Qualification Outline
22/07/2026 11:33 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Certificate III in Arboriculture
Certificate III in Arboriculture
AHC30820
BFG5
Replaced
Replaced
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Releases
| Release Version | Release Date | TGA Status | DTWD Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.00 | 26/03/2022 | Current | Transition (Replaced) |
| 2.00 | 15/02/2022 | Replaced | Approved |
| 1.00 | 26/08/2020 | Replaced | Approved |
Description
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for trade level roles in the arboriculture industry, including, climbing arborist, EWP arborist, crane specialist, environmental arborist and an arborist works coordinator.
Individuals with this qualification perform a range of arboriculture activities including, shaping and canopy management, tree health and remediation, environmental and habitat development, to tree dismantling and removal. The work involves high risk operations either working at heights or conducting support works to individuals working above ground. Work practices operate within a strict safety regime to protect workers and public.
Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some States and Territories.
Schedule
Packaging Rules
To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:Eighteen (18) units of competency:
- nine (9) core units plus
- nine (9) elective units.
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:
- seven (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 two (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 three (3) of the nine (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 three (3) electives from Group A must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Climbing Arborist)
- All four (4) electives from Group B must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Crane Specialist)
- All four (4) electives from Group C must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Elevated Work Platform - EWP Arborist)
- All four (4) electives from Group D must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Environmental arborist)
- All three (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).
Note: Units listed in the Prerequisite requirement column that have their own prerequisite requirements are shown with an asterisk (*)
Pathways
| State Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AC64 | Climbing Arborist |
| AE43 | Elevated Work Platform – EWP Arborist |
1. Core Units
All nine (9) units must be completed.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXK70 | FWPFGM3212 | Fall trees manually (intermediate) | 100 | Unit of competency |
| OBV47 | AHCARB323 | Identify trees | 80 | Unit of competency |
| OBV48 | AHCARB314 | Implement a tree maintenance program | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OBV56 | AHCARB315 | Inspect trees for access and work | 70 | Unit of competency |
| AXL66 | FWPCOT2237 | Maintain chainsaws | 20 | Unit of competency |
| OBV60 | AHCARB213 | Perform ground-based rigging | 55 | Unit of competency |
| OBV46 | AHCARB316 | Perform pruning operations | 70 | Unit of competency |
| OCD30 | HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid | 18 | Unit of competency |
| AXL63 | FWPCOT2239 | Trim and cut felled trees | 40 | Unit of competency |
2. Group A Climbing Specialist
All three (3) electives from Group A must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Climbing Arborist).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBV39 | AHCARB317 | Dismantle trees | 115 | Unit of competency |
| OBV69 | AHCARB318 | Undertake aerial rescue | 55 | Unit of competency |
| OBV66 | AHCARB319 | Use arborist climbing techniques | 110 | Unit of competency |
3. Group B Crane Specialist
All four (4) electives from Group B must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Crane Specialist).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBV39 | AHCARB317 | Dismantle trees | 115 | Unit of competency |
| D7375 | CPCCDO3011A | Perform dogging | 32 | Unit of competency |
| OBV66 | AHCARB319 | Use arborist climbing techniques | 110 | Unit of competency |
| OBV45 | AHCARB324 | Use cranes to access and dismantle trees | 90 | Unit of competency |
4. Group C Elevated Work Platform (EWP) Specialist
All four (4) electives from Group C must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Elevated Work Platform - EWP Arborist),
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBV39 | AHCARB317 | Dismantle trees | 115 | Unit of competency |
| OAE39 | TLILIC0005 | Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OBH31 | UETTDRRF08 | Perform EWP controlled descent escape | 0 | Unit of competency |
| ODN39 | UETDRRF002 | Perform EWP rescue | 0 | Unit of competency |
5. Group D Environmental Arborist (habitat protection and creation)
All four (4) electives from Group D must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Environmental arborist).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAM39 | AHCLPW304 | Carry out inspection of designated area | 40 | Unit of competency |
| BAQ40 | AHCNAR202 | Maintain wildlife habitat refuges | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OBV70 | AHCARB325 | Manage trees to create and maintain habitat refuges | 70 | Unit of competency |
| BAP14 | AHCFAU201 | Recognise fauna | 40 | Unit of competency |
6. Group E Works Coordinator
All three (3) electives from Group E must be selected for the award of the Certificate III in Arboriculture (Works Coordinator).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBV52 | AHCARB409 | Conduct a safety audit | 70 | Unit of competency |
| OBV51 | AHCARB408 | Perform a ground-based tree defect evaluation | 90 | Unit of competency |
| OBV50 | AHCARB407 | Supervise and audit tree operations | 90 | Unit of competency |
7. Group F General Electives
Electives F Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
8. Group G Prerequisite Units
Electives from Group G can only be selected where required as a prerequisite.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W9435 | CPCCOHS2001A | Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry | 32 | Unit of competency |
| OCD26 | HLTAID009 | Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation | 4 | Unit of competency |
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDE4 | AHC30816 | Certificate III in Arboriculture | Qualification |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BJR6 | AHC30824 | Certificate III in Arboriculture | Qualification |
No information
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Traineeships and Apprenticeships
For elite athletes the minimum hours of employment are 7.5 hours per week, which can be averaged over six month periods.
SBA School Based Year 11 & 12 only.