Application Process and Requirements
To achieve Professional Accreditation with the AIEA a person must:
- Be a current member of the AIEA
- Meet the accreditation requirements below
- Complete an annual update to the AIEA
- Pay the application fee and the annual fee
- Follow the AIEA’s Ethical & Professional Standards
There are 3 Application Streams to achieve Professional Accreditation. Applicants need to apply through one of these streams only.
- Stream A - Applicants with Tertiary Qualifications
- Stream B - Applicants with Vocational Qualifications
- Stream C - Applicants who are Professional Farmers
Pathway 1: Accredited Professional - Farming Systems & Land Management Categories
Academic Qualifications | Completion of Bachelor or Masters Degree in Agricultural Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Science, Ecology, Agroecology, Ecological Agricultural Systems, Botany, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Geology, Forestry, Food Systems, Agribusiness or related fields. |
Additional requirements | Completion of at least two subjects in ecology or agroecology and two subjects from social ecology one of which must include human ecology and the other a choice between people management or ethics. Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. |
Specialisation requirements | Cat 1 - Farming Systems - The qualification must include 3 specialised subjects: 2 subjects on farming systems including either animals and animal production systems, plants and plant production systems and/or horticulture. It must also include 1 subject on soils.
Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. Cat 2 - Land Management - The qualification must include 3 specialised subjects: 3 subjects on land management such as earth science, geology, geomorphology, applied ecology, land mapping, botany, soils etc. Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. |
Work experience & Portfolio | Completion of 4 years of work experience documented with a portfolio and CV. |
Interview | The final acceptance requirement is by interview. |
Pathway 2: Professional Categories Extension & Change & Community Development categories
Academic qualifications | Completion of a Bachelor or Masters Degree in Agriculture, Food Systems, Business, Community Development, Health, Rural Sociology, Social Ecology, Human Ecology, Psychology, Human Geography or related fields. |
Additional requirements | Completion of at least three subjects in sociology, extension, anthropology, human geography, community development, leadership, change management, human ecology [recommended], people management, organisational change and management or ethics. Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. |
Specialisation requirements | Cat 3 - Extension & Change & Community Development - The qualification must include 3 specialised subjects: Rural sociology, extension, science communication, change management, people, leadership, social ecology. Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. |
Work experience & Portfolio | Completion of 4 years of work experience documented with a portfolio and CV. |
Interview | The final acceptance requirement is by interview. |
Accredited Professional - Farming Systems & Land Management Categories
Vocational Qualifications | Completion of either a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in a AHC Training Package qualification. These include Agriculture, Organic Farming, Rural Business or Conservation & Land management or related qualification. |
Additional requirements | Completion of at least 2 Units of Competency (UOC) in ecology or related UOC and two Units of Competence in human ecology, and people management or ethics. Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. |
Specialisation requirements | Cat 1 - Farming Systems - The qualification must include 8 specialised agriculture UOCs: It must also include 2 soils UOCs.
Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. Cat 2 - Land Management - The qualification must include 8 specialised UOCs on conservation & land management such as earth science, geology, geomorphology, applied ecology, land mapping, botany, soils etc. Alternative option: Applicants can complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet this requirement. |
Work experience & Portfolio | Completion of 6 years of work experience documented with a portfolio and CV. |
Interview | The final acceptance requirement is by interview. |
Accredited Professional - Farmer
Formal experience | At least 10 years’ experience as a full time owner/manager of a farming/grazing property. Still active in farm management. |
Education - this can be met by fulfilling 2 of the 3 options listed | 1. Completion of a relevant tertiary/vocational qualification to at least Diploma level. 2. Completed at least 4 professional development short courses relating to sustainable agriculture over one’s career. A short course is defined as a minimum of 2 day course. 3. Completion of one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses. |
Contributions to ecological/regenerative/biological farming in Australia |
Examples include:
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Additional requirements | Applicants may need to complete one or more appropriate AIEA approved vocational or short courses to meet requirements depending on CV and Portfolio. |
Work experience & Portfolio | Completion of 10 years actively managing a farming/grazing business with a portfolio and CV. |
Interview | The final acceptance requirement is by interview. |
Accredited Associate Professional
This category applies only to Streams A & B. It is for individuals who have not yet completed the required number of years of professional practice.