What will I learn during the Hazardous Substances in Agriculture course?

Participants will learn how to safely prepare and apply agrichemicals, identify agrichemical hazards and minimise risks, store, transport and dispose of agrichemicals correctly, protect people, livestock and the environment, follow NZS 8409 best practice guidelines, meet legal responsibilities under New Zealand legislation, select and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and respond to agrichemical emergencies and spills.

Which NZQA unit standards are included in the course?

Successful participants can achieve NZQA Unit Standard 21563 – Describe hazard classification systems, and the safe and responsible use of agrichemicals, and NZQA Unit Standard 27215 – Prepare to apply and apply agrichemicals using handheld equipment. These nationally recognised unit standards demonstrate competency in the safe use and application of agrichemicals.

What will I learn during the Hazardous Substances in Agriculture course?

Participants will learn how to safely prepare and apply agrichemicals, identify agrichemical hazards and minimise risks, store, transport and dispose of agrichemicals correctly, protect people, livestock and the environment, follow NZS 8409 best practice guidelines, meet legal responsibilities under New Zealand legislation, select and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and respond to agrichemical emergencies and spills.

Which NZQA unit standards are included in the course?

Successful participants can achieve NZQA Unit Standard 21563 (Describe hazard classification systems, and the safe and responsible use of agrichemicals) and NZQA Unit Standard 27215 (Prepare to apply and apply agrichemicals using handheld equipment). These nationally recognised unit standards demonstrate competency in the safe use and application of agrichemicals.

Hazardous Substances in Agriculture

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Key Information

Duration:1 Day (8 Hours)

Maximum Attendees: 12

Training available nationwide at one of our centres, or your own workplace

Price (excl GST)

$4360 Company Booking

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Gain the essential skills to safely handle, store, and apply hazardous substances in agriculture while meeting New Zealand’s regulatory requirements.

Agricultural work often involves handling hazardous substances, such as agrichemicals, which can pose serious risks to human health, the environment, and livestock if not managed correctly.

This course is for people working in the primary sector who require understanding of, and are responsible for, the preparation and application of agrichemicals. We also cover the best practice guidelines for those who prepare and apply agrichemicals under supervision. This course follows the NZS 8409:2004 standard for the safe, effective, and responsible use of agrichemicals.

Students need to have 3 months of work experience in the industry prior to doing the course.

Please bring along your ID - We need to verify the identity of students in attendance, please bring ID with you on the day of training.

Key Learning Outcomes:

Safely and responsibly apply agrichemicals with minimal risk to human, environmental, and animal health
Understand regulatory and market requirements for agrichemical use
Learn your legal obligations under New Zealand legislation regarding the use of agrichemicals

Entry Criteria:

All students are required to have a level of written and oral English equivalent to NCEA level 1 (year 11) or IELTS 5.5 or higher, to be eligible to attend our courses. The person responsible for making bookings or authorising attendance on the course must agree to these Terms and Conditions prior to acceptance of their student(s) onto the course. Where a student does not meet our English language requirement a reader/writer must be supplied by the student or the person responsible for authorising the student’s attendance. The reader/writer cannot be another student attending the same course.

NZQA Unit Standards Included

Unit Standards - HSIA

Unit

Level

Credit

Description

21563

Describe hazard classification systems, and the safe and responsible use of agrichemicals

27215

Prepare to apply and apply agrichemicals using hand held equipment

Hazardous Substances in Agriculture Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Hazardous Substances in Agriculture training in New Zealand.

The Hazardous Substances in Agriculture course is a one-day NZQA-approved training programme designed for people who prepare, handle and apply agrichemicals in New Zealand's primary industries. The course teaches participants how to safely use agrichemicals while meeting legal requirements and following NZS 8409 best practice for the responsible use of agrichemicals. Successful participants can achieve NZQA Unit Standards 21563 and 27215.

This course is ideal for farmers, farm workers, growers, horticultural workers, vineyard staff, contractors, spray operators and anyone responsible for preparing or applying agrichemicals. It is also suitable for workers who apply agrichemicals under supervision and want nationally recognised training in safe chemical use.

Participants will learn how to:

Safely prepare and apply agrichemicals
Identify agrichemical hazards and minimise risks
Store, transport and dispose of agrichemicals correctly
Protect people, livestock and the environment
Follow NZS 8409 best practice guidelines
Meet legal responsibilities under New Zealand legislation
Select and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respond to agrichemical emergencies and spills

The course combines practical knowledge with current industry best practice.

Successful participants can achieve:

NZQA Unit Standard 21563 – Describe hazard classification systems, and the safe and responsible use of agrichemicals
NZQA Unit Standard 27215 – Prepare to apply and apply agrichemicals using handheld equipment

These nationally recognised unit standards demonstrate competency in the safe use and application of agrichemicals.

NZS 8409 is New Zealand's recognised industry standard for the safe, effective and responsible use of agrichemicals. It provides guidance on storing, mixing, applying and disposing of agrichemicals while protecting workers, livestock, crops and the environment. Following NZS 8409 helps businesses meet industry expectations and regulatory requirements.

Yes. The course helps workers and employers understand their legal obligations when using agrichemicals under New Zealand health and safety legislation. Participants learn how to manage hazardous substances safely, reduce risks and comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Yes. Participants should have at least three months of relevant industry work experience before attending the course. Students must also meet Safety 'n Action's English language requirements to successfully complete the learning and assessment.

Yes. Safety 'n Action delivers Hazardous Substances in Agriculture training at workplaces throughout New Zealand or at its nationwide training centres. Onsite delivery allows agricultural businesses to train teams together using practical examples relevant to their farming or horticultural operations.

This course is suitable for dairy farms, sheep and beef farms, horticulture, viticulture, orchards, cropping, forestry, landscaping, agricultural contractors, nurseries and other primary sector businesses where agrichemicals are prepared, handled or applied. Safe agrichemical management helps protect workers, livestock, crops and the environment.

Safety 'n Action is one of New Zealand's leading workplace health and safety training providers. The Hazardous Substances in Agriculture course is delivered by experienced trainers who combine practical agricultural knowledge with current legislation and NZS 8409 best practice. Participants gain nationally recognised NZQA qualifications and practical skills that support safer agrichemical use, regulatory compliance and responsible environmental management.

Informative and insightful course.
Student Feedback 5 June 2026

Great trainer attentive to all levels of students abilities.
Student Feedback 5 June 2026

Hazardous Substances in Agriculture

Key Information