AHC31424Certificate IIICurrentAHC training package
AHC31424 Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
AHC31424 is the nationally recognised Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. It prepares you for work as a conservation officer. It has been the current version on the national register since 2024, when it replaced AHC31421. Employers posted about 439 conservation officer jobs in June 2026, down 8.2% on a year earlier.
Often searched as Cert 3 in Conservation and Ecosystem Management · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Online job ads · June 2026
439last month
Conservation officer roles advertised across Australia
Down on a year earlier
Long-term outlook
Positive
Three structural signals up; current job ads down
Register status
Current
Replaced AHC31421 in 2024
Enrolments
Rising fast
Up 3233.3% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer
The long-term signals behind the Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management are positive, though current job advertising is below a year earlier. Conservation officers are in national shortage, employment is projected to grow through 2035 and enrolments are rising. Job ads in June 2026 were down 8.2% on a year earlier. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.
Jobs and Skills Australia
Is the work there?
Employers are posting fewer conservation officer jobs than a year ago. About 439 conservation officer jobs were advertised online in June 2026, down 8.2% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months there were about 5,400 job ads, while 1,500 people were training in the qualification nationally (2025). Ads show the market. Enrolments show the pipeline. Neither is a job promise.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index · latest month June 2026 · ANZSCO 2343
Combined monthly online job ads across Conservation Officer, to June 2026
Official shortage list
Australia's official shortage list rates environmental research scientists as in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Environmental Research Scientist as in national shortage; Conservation Officer, Environmental Consultant, Park Ranger and Environmental Scientists nec as not in shortage.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List · 2025 assessment
Ten year outlook
Conservation officer jobs are projected to grow. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 31,524 workers in May 2025, 34,328 by May 2030 (up 8.9%) and 36,769 by May 2035 (up 16.6%).
31,524
workers, May 2025
34,328
workers, May 2030
36,769
workers, May 2035
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET Activity
Who is training
More people are choosing the Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management every year. Across Australia, 45 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 1,500, up 3233.3% in a year. National data for AHC31424 starts in 2024.
2019
not yet introduced
2020
not yet introduced
2021
not yet introduced
2022
not yet introduced
2023
not yet introduced
45
2024
1,500
2025
NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework
What does studying it involve?
The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.
How long it takes
A Certificate III is typically 1 to 2 years of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to AHC31424 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training lists
What does it cost, and who funds it?
State funding for AHC31424 is being verified against official program lists.
Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.
Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packaging
What is in the qualification
The register lists 2 core units for the Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, plus 139 elective options. Prerequisites apply to 11 of them, marked below.
AHCECR309Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works
AHCWHS302Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
View the 139 elective options
ACMGEN309Provide basic animal first aid
AHCARB325Manage trees to create and maintain habitat refuges
AHCBIO301Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest
AHCBIO303Apply biosecurity measures
AHCBUS408Operate within a budget framework
AHCCFP301Identify the effects of climate change as a factor in land management
AHCCHM304Transport and store chemicals
AHCCHM307Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
AHCECR203Perform basic ecological restoration works
AHCECR301Maintain native ecosystem areas
AHCECR302Collect and preserve biological samples
AHCECR303Implement biological reintroduction works
AHCECR304Undertake direct seeding
AHCECR305Collect native seed
AHCECR306Conduct photography for fieldwork
AHCECR307Read and interpret maps
AHCECR308Conduct a site inspection for ecological restoration
AHCECR310Implement assisted regeneration works
AHCECR311Implement ecosystem reconstruction works
AHCEXP303Prepare and use explosives
AHCEXP304Identify and select explosive products
AHCFAU302Identify fauna in the field
AHCFAU303Respond to wildlife emergencies
AHCFAU501Manage fauna populations
