Certificate IV in Farriery apprenticeship
ACM40818
Nationally accredited
qualification
3 years
Apprenticeship
UQ Gatton
Gain advanced knowledge and skills to qualify as a farrier and run your own business with the Certificate IV in Farriery ACM40818.
This nationally accredited program for apprentice farriers is a mixture of on-the-job training and study at UQ's Gatton campus.
You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy, biomechanics and pathologies, and the advanced technical abilities to provide practical solutions and administer care.
You'll graduate able to effectively and accurately communicate equine health, hoof and shoe care issues to equine owners and veterinarians in a variety of circumstances.
Be taught by the best
The Certificate IV in Farriery ACM40818 is led by Master Farrier and Farriery Trainer, Craig Jones, winner of the prestigious VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year Award at the 2023 Queensland Training Awards.
How you’ll learn
The program is delivered over 3 years through a combination of theoretical and practical training.
You’ll attend training at UQ's Gatton campus either:
- 1 day every 2 weeks, or
- 4 days every 8 weeks (block model).
UQ Gatton training block
UQ has accommodation options for students travelling to Gatton:
- UQ Gatton Motel: $121 per room/per night
- Meals in dining hall: $15 per meal/per student.
As an apprentice, you may be eligible for travel and accommodation allowances. Check your eligibility:
Assessment
You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including written exams and reports, oral assessments and practical demonstrations.
Start date
This program begins in January each year.
You must be employed as an apprentice with a farrier.
All UQ Skills programs require access to a computer with a Windows operating system, up-to-date versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a reliable internet connection.
Vaccination requirements
As you'll be exposed to animals and agricultural environments as part of your learning, immunisations against tetanus are mandatory. You'll need to provide evidence of immunisation before you commence your program.
You may also require vaccination against Q fever, lyssavirus, rabies or influenza (flu), depending on the work and environment within which you interact with animals.
If you fail to complete mandatory requirements, this may affect your ability to fulfil the inherent requirements of your program.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing
You’re required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy test as part of the enrolment process. This helps us identify and plan for any learning or support needs you may have before you start your training.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have recent work experience you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.
Create your USI
You must provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before we can accept your enrolment.
Resources
2025 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 2.5 MB) (includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal and other policy information).
Queensland
You may need to contribute to the cost of your training through a co-contribution fee.
- Co-contribution fee: $1,988.80
- Partial exemption fee: $795.52
- High school apprentices: free (fees may apply once you finish high school)
- Under 25s apprentices: free
Visit our Funding page to find out more.
New South Wales
- Smart and Skilled Fee-free Apprenticeships: fee-free (this training is subsidised by the NSW Government)
NSW regions covered by Smart and Skilled for this training
- Capital Region
- Central Coast
- Central West
- Coffs Harbour – Grafton
- Far West and Orana
- Hunter Valley (excluding Newcastle)
- Illawarra
- Mid North Coast
- Murray
- New England and North West
- Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Richmond – Tweed
- Riverina
- Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven
- Sydney
Visit our Funding page to find out more.
Tertiary Access Payment
If you have just finished Year 12 and need to move from outer-regional or remote Australia to study at UQ Gatton, you may be eligible for a $5,000 Tertiary Access Payment to help with relocation costs.
To achieve this qualification, you must complete 21 units.
| Course | Course code |
|---|---|
| Perform welding tasks using a forge | ACMFAR305 |
| Make standard shoes for a range of equines | ACMFAR307 |
| Trim equine hooves | ACMFAR313 |
| Perform routine welding techniques for farriery activities | ACMFAR314 |
| Use and maintain hand and power tools for farriery or hoof care activities | ACMFAR315 |
| Repair and manufacture hand tools used in farriery | ACMFAR318 |
| Handle equines safely during farriery or hoof care services | ACMFAR319 |
| Apply knowledge of equine musculoskeletal system, biomechanics and pathology for effective hoof care | ACMFAR401 |
| Fit shoes to alleviate moderate abnormalities and defects in equines | ACMFAR402 |
| Fit shoes to alleviate severe abnormalities and defects in equines | ACMFAR403 |
| Use farriery techniques to meet special needs of equines | ACMFAR404 |
| Coordinate day-to-day equine service operations | ACMFAR405 |
| Work effectively in farriery industry | ACMFAR406 |
| Respond to emergencies and apply first aid to equines | ACMFAR407 |
| Determine hoof care and hoof protection plans for equines | ACMFAR408 |
| Select and fit shoes for normal healthy equines | ACMFAR409 |
| Maintain financial records | BSBFIA301 |
| Organise finances for the micro business | BSBSMB303 |
| Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for the micro business | BSBSMB305 |
| Maintain workplace safety | BSBWHS301 |
| Provide first aid | HLTAID011 |
In this video, student Josh shares how no 2 days are the same when you're an apprentice farrier (YouTube 1m:26s).
Disclaimer
Details are correct at the time of upload and are subject to change. UQ Skills reserves the right to change programs, subjects or costs or to cancel a program based on consideration of student numbers and resource allocation. Ensure that you understand the program, subjects, associated costs and fee liability prior to signing an enrolment form.
