FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why choose Pest Education Services & Training?
If you’re comparing training providers purely on price, you’re already asking the wrong question.

Cheap training saves money upfront and transfers risk downstream, to employers, to supervisors, and ultimately to the business. Gaps in competence show up as failed business ventures, rework, increased supervision, incidents, and lost confidence. The true cost is rarely visible at enrolment, but it is always paid later.

The training market has seen a rapid influx of fully online providers offering qualifications at a fraction of the price. Some offered at exorbitant prices without depth, rigour and real world application. These options appeal to a specific segment of learners who are highly price sensitive, time poor, and primarily credential driven rather than competency driven.

Our courses are deliberately positioned differently.

We invest heavily in qualified trainers, face-to-face delivery, practical assessment, regulatory compliance, and learner support. That produces higher quality outcomes, but it also means we are not competing on price alone, and nor should we. When cheaper substitutes enter a market, quality differentiation is recognised later. Employers, regulators, and serious operators ultimately feel the consequences of that gap, and that is when the market rebalances toward providers who deliver genuine competence, not just certificates.

We do not compete to be the cheapest. We compete to be credible.

By protecting standards rather than diluting them, we deliver training that continues to pay dividends long after the course is complete, in the workplace, in earning power, and across an entire professional career.

What is competency-based assessment?
Competency-based assessment is a system used to evaluate whether a learner can consistently demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to perform specific tasks or job functions to the standard expected in the workplace. This approach focuses on practical performance and ensures that training outcomes are directly aligned with the needs of industry.

Learners are assessed against nationally endorsed competency standards. These standards are outlined in units of competency within a national training package. The emphasis is on whether a learner can meet predefined benchmarks, rather than achieving a certain score or outperforming peers as you may have experienced in your pervious primary and secondary school experiences. Adult learning principles apply in a system that places a strong emphasis on outcomes. It assesses what a learner knows and can do in real or simulated work situations, rather than what they simply know. This ensures that the assessment measures job-ready skills, not just theoretical understanding.

Assessments are conducted in a workplace context or realistic simulation to reflect actual conditions. This approach ensures the skills demonstrated are relevant and transferable to real job roles. Additionally, assessments are carried out by qualified assessors, who gather evidence using a range of methods—such as direct observation (in real time), practical tasks, questioning, and third-party reports—to determine whether the learner is competent or not yet competent.

Each unit of competency includes clear assessment criteria, such as required knowledge, skills, performance standards, and specific assessment conditions. This ensures transparency and consistency across all learners and training organisations.

Can anyone enroll in one of your courses?
If you would like to enroll in one of our courses, please call us to discuss your needs. Our business exists to provide solutions so we can try to work out a plan for you. Essentially, we will not accept an enrolment if we find that you may not be able to successfully complete the course. Some of our criteria include:
1. Learners must demonstrate language, literacy and numeracy to AQTF Level 3 which is equivalent to Australian Secondary Education Year 10 English and Math’s.
2. Learners must be medically fit to perform the work.
3. As this is a licensed occupation, learners must be a fit and proper person and qualify to obtain a licence with a licensing authority and in some cases, a police clearance when working on various client sites.
4. Learners must be employed by a business that can offer a workplace and suitably qualified workplace supervisor qualified at minimum to the unit/s being delivered to support the workplace projects and assessment.

How do I become a Pest Management Technician in Western Australia?
If you would like to be a Pest Manager in Western Australia, you will need to complete a Certificate III in Urban Pest Management. You complete the course with formal training which continues in the workplace. You will need to choose a Registered Training Organisation (like us) to deliver the formal training which will continue in the workplace under our guidance. The workplace training activities can only take place after you have applied for a provisional license with the Department of Health in Western Australia. Your workplace supervisor must be Licensed Pest Manager working in a Licensed Pest Management Business.

What is a Provisional pest management technician licence?
A provisional technician (PT) licence is required for new applicants who use a pesticide as part of the process towards attaining their qualifications for a pest management technician licence. A person may apply for a pest management technician (PMT) licence when they • Are at least 18 years of age. • Are employed by, or self-employed, in a pest management business that is registered by the Department of Health. • They have completed an approved qualification or competency skill set for the licence endorsement they wish to make an application • Have been declared medically fit • Are considered a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a licence. The following pest management qualifications/endorsements require a PT licence: • commercial domestic pests (not including termites and timber pests) • commercial domestic pests (including termites and timber pests) (NB: does not allow the licence holder to treat power poles) • termite treatment for power poles • feral pigeon control • fumigation. A PT licence for commercial domestic pest management activities can also be endorsed for: • lawns and garden • sales. Prior to applying for a PT licence, the applicant must obtain written confirmation from a registered training organisation (RTO) to confirm completion of the theory component of the following perquisite units. Proof of enrolment in other unit/s for the chosen endorsement area must also be submitted to the Department. • commercial domestic pests – with and without termites and timber pests, CPPUPM3006 Manage pests by applying pesticides • termite treatment of power poles, CPPUPM3010 Control timber pests • feral pigeon control CPPUPM3006 Manage pests by applying pesticides • fumigation CPPUPM3011 Manage organisms by applying fumigants to commodities and environments.

How long will it take to complete the course?
Nationally Agreed Hours (NH) are the hours notionally required to achieve the outcomes of units of competency comprising of contact and non-contact hours. Each course has the nominal hours provided on the detailed information page.

What happens after register?
When you register for a course, we will call you to discuss your learning needs and create your individual training and assessment profile. If your registration is accepted, we will send you an invoice. Once the invoice is paid, you are enrolled on the course. You will be sent a course confirmation and/or pre-course activities for trainer facilitated courses and the course materials for self-paced courses with detailed instructions.