AHCFIR202Assist with planned burning
AHCFIR301Undertake burning for fuel, ecological and cultural resource management (has prerequisites)
AHCINF305Implement property improvement, construction and repair
AHCINF307Plan and construct conventional fencing
AHCIRG436Implement an irrigation-related environmental protection program
AHCLPW302Implement a biodiversity monitoring plan
AHCLPW307Perform restricted diving for scientific purposes (has prerequisites)
AHCLPW308Coordinate and report on data collection
AHCLPW309Operate remotely piloted system for conservation work
AHCLPW310Supervise park visitor activities
AHCLPW311Construct access tracks
AHCLPW312Carry out inspection of designated area
AHCLPW313Undertake sampling and testing of water
AHCLSC311Set out site for construction works
AHCLSC318Erect timber structures and features
AHCMAR301Conduct a subtidal marine monitoring operation from a vessel or platform
AHCMAR302Conduct intertidal marine monitoring
AHCMAR303Coordinate marine conservation activities on small vessels
AHCMAR304Identify and collect marine life
AHCMAR305Monitor ocean conditions and marine environmental quality
AHCMAR306Operate mobile underwater vehicles
AHCMOM213Operate and maintain chainsaws
AHCMOM301Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair
AHCMOM302Perform machinery maintenance
AHCMOM304Operate machinery and equipment
AHCMOM305Operate specialised machinery and equipment
AHCMOM314Transport machinery
AHCMOM315Operate chemical application machinery and equipment
AHCNRM301Establish an Australian native stingless bee colony
AHCOCM301Provide information on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples' cultural practice
AHCOCM302Work with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community or organisation (has prerequisites)
AHCOCM303Follow Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols
AHCOCM304Implement cultural burning practices on Country (has prerequisites)
AHCOCM305Identify customs and land rights for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community
AHCPCM204Recognise plants
AHCPCM303Identify plant specimens
AHCPCM306Provide information on plants and their culture
AHCPGD307Implement a plant establishment program
AHCPGD310Implement a landscape maintenance program
AHCPGD311Conduct operational inspection of park facilities
AHCPGD312Implement a maintenance program for an aquatic environment
AHCPMG301Control weeds
AHCPMG302Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
AHCPMG304Use firearms to humanely destroy animals
AHCPMG305Survey pests
AHCPMG306Determine pest control techniques
AHCPMG307Apply animal trapping techniques
AHCPMG308Implement pest management strategies
AHCPMG312Apply poison baits for vertebrate pest control in rural and environmental landscapes
AHCPMG402Ensure compliance with pest legislation
AHCPMG403Apply predator trapping techniques
AHCSAW202Recognise landforms and soil types
AHCSAW303Construct conservation earthworks
AHCSAW304Implement erosion and sediment control measures
AHCSAW402Set out conservation earthworks
AHCSPO312Sample seed before and after processing
AHCWRK314Monitor weather conditions
AHCWRK315Respond to emergencies
AHCWRK316Respond to rescue incidents
AHCWRK317Coordinate work site activities
AHCWRK320Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
AHCWRK321Provide on-job training support
AHCWRK322Conduct site inspections
AHCWRK323Operate in isolated and remote situations
BSBPMG427Apply project procurement procedures
BSBTEC301Design and produce business documents
CPCWHS1001Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
CPPSSI2012Assist in collecting basic spatial data
CPPSSI2013Store and retrieve basic spatial data
CPPSSI3011Produce basic maps
CPPSSI4035Apply GIS software to spatial problems
CPPWMT3004Comply with environmental protection requirements when transporting waste
FWPCOT3202Navigate in remote or trackless areas
FWPCOT3301Trim trees using a pole saw
FWPCOT3314Comply with soil and water protection
FWPCOT3325Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads
FWPCOT3326Recover four wheel drive vehicle
FWPCOT3329Perform complex four wheel drive operations
FWPNSY3002Extract, clean, store and despatch tree seeds
HLTAID011Provide First Aid
HLTAID013Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site
HLTAID015Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy (has prerequisites)
MARC037Operate inboard and outboard motors
MARF027Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
MARF028Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
MARF030Survive at sea using survival craft
MARI003Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres
MARK007Handle a vessel up to 12 metres
MARN008Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres
No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.
Get Course maps AHC31424 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 2343) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; register training.gov.au, synced 15 September 2026; Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.
About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.