Expand your future options. Get paid to learn hands-on skills.

SBAT – School-based Apprenticeship & Traineeship

Leave high school with more than just VCE, VCE Vocational Major or Victorian Pathways Certificate.

A School-Based Apprenticeship & Traineeship (SBAT) lets you complete a nationally recognised Certificate II in Agriculture (AHC20122) or Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30122) with RIST while staying at school with your friends and earning wages through part-time employment in the agriculture industry.

RIST training is structured into your school timetable. You’ll learn from industry-current trainers on real farms, in small groups, gaining hands-on experience with livestock, machinery, crops and more. Our courses provide a solid foundation for any career in agriculture (and 75 per cent of roles are not on farm!).

At school? An SBAT is the only way to study with RIST.

What is an SBAT and how does it work?

An SBAT combines part-time paid employment with an agricultural employer, structured training with RIST, and your continuing school studies. It’s a formal arrangement – a contract is signed by you, your parent or guardian and your employer.

You keep attending school with your friends.
You work part-time with a real employer in agriculture.
You undertake structured training with RIST working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Minimum requirement: 7-hours of paid work plus 6-hours of training per week, averaged over the year.

Our courses

Gain a solid foundation for any career in agriculture

Certificate II in Agriculture (AHC20122) | 12-months | Hamilton or Terang, VIC

Plant the seeds for your career in agriculture. Ideal if you’re starting out in agriculture or at secondary school and want to build practical skills in a real workplace. You’ll work safely and confidently, under supervision.

Expand on your agricultural knowledge and skills

Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30122) | 18-months | Hamilton or Terang, VIC

Grow the confidence to work independently. Ideal if you’re already working in agriculture and ready to take on more across livestock, cropping and mixed farming. You’ll work independently, with minimal supervision.

Both courses are delivered in person in small groups with limited places.

Are you eligible?

You’ll need to be:

15 years of age or older
In Year 10, 11 or 12 at a Victorian Secondary School
An Australian citizen or permanent resident.

RIST enrolments are now open
with courses commencing in early 2027

How to get Started

Getting ready

15 years of age or older
In Year 10, 11 or 12 at a Victorian Secondary School
An Australian citizen or permanent resident.

STEP 1:

Be 15 or older. You must be at least 15 years of age to enrol.

STEP 2:

Find an employer. School students can only study with RIST through an SBAT – so you’ll need part-time work in an agricultural business. This can be anyone with an ABN operating in agriculture – family, friends, neighbours or local businesses.

STEP 3:

Get regular workplace access. You’ll need to be in the workplace at least fortnightly. Check with your school about options for weekday release for work and training.

Making it official

STEP 4:

Contact an Apprenticeship Connect Provider (ACP). Once you have a job, an ACP sets up your SBAT contract. You can find more information about these agencies from https://www.apprenticeships.gov.au/

STEP 5:

Let RIST know. When your SBAT contract is signed, contact RIST (1800 883 343 or info@rist.edu.au) to start the enrolment process.

STEP 6:

Register & meet with RIST. Complete the online registration, then attend a pre-enrolment meeting – student, parent/guardian (if under 18) and employer. Note: enrolling with RIST is a completely separate process to your school subject selections.

IMPORTANT: If you would like to take advantage of the early start for our 2027 intake, you must be available to attend the RIST Kickstart day in the second week of December 2026.