How much is the course?
Each course cost is provided on the detailed information page. Please email us for a copy. Additional charges are incurred for workplace assessments conducted by our Assessment Team on a user pay basis at $210/hr plus expenses.

*Expenses include travel time, vehicle mileage and expenses at $2 per kilometre and/or airfares, accommodation, car hire, taxi fares and meals. An educational assistant may be required to attend remote locations due to occupational health and safety requirements at $1100 plus GST per day plus expenses. Please request a fixed price quote for your workplace assessment prior to enrolling in this course. Fixed quotes are payable on booking your workplace assessment. No refunds or credits are given for those who do not attend for any reason.

Will you deliver a course for my Team at our site?
Absolutely! *Remote site delivery attracts a set course fee for a minimum of 8 participants plus expenses. The site must pass our site suitability appraisal before enrolments will be accepted. No refunds or credits are given for those who cancel their enrolment after travel arrangements have been made. No refunds or credits are given for those do not attend for any reason. Additional participants are charged at the per participant fee for the course.

Can I request a date for training at your Training Rooms?
Of course! If you would like to set a date that suits your Team, delivery attracts a set course fee for a minimum of 6 participants. We will advertise the course and others may join. No refunds or credits are given for those do not attend for any reason. This fee secures the date for your company and the date is only subject to change at your request. Additional participants are charged at the per participant fee for the course. The course will be open to all those who eligible to join the class, capped to a maximum of 12.

What if I don’t want others to join?
Private delivery attracts a set course fee a set course for a minimum of 12 participants. No refunds or credits are given for those do not attend for any reason. This fee secures the date, the date can be changed at your request without penalty and the course will not be advertised.

What is the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) Level 3 and 4?
The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) is a tool which has been used to develop units of competency. It helps identify the skills five core skills of learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy required to successfully complete the unit. At Level 3 the leaner works independently and uses own familiar support resources in a range of contexts, including some that are unfamiliar and/or unpredictable. They demonstrate some skills of specialisation in less familiar/known contexts. They can interpret routine texts which may include some unfamiliar elements, embedded information and abstraction including some specialised vocabulary. They can perform tasks involving a number of steps, processes include sequencing, integrating, interpreting, simple extrapolating, simple inferencing and simple abstracting. At Level 4 the leaner works independently and initiates and uses support from a range of established resources. They can work in a range of contexts, including some that are unfamiliar and/or unpredictable, some specialisation in less familiar/known contexts. They can interpret complex texts, embedded information, including specialised vocabulary, abstraction and symbolism. They can complete complex task organisation and analysis involving application of a number of steps, processes include extracting, extrapolating, inferencing, reflecting and abstracting.

ACSF Level 3 Units on our Scope include:

AHCPMG301 Control Weeds
AHCPMG302 Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
AHCCHM307 Prepare and Apply Chemicals to Pests, Weeds, and Diseases
AHCCHM304 Transport and Store ChemicalsCPPCMN3004 Respond to enquiries and complaints

CPPUPM3005 Manage pests without applying pesticides
CPPUPM3006 Manage pests by applying pesticides
CPPUPM3008 Inspect for and report on timber pests
CPPUPM3010 Control timber pests
CPPUPM3011 Manage organisms by applying fumigants to commodities and environments
CPPUPM3017 Maintain, service and repair pest management equipment
CPPUPM3018 Maintain equipment and pesticide storage area in pest management vehicles
CPPUPM3042 Install termite management systems

TAEASS301 Contribute to assessment
TAEDEL301 Provide work skill instruction

ACSF Level 4 Units on our Scope include:

AHCCHM404 Develop procedures to minimise risks in the use of chemicals
AHCCHM405 Plan and implement a chemical use program
CPPUPM4001 Assess and select pest management vehicle and equipment
CPPUPM4002 Schedule, organise and monitor pest management operations
CPPUPM4003 Assess and advise on pest management options for sensitive operations
CPPUPM4004 Assess and advise on pest management options for complex operations
CPPUPM4005 Implement and monitor on pest management options for sensitive operations
CPPUPM4006 Implement and monitor pest management plans for complex operations

BSBSMB407 Manage a small team
BSBESB406 Establish operational strategies and procedures for new business ventures
BSBESB407 Manage finances for new business ventures
BSBSMB407 Manage a small team
TAEDEL404 Mentor in the workplace

Do I need a workplace supervisor?
You will need a workplace supervisor to complete the practical component of the course in Certificate III in Urban Pest Management. In Western Australia, your workplace supervisor must be a Licensed Pest Manager or Fumigator working in a Licensed Pest Management Business. In Western Australia PT licence holders must be employed by a registered pest management business and are not permitted to work unsupervised. PT licensees who are under the age of 18 years old, must have direct and personal supervision i.e. “shoulder - to – shoulder” or “within sight and sound” until the person is 18 years old. PT licensees over 18 years must be under direct and personal supervision for up to 30 working days after which they are permitted to apply pest treatments under the direction of a licensed pest management technician supervisor. Please check your States licensing requirements for all the requirements.

RTO 2514
Head Office: 85 Brown Street East Perth WA 6004
Mail to: PO Box 8288 South Perth WA 6951
Mob: (In Australia) 0413 125 785 Tel: 08 9225 7007 | 08 9225 7009
Email: action@pestaustralia.edu.au

© 2026, Pest Australia Pty Ltd T/as Pest Education Services and Training ABN 80091263688
Vocational Education and Training Since 1996

Grow with confidence. Learn with purpose. Succeed with us.