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Training

Soil Science Australia delivers soil management training through:

• online modules and resources
• in-person  field training and assessment

The training has been designed for specialists who provide advice to landholders, including agronomists, farm advisors, agricultural consultants and extension officers.

Contact us to express your interest.

Soil Management Training

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Soil management training is delivered through a blend of self-paced online modules and resources and in-person field training and assessment. Modules include:

  • Basic soil fundamentals– understand soil functions and the ecosystem services delivered by soil. Understand soil formation, composition, classification and distribution. Understand soil threatening processes and their impacts on soil function. Understand physical, chemical and biological soil properties, nutrient cycles and the role of soil organisms.

Topic 1:  Soil Functions and Ecosystem Services

Topic 2:  Soil development factors and soil profile description

Topic 3:  Soil Classification Methods

Topic 4:  Basic Physical,Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil Section 1 – Organic Components

Topic 4:  Basic Physical,Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil Section 2 – Inorganic Components

Topic 4:  Basic Physical,Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil Section 3 – Soil liquid, gases and solids

Topic 4:  Basic Physical,Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil Section 4 – Soil Water

Topic 4:  Basic Physical,Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil Section 5 – 

Topic 4:  Basic Physical,Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil Section 6 – Soil Structure

Topic 5:  Nutrient Cycles and Soil Organisms

Topic 6a:  Soil Chemical Degradation

Topic 6b:  Soil Physical Degradation

Soil Fundamentals Quiz

Please note:  The four modules must be completed before attendance at the field days.

Who is it for?

  • Practitioners – agronomic, environmental, civil industry and commercial
  • Policy advisors and regulators


What are the core concepts?

  • Identify and explain soil functions delivered by soil
  • Identify and explain ecosystem services delivered by soil
  • Demonstrate knowledge and practical experience with regards to describing a soil profile, include the ability to find and describe relevant soil development factors
  • Demonstrate the ability to classify soil both a. in the field and b. from a data set
  • Demonstrate understanding – including causes, key impacts and limitations for a least two processes
  • Demonstrate broad experience and understanding with regards to basic physical, chemical and biological soil properties and an ability to explain these properties
  • Describe basic soil properties including physical properties, chemical properties and biological properties

What are the prerequisites:

The training assumes that applicants have operational knowledge of soil management through formal or informal (on the job) training. There are no formal prerequisites for this training. It is expected that trainees have a working knowledge of soil fundamentals, have been involved with soil sampling and soil sampling regimes and have some experience with soil analysis reports.

How is it assessed?

  • A timed multiple choice quiz with a pass requirement of 70%.


Can I apply for accreditation when completed?

Undertaking the assessment does not guarantee accreditation, as prior experience is a prerequisite e.g. at least three years professional work experience in soil management.

For further information on the accreditation pathways that this training facilitates, see accreditation requirements on the Soil Science Australia website. 
  • Soil field analysis and site interpretation– develop skills and confidence to assess an area in preparation for fit-for-purpose soil sampling and testing (e.g. monitoring, problem investigation). The collection of relevant available information and records and observations in the field. Locating sampling sites most representative of identified soil types.

Topic 1:  Introduction to site assessment and sampling regime

Topic 2:  Soil sampling techniques

Topic 3:  Soil analysis tests

Topic 4:  Soil Classification techniques

Competency Areas

1. Site selection and fit-for-purpose soil sampling design.

2. Soil sampling for testing. 

3. Soil classification in the field.

Learning Outcomes

A. Develop the ability to assess a site and determine a suitable sampling regime. 

B. Justify and explain the selection of sampling sites and the sampling techniques used. 
 
C. Identify and address key concerns related to site assessment, such as record-keeping. 
 
D. Determine when soil sampling should take place based on site-specific factors. 
 
E. Understand the range of tests required for soil analysis and select suitable tests accordingly. 
 

F. Demonstrate proficiency in soil classification techniques, including location records, horizon identification, colour assessment, texture analysis, pH measurement, density determination, and field dispersion assessment.

 
Who is it for?
  • Practitioners – agronomic, environmental, civil industry and commercial
  • Policy advisors and regulators


What are the core concepts?

  • Identify and explain soil functions delivered by soil
  • Identify and explain ecosystem services delivered by soil
  • Demonstrate knowledge and practical experience with regards to describing a soil profile, include the ability to find and describe relevant soil development factors
  • Demonstrate the ability to classify soil both a. in the field and b. from a data set
  • Demonstrate understanding – including causes, key impacts and limitations for a least two processes
  • Demonstrate broad experience and understanding with regards to basic physical, chemical and biological soil properties and an ability to explain these properties
  • Describe basic soil properties including physical properties, chemical properties and biological properties


Module Requirements

This module requires successful completion, or recognition of prior learning, of the Basic fundamentals in soil science module. 

Assessment

Whilst an assessment is mentioned in the videos, there is currently no assessment required for this unit.

Modules 1 to 4 are delivered via pre-recorded lessons. This allows participants to pace the learning to suit their lifestyles and job requirements. You are encouraged to ask questions – please contact [email protected]. Given the practical nature of soil management, there is a face to face, in-field component of this course – Module 5.  Please contact [email protected] regarding dates and locations. 

Can I apply for accreditation when completed?

Undertaking the assessment does not guarantee accreditation, as prior experience is a prerequisite e.g. at least three years professional work experience in soil management.

  • Soil sampling for laboratory analysis– addresses the selection of fit-for-purpose soil tests (e.g. monitoring, problem investigation) and the procedure to follow to collect soil samples at selected sites. This includes selecting and using the sampling equipment correctly, and accurate and reliable sample collection, labelling and record keeping.

