Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years, Full-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February Entry score
IELTS 5.5
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$18,000 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February
Overview
This program will introduce you to the skills used by land managers, park rangers, site assessors, water quality assessors and conservation staff.
You'll learn how to survey animals and plants, monitor waterways, assess and restore natural sites and undertake cultural studies relating to land management.
The program includes field trips to a variety of locations around Melbourne and overnight excursions to places such as Heywood and Barmah Forest.
Details
This program is based on the National Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations, group discussions and fieldwork.
You'll have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects, and fieldtrip assignments.
This program has been developed in collaboration with key industry stakeholders including Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and local councils.
You'll undertake extensive fieldwork in collaboration with Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria Friends’ groups and other organisations. Guest speakers from conservation and wildlife groups are also a feature of the program.
You’re also encouraged to undertake voluntary work with a range of organisations.
Year 1
You will study plant identification and ecology and learn skills related to site assessment and industry-specific communication skills.
You will be introduced to cultural heritage and aspects of Indigenous land management with input from Aboriginal Elders and community organisations.
You'll also learn how to conduct wildlife surveys and interpret the data using the appropriate format for the industry.
Year 2
You'll study units related to revegetation and the monitoring and management of water and learn about pest management. You will also explore Indigenous and cultural heritage issues and how these relate to land management.
These are taught in collaboration with Indigenous Elders and community members and include an extended field trip to western Victoria where you will have the opportunity to work alongside Indigenous land care workers.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: C5367
National curriculum code: AHC51116
Career
Graduates may find work as a park ranger or member of a bush crew.
They can work with organisations involved in conservation and land care including:
- local government
- local area management committees
- Parks Victoria
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 50% (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, there may be other RMIT programs you are eligible for that can lead you to your preferred program. Explore pathway options.
Entry requirements
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 530 (TWE 3.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 71 (with minimum of 17 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and completing reports, recording and assessing data
- vision to accurately gain information and use equipment
- physical skills to perform conservation land care tasks
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent land management
View the full list of the Diploma of Conservation and Land Management inherent requirements:
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and completing reports, recording and assessing data
- vision to accurately gain information and use equipment
- physical skills to perform conservation land care tasks
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent land management
View the full list of the Diploma of Conservation and Land Management inherent requirements:
Who are they for?
Inherent requirements apply to every applicant and may be worth considering if you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition.
Why do you need to know?
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, and the non-academic abilities you may need in this program, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
What support is available?
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, please discuss this with RMIT program staff or the Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we may be able to support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
Pathways
When you successfully complete the Diploma of Conservation and Land Management you are guaranteed entry in the following programs:
- Bachelor of Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Business (Management)
- Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)
The major discipline, and any complementary discipline you choose to study in the bachelor degree, determines the amount of credit you will receive:
- Environmental Biology (major) – you will receive 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points)
- Environmental Biology (major) plus Geospatial Science (complementary) – you will receive 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 108 credit points)
- Environmental Chemistry (major) – you will receive 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 72 credit points)
- Environmental Chemistry (major) plus Geospatial Science (complementary) – you will receive 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 84 credit points)
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduateprograms.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.
- 2019 government subsidised place: AU$6,750* per annum
- 2019 full-fee place: AU$11,500* per annum
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme (VSL), which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
How does a VET Student Loan work?
If your VSL application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
If your program is eligible for the VSL scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference once you exceed the cap.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt. You will start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$18,000.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$36,000.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.