LO 1:  Critique and identify innovative horticultural products that will contribute to sustainable growth in a horticultural business. 

LO 2:  Examine processes involved in new product development within a horticultural business.  

LO 3:  Design and implement research to investigate product innovations within a horticultural business. 

LO 4:  Evaluate a potential product innovation for introduction into a horticultural workplace. 

The course consists of 12 weekly sessions, every Wednesday from 4pm-9pm, as well as a field trip in Week 4. Further information will be given to all learners before commencement and in the first weeks of the course.

Week 0: Orientation

Week 1: Product innovations – definitions & sector examples

Week 2: Market‑led innovation & plant‑breeding breakthroughs (incl. CRISPR)

Week 3: Sources of innovation (knowledge‑push, need‑pull, recombinant, disruptive)

Week 4: 1‑day field‑trip & workshop – innovative orchards and R&D hubs

Week 5: Research‐design fundamentals & experimental design

Week 6: Data analysis for horticultural trial

Week 7: Incremental vs radical innovation; managing innovation models

Week 8: Strategies for NPD; commercialisation pathways; learning from failure

Week 9: Future trends (Gen‑Z consumers, carbon‑neutral targets, digital twins)

Week 10: Disrupters

Week 11: Study Week / Checkpoints

Week 12: Presentations & Final Assessment

See below for key dates relating to the micro-credential course ‘Horticulture Innovations’.

1st November 2025 – Applications Open

12 January 2026 – Applications Close

20 January 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Orientation

21 January 2026, 4:00pm-9:00pm – Week 1

12 February 2026  – Field Trip

8 April 2026 – Final Day of course (Week 12)

There are no prerequisites. Entry to the programme of study will be in order of receipt of applications and enrolments by applicants who meet the entry criteria required under the programme regulations and have appropriate capabilities to complete the programme of study successfully.

Successful completion of a Level 4 Certificate or above (or equivalent), preferably in the Primary Industries subject area, OR

For applicants 20 years or older without the above academic criteria, evidence of relevant knowledge, experience, and the ability to undertake tertiary study at the diploma level is required. In this case, the applicant must participate in an enrolment interview to verify the evidence.

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production, where they supply evidence to satisfy the Academic Committee of their ability to succeed in the programme.

Students must demonstrate significant workplace experience (e.g. a supervisory and/or management role OR equivalent) within the horticulture industry.

Students will be required to provide evidence that they can progress through the programme of study. This may require any or more of the following:

• Pre-Enrolment Interview
• Challenge assessments
• Submission of a portfolio of work

Further details about entry criteria are contained in the supporting documentation.

To Apply for the ‘Horticultural Innovations’ micro-credential, fill out the Online Application Form and select ‘Micro-Credential – ‘Horticultural Innovations’ as your chosen programme of study.

Choose Level 6: Diploma in Horticulture Production if you want to apply for the entire Diploma and not just this micro-credential.

After receiving your application, we will be in touch to confirm your eligibility and enrolment status.

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