Topic 1:  Introduction to site assessment and sampling regime

Topic 2:  Soil sampling techniques

Topic 3:  Soil analysis tests

Topic 4:  Soil Classification techniques

Competency Areas

1. Site selection and fit-for-purpose soil sampling design.

2. Soil sampling for testing. 

3. Soil classification in the field.

Learning Outcomes

A. Develop the ability to assess a site and determine a suitable sampling regime. 

B. Justify and explain the selection of sampling sites and the sampling techniques used. 
 
C. Identify and address key concerns related to site assessment, such as record-keeping. 
 
D. Determine when soil sampling should take place based on site-specific factors. 
 
E. Understand the range of tests required for soil analysis and select suitable tests accordingly. 
 

F. Demonstrate proficiency in soil classification techniques, including location records, horizon identification, colour assessment, texture analysis, pH measurement, density determination, and field dispersion assessment.

 
Who is it for?
  • Practitioners – agronomic, environmental, civil industry and commercial
  • Policy advisors and regulators


What are the core concepts?

  • Identify and explain soil functions delivered by soil
  • Identify and explain ecosystem services delivered by soil
  • Demonstrate knowledge and practical experience with regards to describing a soil profile, include the ability to find and describe relevant soil development factors
  • Demonstrate the ability to classify soil both a. in the field and b. from a data set
  • Demonstrate understanding – including causes, key impacts and limitations for a least two processes
  • Demonstrate broad experience and understanding with regards to basic physical, chemical and biological soil properties and an ability to explain these properties
  • Describe basic soil properties including physical properties, chemical properties and biological properties


Module Requirements

This module requires successful completion, or recognition of prior learning, of the Basic fundamentals in soil science module. 

Assessment

Whilst an assessment is mentioned in the videos, there is currently no assessment required for this unit.

Modules 1 to 4 are delivered via pre-recorded lessons. This allows participants to pace the learning to suit their lifestyles and job requirements. You are encouraged to ask questions – please contact [email protected]. Given the practical nature of soil management, there is a face to face, in-field component of this course – Module 5.  Please contact [email protected] regarding dates and locations. 

Can I apply for accreditation when completed?

Undertaking the assessment does not guarantee accreditation, as prior experience is a prerequisite e.g. at least three years professional work experience in soil management.

  • Soil data interpretation and application– develop skills and knowledge required to interpret soil test results to determine best management practices considering land capability, soil test results and future paddock management (e.g. production targets, landholder goals).

Topic 1:  Determining a soil sampling regime

Topic 2:  Project scheme development

Topic 3:  Fundamentals of recording-keeping

Topic 4:  Digital record-keeping

Topic 5:  Accepted methodology for soil analysis

Topic 6:  Identifying suitable laboratories for soil analysis

Competency Areas

1. Basic physical, chemical and biological soil properties

2. Identify and understand the data obtained from soil test report

3. Determine soil/site limitations and suggest management recommendations

Learning Outcomes

A. Demonstrate broad experience and understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil in an agricultural, agronomic and environmental setting. 

 
B. Explain how key physical soil properties influence fertility and nutrient availability. 
 
C. Understand nutrient cycles and their relation to nutrient availability and plant production in the soil. 
 
D. Recognize the role and influence of soil biology in agricultural production. 
 
E. Assess the capacity of soil to store, cycle, and exchange nutrients and water for plant production and determine appropriate management options. 
 
F. Interpret and classify data in a soil test report, considering soil characteristics and management implications. 
 
G. Identify site limitations using site assessment and soil test results. 
 
H. Provide recommendations for addressing soil limitations. 


Who is it for?

  • Practitioners – agronomic, environmental, civil industry and commercial
  • Policy advisors and regulators


What are the core concepts?

  • Identify and explain soil functions delivered by soil
  • Identify and explain ecosystem services delivered by soil
  • Demonstrate knowledge and practical experience with regards to describing a soil profile, include the ability to find and describe relevant soil development factors
  • Demonstrate the ability to classify soil both a. in the field and b. from a data set
  • Demonstrate understanding – including causes, key impacts and limitations for a least two processes
  • Demonstrate broad experience and understanding with regards to basic physical, chemical and biological soil properties and an ability to explain these properties
  • Describe basic soil properties including physical properties, chemical properties and biological properties


What are the prerequisites:

The training assumes that applicants have operational knowledge of soil management through formal or informal (on the job) training. There are no formal prerequisites for this training. It is expected that trainees have a working knowledge of soil fundamentals, have been involved with soil sampling and soil sampling regimes and have some experience with soil analysis reports.

Assessment

Whilst an assessment is mentioned in the videos, there is currently no assessment required for this unit.

Modules 1 to 4 are delivered via pre-recorded lessons. This allows participants to pace the learning to suit their lifestyles and job requirements. You are encouraged to ask questions – please contact [email protected]. Given the practical nature of soil management, there is a face to face, in-field component of this course – Module 5.  Please contact [email protected] regarding dates and locations. 

Can I apply for accreditation when completed?

Undertaking the assessment does not guarantee accreditation, as prior experience is a prerequisite e.g. at least three years professional work experience in soil management.

  • Soil management training and assessment – managed in conjunction with our branches, dates and locations for the field training and assessment component is scheduled based on demand.

Delivered by Soil Science Australia, the soil management training is for practitioners looking to improve their soil knowledge and practical application of soil fundamentals, soil sampling, field analysis, site interpretation, laboratory analysis and soil data interpretation.

The soil management training is a pathway to Registered Soil Practitioner (RSP) accreditation, but does not guarantee accreditation. To seek RSP Accreditation complete the RSP Accreditation pathway and process.