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    National Environment Centre

    A person in high-visibility clothing assists with planting or tending to vegetation in a natural area, and two individuals, wearing wide-brimmed hats and holding tablets, engage in a conversation amidst a wooded environment.

    The National Environment Centre (NEC) is located on a 180-hectare farm just outside Albury, NSW. In partnership with TAFE NSW, the NEC offers practical courses in sustainability and environmental management.

    Study at NEC

    When you study at NEC, you’ll receive training that's relevant to current environmental challenges and opportunities. You’ll gain real-world experience in sustainable agriculture, ecological practices and responsible land care.

    At NEC you can study subjects like:

    • conservation
    • water operations
    • land management
    • permaculture
    • agriculture.

    Studying at NEC also means you’ll have access to:

    • a working farm
    • purpose-built facilities
    • the latest technology
    • networking opportunities
    • industry-experienced teachers.

    Studying at NEC through TAFE NSW prepares you for a career in environmental sustainability and related fields.

    Find a course

    Practical education at NEC

    At NEC, you’ll have access to:

    • laboratories
    • glasshouses
    • specialised preparation rooms for rural science.

    Our immersive learning environment allows you to fully engage with your studies. By using our resources, you can enhance your learning experience and develop the skills needed to make a meaningful impact in a range of environmental fields.

    A group of people are engaged in environmental work in bushland. Two people are kneeling, while two others stand nearby, suggesting a collaborative effort in land restoration or conservation. The setting is bright and natural.

    The NEC Green Gate Farm

    At NEC, you'll have access to our organic Green Gate Farm.

    Here, we focus on:

    • sustainable and ethical farming practices
    • permaculture and agro-ecological principles
    • cultivating seasonal crops
    • soil health and animal welfare.

    The farm also supports the community by selling its produce directly to locals and partnering with nearby businesses. Open most Thursday afternoons, our on-farm shop sells lamb, pork, honey, vegetables and flour.

    A portrait of a young farmer standing proudly beside her plots holding a watering can.

    Our courses

    A girl is taking notes while sitting by a body of water. In the background, two people appear to be engaging in an activity related to environmental exploration.

    Certificate III in Conservation and ecosystem management

    AHC31421-01

    Help keep our ecosystem intact by learning how to preserve and rehabilitate our natural environment. Learn how to identify plants, pests and animals and work with national parks to restore bushlands and support conservation projects.

    Two male landscapers attentively reviewing a landscaping project.

    Diploma of Sustainable Practice

    HE20517V01

    The higher education Diploma of Sustainable Practice gives you the knowledge and practical skills to integrate sustainable practices into any organisation. This course is aligned with the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP).

    Meet our students

    • Testimonial Permaculture has fundamentally changed the way I look at the world. The principles don’t just apply to gardens, the methodology works for everything. It’s amazing!
      Jimmy W.Diploma of Permaculture
    • Testimonial It’s been an amazing experience, and I really feel like I’ve found my calling. The teachers were so knowledgeable. It was a perfect mix of practical skills and theory.
      Monique B.Diploma of Permaculture
    • Testimonial The teachers and education support officers really are amazing. They go out of their way to try and help you wherever they can.
      Jason S.Diploma of Permaculture

    We’re here to help

    TAFE NSW’s National Environment Centre is located at Ettamogah Road, Thurgoona 2640.

    If you want to know more about us and what we do, call us on 131 601 or follow us on Facebook.

    Follow us

    Testimonials

    • Jorja Cowan - Profile picture
      Testimonial One of the best things about TAFE NSW are the incredibly supportive teachers, who want you to succeed. My teachers were wonderful, and I was motivated to do well because I felt they really cared about me.
      JorjaTAFE NSW Graduate
    • Catherine Donnelly - Profile picture
      Testimonial I just love studying at TAFE NSW. The passion and industry experience the teachers possess is really motivating. I now have a new found appreciation for auditing, human resources, risk management and emotional intelligence.
      CatherineTAFE NSW Graduate

    Testimonials

    • Biripi man, Andrew Saunders, wearing a navy collared shirt, looking front on with a big smile on his face.
      Testimonial You’ve seen Andrew Saunders on Channel Nine's ‘The Block'. He is also making a difference for his mob as a proud Biripi man. He values his role as a leader in assisting Aboriginal students and creating a supportive learning environment at TAFE NSW.
      Andrew Saunders“It's more than getting a qualification, it's about connecting with mob."

    Testimonials

    • Cisco Networking Academy
      Testimonial Cisco Networking Academy partners with select international organisations and governments that share our values and can multiply our impact by helping to build the workforce of tomorrow. TAFE NSW has shared our vision and has been a valued partner for the past 18 years.
      Cisco Networking Academy
    • Montefiore
      Testimonial The course content was engaging and promoted a comprehensive and practical approach to managing staff performance that aligned with our values. Participants were unanimous in their positive feedback and reported increased confidence in managing performance.
      Montefiore
    • Lendlease
      Testimonial The partnership with TAFE NSW will leave a legacy beyond its boundaries and become an example of how great partnerships between government, industry and the training sector can effectively deliver sustainable learning and skilling programs.
      Lendlease

    Be deadly test

    • Gamilaroi man and TAFE NSW graduate Folau Paul Talbot smiling front on
      Testimonial Folau Paul Talbot, a proud Gamilaroi man, has completed multiple studies in Dental Assisting. He wants to train as a dental prosthetist and one day be the Director of an Aboriginal Health Centre. He says, “I didn’t complete one certificate, I completed multiple.”
      Folau Paul Talbot“The teachers were great … and the support was amazing."
    • Biripi man, Andrew Saunders, wearing a navy collared shirt, looking front on with a big smile on his face.
      Testimonial You’ve seen Andrew Saunders on Channel Nine's ‘The Block'. He is also making a difference for his mob as a proud Biripi man. He values his role as a leader in assisting Aboriginal students and creating a supportive learning environment at TAFE NSW.
      Andrew Saunders“It's more than getting a qualification, it's about connecting with mob."
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