Agriculture Upskilling Courses
Free UQ Skills short courses for eligible University of Queensland students.
Undergraduate students in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability have access to $2,000 worth of UQ Skills short courses to get a competitive edge in the workplace.
Choose from a wide range of packages that will broaden your knowledge and skills in agricultural digital technologies, rural operations, maritime studies, first aid and much more.
How you'll learn
The courses in this program are offered through a combination of online learning and practical sessions at UQ Gatton, along with maritime training at UQ St Lucia.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through a variety of methods, including written exams and reports, oral assessments and practical demonstrations.
Start dates
Courses run throughout the year with multiple dates available.
The Agriculture Upskilling Courses are available to eligible undergraduate students currently enrolled in the UQ School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability.
Eligible students will be notified by the School.
To check your eligibilty, email agfs.student.experience@uq.edu.au.
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.
Create your USI
You must provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before we can accept your enrolment.
Resources
2026 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 681.9 KB) (includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal and other policy information).
Choose from 8 packages:
- Package 1: Safe use of machinery
- Package 2: Plants, chemicals, drones, large animals and first aid
- Package 3: Chemicals, machinery and remote first aid
- Package 4: Livestock handling, tractors, chemicals and remote first aid
- Package 5: Livestock handling and safe machinery use
- Package 6: Livestock handling, chemicals, plants, drones and first aid
- Package 7: Maritime, 4WD, remote first aid and livestock
- Package 8: Agricultural digital technologies
Package 1: Safe use of machinery
| Operate 4WD | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate four wheel drive vehicle | TLIC0023 | ||
| Operate tractors | |||
| Operate tractors | AHCMOM202 | ||
| Farm ready program | |||
| Participate in work health and safety processes | AHCWHS202 | ||
| Operate side by side utility vehicles | AHCMOM216 | ||
| Operate quad bikes | AHCMOM217 | ||
| Maintain and operate chainsaws and fell small trees | |||
| Operate and maintain chainsaws | AHCMOM213 | ||
| Fell small trees | AHCPCM205 | ||
Package 2: Plants, chemicals, drones, large animals and first aid
| Agricultural chemical handling | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport and store chemicals | AHCHM304 | ||
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases | AHCCHM307 | ||
| Control weeds | AHCPMG301 | ||
| Plants | |||
| Biosecurity plant protection | — | ||
| Operate drones | |||
| Operate multi-rotor remote pilot aircraft systems | AVIY0027 | ||
| Large animal handling | |||
| Large animal handling masterclass | — | ||
| First aid | |||
| Provide first aid | HLTAID011 | ||
Package 3: Chemicals, machinery and remote first aid
| Agricultural chemical handling | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport and store chemicals | AHCHM304 | ||
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases | AHCCHM307 | ||
| Control weeds | AHCPMG301 | ||
| Operate tractors | |||
| Operate tractors | AHCMOM202 | ||
| Farm ready program | |||
| Participate in work health and safety processes | AHCWHS202 | ||
| Operate side by side utility vehicles | AHCMOM216 | ||
| Operate quad bikes | AHCMOM217 | ||
| Remote first aid | |||
| Provide first aid in remote or isolated site | HLTAID013 | ||
Package 4: Livestock handling, tractors, chemicals and remote first aid
| Livestock handling | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle livestock using basic techniques | AHCLSK224 | ||
| Muster and move livestock | AHCLSK228 | ||
| Identify and draft livestock | AHCLSK350 | ||
| Operate tractors | |||
| Operate tractors | AHCMOM202 | ||
| Agricultural chemical handling | |||
| Transport and store chemicals | AHCHM304 | ||
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases | AHCCHM307 | ||
| Control weeds | AHCPMG301 | ||
| Remote first aid | |||
| Provide first aid in remote or isolated site | HLTAID013 | ||
Package 5: Livestock handling and safe machinery use
| Livestock handling | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle livestock using basic techniques | AHCLSK224 | ||
| Muster and move livestock | AHCLSK228 | ||
| Identify and draft livestock | AHCLSK350 | ||
| Operate tractors | |||
| Operate tractors | AHCMOM202 | ||
| Farm ready program | |||
| Participate in work health and safety processes | AHCWHS202 | ||
| Operate side by side utility vehicles | AHCMOM216 | ||
| Operate quad bikes | AHCMOM217 | ||
| Maintain and operate chainsaws and fell small trees | |||
| Operate and maintain chainsaws | AHCMOM213 | ||
| Fell small trees | AHCPCM205 | ||
Package 6: Livestock handling, chemicals, plants, drones and first aid
| Livestock handling | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle livestock using basic techniques | AHCLSK224 | ||
| Muster and move livestock | AHCLSK228 | ||
| Identify and draft livestock | AHCLSK350 | ||
| Agricultural chemical handling | |||
| Transport and store chemicals | AHCHM304 | ||
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases | AHCCHM307 | ||
| Control weeds | AHCPMG301 | ||
| Plants | |||
| Biosecurity plant protection | — | ||
| Operate drones | |||
| Operate multi-rotor remote pilot aircraft systems | AVIY0027 | ||
| First aid | |||
| Provide first aid | HLTAID011 | ||
Package 7: Maritime, 4WD, remote first aid and livestock
| Shipboard Safety Skill Set (MARSS00008) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment | MARF060 | ||
| Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel | MARF028 | ||
| Meet work health and safety requirements | MARF029 | ||
| Survive at sea using survival craft | MARF030 | ||
| Operate 4WD | |||
| Operate four wheel drive vehicle | TLIC0023 | ||
| First aid | |||
| Provide first aid in remote or isolated site | HLTAID013 | ||
| Animal handling | |||
| Large animal handling masterclass | — | ||
Package 8: Agricultural digital technologies
| Agricultural digital technologies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Select and implement a GIS for sustainable agricultural systems | AHCAGB516 | ||
| Select and use agricultural technology | AHCAGB521 | ||
| Collect and manage data | AHCWRK506 | ||
The cost of each package in this program is $2,000.
Eligible undergraduate students in the UQ School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability can enrol in a package fee-free.
Eligible students will be notified by the School.
To check your eligibilty, email agfs.student.experience@uq.edu.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Agriculture Upskilling Courses?
- Who are these courses designed for?
- How are the courses delivered?
- Where do the practical components take place?
- How long do the courses take to complete?
- When do courses run?
- Why should I enrol in these courses?
- Do I receive a qualification?
What are Agriculture Upskilling Courses?
Agriculture Upskilling Courses are packages of free short courses to help students in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability build practical skills and knowledge across areas such as digital agriculture, rural operations, biosecurity and safety.
Who are these courses designed for?
The courses are designed for undergraduate students in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability who are in their second, third of fourth year of study. Students receive $2,000 in free short courses, funded by the School.
How are the courses delivered?
Most courses use a blended delivery model, combining online theory components (completed at your own pace) and short, hands-on practical workshops (often 2–3 days). This ensures you gain both theoretical understanding and real-world skills.
Where do the practical components take place?
Practical training is typically delivered at UQ Gatton, with access to industry-standard facilities and equipment.
How long do the courses take to complete?
Course duration varies depending on the topic, but most are short courses that can be completed within a few days. Some include flexible online components followed by intensive practical sessions.
When do courses run?
Courses run throughout the year with multiple dates available.
Download the delivery schedule (PDF, 122.7 KB)
Why should I enrol in these courses?
These courses give students a competitive edge in the workplace, providing practical skills relevant for a wide range of jobs in agriculture.
Do I receive a qualification?
Some courses are nationally recognised and contribute towards formal qualifications, while others are non-accredited skill-based training. All students receive a certificate of completion.