Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management - AHC51120

VOCATIONAL

Prepare for a career in land and parks management, site assessment, water quality assessment and conservation.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable*

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$22,000 (2026 annual)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City

The Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management 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.

You will also go on field trips to a variety of locations around Melbourne, as well as overnight excursions to places such as Heywood and Barmah Forest.

Why study the Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management at RMIT?

Learn from experts

Learn about cultural heritage and Indigenous land management with direct input from Aboriginal Elders and community organisations.

Beyond the classroom

Learn how to conduct site assessments and identify plants first-hand through weekly field-trips.

Led by industry

Developed in close collaboration with key industry stakeholders, including Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, and local councils.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

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Learning and teaching

This diploma 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.

Each week you will complete the following:

  • one online day
  • one field-work day
  • one lab session/on-campus day.

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects, and field trip assignments.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT Capabilities

The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.

As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.

This diploma 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 these organisations. Guest speakers from conservation and wildlife groups are also a feature of the curriculum.

You will also also be encouraged to undertake voluntary work throughout your studies.

This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.

In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.

Year 1

You will study plant identification and ecology, and learn skills related to site assessment and industry-specific communication.

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.

Year 2

You'll study revegetation and the 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.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management
Program code: C5418
National curriculum code: AHC51120
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management
City Campus
Full Time 2 Years
C5418
104848J
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full Time 2 Years
Plan code
C5418
CRICOS
104848J
View plan
Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management
City Campus
Full-time 2 Years
C5418
104848J
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full-time 2 Years
Plan code
C5418
CRICOS
104848J
View plan

Important information for international students

International student visa holders can only study full-time.

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.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this course. Applicants must meet the minimum university entry requirements.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 50% (see calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies course 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.

Entry score calculator
Minimum Score Required

Don’t meet the requirements?

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

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 (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
  • C1 Advanced: minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component.

Note: RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.

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 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Upper Intermediate at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Additional information

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Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this course

The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.

The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, 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.

Adjustments

If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.

Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.

View inherent requirements

Pathways and further study

A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.

Pathways into the Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management

This course has pathways available.

Further study

The Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides credit and guaranteed entry into further study.

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You can gain entry to this diploma from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study courses.

You are guaranteed entry with credit into one of the following programs when you successfully complete the Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management:

Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out more about Credit and RPL at RMIT

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out more about Credit and RPL at RMIT

Fees

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Tuition 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.

  • 2026 government subsidised place: AU$8,750* per annum
  • 2026 full-fee place: AU$14,750* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$373 maximum fee for 2026*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

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 2026 is $373.

Materials fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

Find materials fees for this course

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, 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 VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL 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.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan 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 by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

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 2026 is $373.

Material fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

Find materials fees for this course

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

Scholarships

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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