past outcomes — not a guarantee. Factors include qualification complexity, evidence completeness, whether gap training is required, and the RTO’s current assessment capacity.
Can I do this from outside Australia?▾
This depends on the specific qualification. Many qualifications are based on Australian codes, standards, and legislation, and some require access to an Australian workplace for assessment. If you are based outside Australia, please contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your circumstances.

Related Qualifications

Other qualifications in the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package.

Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management

AHC60319

Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Arboriculture

AHC60524

Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management

AHC60422

Certificate I

Certificate I in Agriculture

AHC10222

Certificate I

Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management

AHC10124

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