Rural Skills short courses
Gain practical experience and knowledge for a career in the rural and related industries with a rural skills short course.
Our hands-on courses are aimed at existing and future workers. They cover a diverse range of topics, from vehicle and machinery operation to chemical handling and workplace health and safety.
How you'll learn
Most courses have an online theory component that you must complete before the practical component.
Practical workshops run for 2 to 3 days at UQ Gatton.
Start dates
Minimum class sizes must be met for this course to go ahead.
Contact us to discuss on-farm or workplace training, and large-group bookings.
There are no formal entry requirements.
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
2025 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 2.5 MB) (includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal and other policy information).
Fees
Fees are per person per course, and can vary depending on the duration of training and number of enrolments.
Contact us for more information and to ask about large-group discounts.
Course | Course code | Price | UQ staff price |
---|---|---|---|
Operate four wheel drive vehicle | TLIC0023 | $545 | $495 |
Operate tractors | AHCMOM202 | $545 | $495 |
Operate side-by-side utility vehicles | AHCMOM216 | $545 | $495 |
Operate quad bikes | AHCMOM217 | $545 | $495 |
Farm Ready Program | AHCWHS202 / AHCMOM216 / AHCMOM217 | $600 | - |
Maintain and operate chainsaws and fell small trees | AHCMOM213 / AHCPCM205 | $695 | $645 |
Perform machinery maintenance | AHCMOM302 | $1,140 | $990 |
Pesticide user training | AHCCHM307 / AHCCHM304 / AHCPMG301 | $550 | $475 |
Large-animal handling workshop | Non accredited | $530 (+GST) | $530 (+GST) |
Choose your course
Each course has an online theory component followed by practical workshops at the UQ Gatton campus.
All course dates TBA, unless otherwise indicated below.
Course | Outline | Course code |
---|---|---|
Operate four wheel drive vehicle | Safely operate a four wheel drive vehicle on roads, traversing gradients, ascending and descending steep gradients, and in rugged terrain. | TLIC0023 |
Operate tractors | Safe tractor operation principles, including procedures and guidelines, occupational health and safety, and risk management. | AHCMOM202 |
Operate side-by-side utility vehicles | Safely operate a side-by-side utility vehicle, including pre-start checks and shutdown procedures. | AHCMOM216 |
Operate quad bikes | Safely operate quad bikes in off-road conditions. | AHCMOM217 |
Farm Ready Program | Farm work health and safety and hands-on skills acquisition with quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles. | AHCWHS202 / AHCMOM216 / AHCMOM217 |
Maintain and operate chainsaws and fell small trees | Safely operate chainsaws, scheduled maintenance, hazards and personal protection. Fell small trees where hazards have been assessed as low risk. | AHCMOM213 / AHCPCM205 |
Perform machinery maintenance | Prepare, inspect, maintain and record maintenance requirements for machinery that is used in agriculture, horticulture, and conservation and land management. | AHCMOM302 |
Pesticide user training | Chemical preparation and application, weed control, plant pests, diseases and disorders, transport, storage, labels, SDS and recording. | AHCCHM307 / AHCCHM304 / AHCPMG301 |
Large-animal handling workshop | Large-animal care and handling, signs of stress, approaching and restraining animals safely, leading and handling for transport, and workplace health and safety. Suited to employees already working in animal care and management. | non accredited |
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.