Overview 2022
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For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
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The program combines business management, planning, finance, people management, innovation, and primary production in an authentic learning approach, utilising applied, blended, and online interaction. The course content has been developed in consultation with industry experts and they are actively involved in its delivery.
A key feature of the course is the integrated learning approach that applies an array of experiential education opportunities such as site visits, field work, case studies, simulated work environments, and data-driven decision-making. This aims to enhance students’ problem solving, communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills by allowing them to ‘learn through practice’. It has been designed to make university study a little less daunting—and a lot more practical.
The program is available for full-time and part-time study and is delivered through a combination of online study, tutorials, and practical workshops
Completing our Associate Degree in Agribusiness will give you:
- a pathway to a great career in agriculture
- strong commercial awareness of agribusiness industries
- practical skills to take straight into the workplace
- opportunities to advance in your chosen field
- the skills to help you meet personal career development goals
- credit towards a Bachelor degree at the University of Tasmania
Key contacts
| Current student enrolment questions and advice | UConnect |
| Course Coordinator | Dr Stephen Ives |
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
Students are exposed to authentic and engaged learning experiences designed to develop their understanding of work and the workplace. In their first year of study, students are introduced to (i) different methods of and approaches to practice, (ii) how issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace and (iii) the role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations. Students develop personal responsibility for and autonomy in developing their portfolio of practice (known as a Practice Manual). This is reflected in educational plans developed in consultation with their Academic Coaches and based on a method or approach to practice from, for example projects, data-driven decision making, case studies, field work, simulated environments, design thinking etc.
The second year of study builds on concepts of learning through practice from the diploma by introducing students to more complex learning experiences.
Students will be introduced to:
- discipline-based skills and knowledge in dynamic practice situations. This will include authentic and purposeful, industry-related experiences
- concepts of managing effective relationships and communicating with others
- the development and use of adaptive leadership skills and how these skills relate to innovative and entrepreneurial practice
- the nature of responsible, accountable and reflective workplace skills, and creative and critical thinking relevant to para-professional practice.
Students will exercise self-awareness, initiative and judgement to manage yourself and professional relationships effectively. The application of tacit knowledge and capabilities will be reflected in a Practice Manual.
Career outcomes
Graduation from the Associate Degree in Agribusiness can provide an entry opportunity for those seeking work in an agribusiness, accelerate progression through a graduate's present agribusiness organisation, or open up new career paths and opportunities.
New to agribusiness and never worked in the industry before?
For those graduates new to agribusiness, roles including trainee positions, team leaders, field officers and researchers are likely.
Already working and want to fast track or leverage off past experience?
For those graduates already working in agriculture, the Associate Degree in Agribusiness should enable graduates to progress from assistant positions to managerial roles, lead a small team, become a field officer, research team member or salesperson and liaise better with suppliers and/ or customers.
Potential types of employers:
- Upstream of the farm: suppliers of seed, fertiliser, chemicals, machinery, stockfeed, labour, finance, business advisory, transport, consultancy, and specialist services such as harvesting contractors.
- Primary production: cropping, horticulture, animal based enterprises, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, wineries, farm-based tourism.
- Downstream of the farm: processors and value-adders, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transport and storage operations, logistics, consultants.
