This degree is closed to new applications. You may be interested in other courses in Management & leadership
Associate Degree in Agribusiness
UndergraduateTAS-AGR-ADG2024
Course information for 2024 intake
Get sustainable and profitable in your agriculture business
Enter the industry with confidence or fast track your path to leadership. Study essential business skills including people management, finances, and planning. Cover the principles of agriculture including crop production and soil management.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 16
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Associate Degree in Agribusiness
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Evaluate knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes required to develop and enhance career opportunities in agribusiness
- Evaluate the relationship between business concepts and science theory for contemporary agriculture
- Reflect on and communicate practical management approaches for changing agribusiness environments
- Use cognitive, creative and technical skills to enable agribusiness to be agile and adaptable in digital and innovative landscapes
- Interpret and apply the principles of sustainable business practice through ethical, professional and collaborative conduct.
The Associate Degree in Agribusiness is an industry-focused program that prepares people to become dynamic, creative, and adaptable practitioners with the skills and knowledge to ensure that the business of agriculture is profitable and sustainable in a modern economic climate. It is an ideal stepping stone for those currently working in agriculture who wish to move into leadership and management roles, or a great foundation for those wishing to enter the industry.
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 program content has been developed in consultation with industry experts and they are actively involved in its delivery.
A key feature of the program 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 workshop.
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
Recommended study pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended.
Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including:
- 6 core subjects:
- TAS-ZAA132 Managing People
- TAS-ZAA133 Financial Decision Making
- TAS-ZAB111 Agribusiness Management
- TAS-ZAB116 Value Chain Management in Agribusiness
- TAS-ZAB119 Principles of Weed, Pest and Disease Management
- TAS-ZAB126 E-agribusiness, Technology and Innovation
- 2 UTAS Electives
Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including:
- 6 core subjects:
- TAS-ZAB221 Fundamental Principles of Agriculture (A)
- TAS-ZAB222 Fundamental Principles of Agriculture (B)
- TAS-ZAB223 Principles of Crop Production
- TAS-ZAB224 Principles of Soil Management
- TAS-ZAB229 Herd and Pasture Management
- TAS-ZAB234 Data and Analysis
- 2 UTAS Electives
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 16 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 2-5 years from commencement.
- 6 core subjects:
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $17,670
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
- Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one subject of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level subjects completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any subjects, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Successful completion of one OUA open access subject of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Completed the TCE or an equivalent qualification
Successful completion of a Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.
Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this program.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
The Associate Degree in Agribusiness will help you 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. Career opportunities exist both within the agriculture industry, and sectors and occupations that are connected through agribusiness. These include:
- 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.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Consultants | N/A^ | N/A^ |
| Crop Farmers | N/A^ | Down 15.5% |
| Livestock Farmers | N/A^ | Up 3.1% |
| Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers | N/A^ | Down 5.2% |
| Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers | Over $120K | Up 12.6% |
Explore business & management courses
Discover related degrees to compare your options and find the best fit for your goals.
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateTAS-BUS-PTH
Bachelor of Commerce (Business Law)
UndergraduateCUR-BLW-DEG
UndergraduateSCU-BUS-DIP
Bachelor of Business (Management)
UndergraduateUSA-MGT-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Business
UndergraduateUSA-BUS-CTF
UndergraduateGRF-BUS-DEG
Bachelor of Business (Management)
UndergraduateUOC-BUS-DEG
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.