West Australian Colleges of Agriculture Information

The West Australian Colleges of Agriculture seeks, through links with industry and technology, to develop students that are literate and numerate, competent in a range of agricultural and related industry skills, and who possess social skills and a work ethic which will enable them to make a contribution to their community through employment or further study.

OVERVIEW

Agriculture is Western Australia’s second major export industry. The State’s vast area provides soils and climates suited to a variety of agricultural activities from open range grazing and broad acre cereal cropping to irrigated pastures, horticulture and viticulture. Wheat, wool, beef and lamb are the main products. Consequently, the Department of Education and Training provides a comprehensive educational program to support this key industry.


DESCRIPTION

The Western Australian Colleges of Agriculture provide excellent educational opportunities at six regional campuses in Cunderdin, Denmark, Esperance, Harvey, Morawa and Narrogin.

Each campus has modern facilities located on farms and offer Year 11 and 12 programs for male and female students. The students study a range of Curriculum Council subjects leading to Secondary Graduation and Units of Competence from
Industry Training Packages.

The colleges deliver vocational qualifications that focus on agriculture but include horticulture, viticulture, equine, aquaculture, forestry, building, construction, metals and engineering and automotive. Each campus offers specialist programs in a range of agricultural related vocations.

The Western Australian Colleges of Agriculture are unique in providing a blend of secondary education and vocational training. All graduates directly enter employment or courses of study at TAFE or university. The success rate of students is outstanding with nearly all students gaining employment or entry to further courses of study on graduation from the college.

COLLEGES

• Narrogin Campus – Narrogin is 190 kilometres south east of Perth in a rainfall area that supports mixed farming enterprises. The college campus is eight kilometres from the town. The 1,220 hectare farm includes dry-land cropping, beef, dairy and stud cattle, sheep and horses. Students undertake the General Agricultural Program, Farming Machinery Program, Building Program or Metals and Engineering Program.
• Morawa Campus – Morawa is 360 kilometres north of Perth in a 325mm rainfall area. The College campus is situated near the town. The 3,240 hectare farm has a broad-acre cropping program as well as sheep, pigs, beef cattle and a horticulture section. In the second year of their course, students may elect to specialise in Pastoral Industry Studies. The pastoral course is complemented with excursions and work experience on pastoral properties.
• Harvey Campus - Harvey is situated in the heart of the South-West and is 140 kilometres south of Perth. The College campus is set in beautiful farmlands on the banks of the Harvey River. The 900 hectare farm at Wokalup comprises both irrigation and hills country. The enterprises include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and horticulture. Programs in irrigation excellence and freshwater aquaculture are being developed. Specialist programs are offered for students interested in automotive and metals trades.
• Esperance Campus - Esperance is 670 kilometres south-east of Perth on the South Coast. The 820 hectare farm is 23 kilometres out of Esperance in a 500mm rainfall zone. The farm enterprises include broad acre cropping, beef cattle, prime lamb production, wool production and specialist programs in stud cattle, stud sheep, aquaculture, horse breeding and Landcare. Students undertake the General Agriculture Program in Year 11 and a School Based Traineeship in Year 12.
• Denmark Campus - Denmark is 400 kilometres south of Perth on the South Coast in a 900mm rainfall area. The College campus is two kilometres from the town. The activities on the 560 hectare farm include beef and dairy cattle, sheep for meat and wool, pigs, poultry, production horticulture, plantation forestry, aquaculture and a vineyard encompassing viticulture and winemaking opportunities. Programs are also offered in automotive and metals trades. Denmark’s location on the coast makes it ideal for surfing, scuba diving and other water sports.
• Cunderdin Campus - Cunderdin is 160 kilometres east of Perth in a 350mm rainfall area that specialises in sheep and wheat farming. The College campus and farm cover an area of 2,110 hectares. On average, 850 hectares of crop are sown to wheat, lupins, barley, canola and oats for hay. The sheep flock consists of 1,350 merino ewes. The farm has a beef cattle herd, Poll Dorset stud, intensive piggery, Boer goat herd and small poultry section. A range of specialist programs is offered including a trade program in automotive, metals and engineering.

RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

All college campuses offer modern facilities and accommodation catering for both male and female students as well as day students. Each campus also offers a wide range of leisure and recreational activities to all students.


ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Students requiring Intensive English Programs will need to complete these at either Northlake Senior Campus or Cyril Jackson Senior Campus prior to commencing studies at the nominated Western Australian College of Agriculture campus. These students will be accommodated in homestay. The costs for the Intensive English Program are included in the tuition fees.


PASTORAL CARE AND LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Male and female teaching and residential staff at the boarding college provide mentoring and support to students. They monitor students’ progress and well-being and regularly communicate with their families.

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