Course structure
The Associate Degree in Applied Business comprises 16 x 12.5 credit point units:
- 6 x core units (150 credit points) at introductory level
- 6 x core units (150 credit points) at intermediate level
- 4 x electives
Year 1
Year 1 Core
The effective and efficient operation of business is human resource intensive. Strategies used to attract, motivate, manage and retain the right people are essential skills for all business managers for business success. This unit introduces you to how Human Resource…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit will provide you with a practical understanding of operational budgeting and financial decision making, as well as other financial concepts, practices and tools used to measure and assess the financial performance of an organisation. The use of practical…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
In this unit you will explore the importance of agribusiness management plans, links with business strategy and how agribusiness managers can integrate the outputs of planning into business management and operations. Planning is an essential activity for agribusiness managers in…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
In this unit you will be introduced to value chains and how they are managed in primary production to improve business performance. Value chain management (VCM) is an important concept that integrates supply chain components and processes with performance management,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for ZAB116 Value Chain Management in Agribusiness
In this unit you will explore the risks and challenges of pests, weeds and diseases in primary production, in terms of the relative impact on productivity, profitability and market access. You will also investigate various on-farm control methods that are…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for ZAB119 Principles of Weed, Pest and Disease Management
This unit creates a practical awareness of e-enabled agribusiness and the use of technology in areas such as precision agriculture, livestock tracking and food traceability. You will explore the concepts of innovation including the innovation diffusion process and observe the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for ZAB126 E-agribusiness, Technology and Innovation
Year 2
Year 2 Core
This unit will provide you with an understanding of biological, geological, chemical and physical processes, in an agricultural context (commercial food and fibre productions systems). Processes explored will include biogeochemical cycles, photosynthesis, respiration, energy flows and transfer of nutrients. You…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for ZAB221 Fundamental Principles of Agriculture (A)
In this unit you will explore the human impact of agricultural production on the services provided by the chemical, physical, biological and geological Earth systems. You will also be introduced to how these services can impact agricultural production in relation…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for ZAB222 Fundamental Principles of Agriculture (B)
In this unit you will learn the principles of crop production, which include management of growth media, plant water requirements, and cultivar choice. You will explore plant establishment, growth characteristics, crop nutrition, cultural management, and methods of crop monitoring to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit you will discover how soil characteristics including plant nutrient availability, pH, electrical conductivity and physical and biological properties underpin and inform the development and implementation of soil management strategies. You will also investigate how soil health, plant…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit focuses on the critical components of animal management for profitability and sustainability of ruminant production systems. Topics will include animal health, welfare, fertility, genetics, feed budgeting and pasture management. You will investigate the main factors affecting ruminant health…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit, you will be introduced to mathematical and statistical methods for analysing scientific, business or technical data to inform and support decision-making. You will explore why data is needed and how it is used to make decisions, including…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
Electives
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education
- Completed the TCE (or equivalent)
Domestic Applicants with higher education study
- Completed at least one undergraduate unit (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points).
Domestic Applicants with VET / TAFE study
- A completed VET Certificate III or higher
Domestic Applicants with work and life experience
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
Prerequisites Nil
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability. We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
For International students
All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.
English Language Requirements
This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0, with no individual band less than 5.5, or a PTE Academic score of 50, with no score lower than 42 or equivalent.
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
General Entry Requirements
Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.
Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the “For Domestic Students” section of the entry requirements on this page.
You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:
- Completion of an equivalent AQF Certificate III or above
- Complete or incomplete (minimum 12.5 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Bachelor level or higher
If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.
Course Specific Requirements
This course does not have any course specific requirements.
Credit transfer
Passes in units in other incomplete courses in this University or another approved tertiary institution may be credited towards the associate degree and a course plan developed to detail the units required by the student to qualify for the associate degree.
How to apply for credit
You can apply for a credit/advanced standing as part of the online application process.
Articulation
Students articulating into the Associate Degree in Agribusiness from a completed Undergraduate Certificate in Agribusiness will receive 50 credit points of advanced standing. Articulation from other courses will be in line with the University’s standard application for credit process. Students wishing to articulate from the Associate Degree in Agribusiness into a University of Tasmania Bachelor course may be eligible for credit, subject to the receiving College's discretion.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2022 Total Course Fee (international students): $50,875 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $25,000 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
Each year the University of Tasmania administers an estimated $7 million in scholarships to students from all walks of life, including those who have achieved high academic results; those from low socio-economic backgrounds; students with sporting ability; students undertaking overseas study; and students with a disability.
Tasmanian boot brand Blundstone have generously donated a scholarship that will be offered students commencing Year 1 of the Associate Degree in Agribusiness in 2018 who were educated in the Tasmanian State School system. The scholarship will support up to 20 students, and selection for the scholarship will be based on financial need and quality of written application, with a preference for students based in the North and North-West of Tasmania. For more information, visit the Blundstone Scholarship page.
For more information on scholarships and to view the full range of scholarships available to you, head to the Scholarships website.
Additional costs
In addition to course costs, students may be subject to other costs related to study at university including:
- Text books and stationery
- Accommodation
- Student Services and Amenities Fee
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries