This online version of the AQF3 Chemical Accreditation Course gives you the chemical safety training you’ll need to achieve or renew your ChemCERT Card, while learning at your own pace.

You’ll still have access to our highly skilled industry-based trainers who can answer questions and help guide you through practical exercises. For example, you’ll be required calibrate a piece of hand-held equipment such as a knapsack, drench gun or injectable.

The aim of this course is to raise awareness of the potential hazards and risks associated with pesticide use and to provide practical information on the safe handling and application of chemicals.

It is nationally recognised, valid for 5 years and qualifies you to legally use S7 chemicals unsupervised (requirements may differ from state to state).

Get industry updates
Minimise Chemical costs caused by local resistance and spraying issues
Limit spray drift & improve spraying outcomes

In most states your Chemical Accreditation needs to be renewed every 5 years.

If you have a current ChemCERT Card, or certification from another training organisation covering units AHCCHM304 or AHCCHM307*, or if your accreditation expired less than 6 months ago then you are a refresher student and need only apply for Re-Accreditation.

You will need to show your ChemCERT Card or other certification to the trainer on the day of your course.

*The previous unit AHCCHM303 has been superseded by AHCCHM307

Students MUST read the Student Handbook and agree to the ChemCert E-Learning Policies

You MUST provide a unique and valid email address

Online students will be processed ready for course login by COB, if enrolled before 3pm EST Monday-Fridays only.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements

We require all students to be a minimum of 16 years old and to have a reading level of a year 10 student. If you are unsure of your ability to complete the course we recommend completing our Learning, Literacy and Numeracy Quiz.

 

Device requirements: A laptop or desktop PC/Mac is required. Tablets and smartphones are not compatible with some assessment tools within this course. Microsoft Word or Adobe Reader must be installed. Your phone camera may be used for filming practicals.
Important: An assistant may help you record your practical demonstrations, but they may not perform any activities on your behalf. Group submissions are not permitted.

Practical Demonstrations

Five practical tasks must be completed to achieve competency. Evidence must be submitted via video or photo through the student portal.

A

Loading and Unloading of Chemicals

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Equipment required

  • Ute or rectangular table
  • 2× large containers filled to 80% capacity with coloured water (food colouring)
  • Ratchet straps
  • Small basic first aid kit
  • 2× downloadable labels — Gramoxone 360 Pro and either Kamba® M or Affirm® (provided in course)
  • Gramoxone 360 Pro Label and SDS (provided in course)
B

Calibration

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Knapsack

  • Water tap or water source
  • Concreted or suitable clear outdoor area
  • Small knapsack sprayer 5–15 L (or similar hand-held sprayer with interchangeable nozzles)
  • 4× witches hats/markers
  • Stopwatch (smartphone acceptable)
  • 1 L measuring jug
  • Measuring tape

Boomspray

  • Water tap or water source
  • Boomsprayer — preferably blue nozzles (11003)
  • Stopwatch (smartphone acceptable)
  • 1–2 L measuring jug or tip tester (Redball, Arag, etc.)
  • Kitchen scales to check jug accuracy
  • Disposable gloves
C

Mixing Chemical

▼

Knapsack

  • Kamba® M Label (provided in course)
  • Simulated Kamba® M — coloured water from Practical A
  • PVC elbow-length gloves
  • Goggles/face shield (or symbolic PPE)
  • Empty knapsack sprayer
  • Measuring jug and water source

Boomspray

  • Affirm® Label (provided in course)
  • Simulated Affirm® — coloured water from Practical A
  • PPE as per label safety directions
  • Boomspray with tank half-filled
  • Measuring jug and water source
D

Spill Cleanup and Incident Report

▼

Equipment required

  • Spill kit: bucket, clean-up material (vermiculite, clay bentonite, or kitty litter), dustpan, brush or shovel, waste bag
  • SDS Section 6 — Kamba® M (amenity) or Affirm® (broadacre) (provided in course)
  • Container of simulated chemical (coloured water) from previous practical
  • PVC gloves
  • Safety cones
E

Equipment Cleanup and PPE Decontamination

▼

Knapsack

  • PPE for cleaning (PVC gloves or respirator)
  • Chemical sprayer used in Practical B
  • Water source
  • Bucket or large container (rinsate container)
  • Small bucket (PPE washing bucket)
  • Dishwashing detergent

Boomspray

  • PPE as per Affirm® label (PVC gloves or goggles)
  • Chemical sprayer used in Practical B
  • Water source
  • Bucket or large container (for nozzles)
  • Small bucket (PPE washing bucket)
  • Dishwashing detergent or deactivating agent as per label
AHCCHM304
Transport and store chemicals
AHCCHM307
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases

For information on how to apply for ACUP and/or COL in Victoria and/or ACDC in Queensland please see your specific State legislation.

  • Safe transport and storage

  • Understanding chemical application issues

  • Knowledge to limit spray drift

  • Risk assessments and hazard control forms
  • Integrated pest management
  • Determining weather conditions suitable for spraying
  • Equipment calibration techniques
  • Managing chemical residues
  • Self-audit and compliance checklists

  • Record keeping requirements

I enjoyed the convenience of being able to fit my online course hours around my work hours so was able to keep on top of important jobs.
I was particularly impressed with the availability of the course teachers and their ability to explain clearly, answers to any queries .
I will certainly be doing this online course again when my refresher is due!

Margaret - AQF3, Online Course

Interesting course – harder than the AQF3 I did at Tafe 7 years ago, but that’s a good thing. The emphasis on other strategies than just spraying is a good thing. I enjoyed doing the work.

Anthony - AQF3, Online Course

Course was very informative and gave me a much deeper insight into chemicals and applications then i had originally assumed!

Danny - AQF3, Online Course

  • Council Workers

  • Spray Contractors

  • Bush Regeneration Staff

  • Pest Controllers

  • Horticulturalists

  • Ground Keepers

  • Farm Owners