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: Nuffield Scholarship Implemented/developed and promoted innovative farming techniques that are ecologically-based on their own place for at least 10 years; Delivered training to other farmers in innovative ecologically-based techniques. Written books/articles on ecologically based methods
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.