# Floristry Training in Victoria: Courses, TAFEs and Short Workshops
Published: 2026-10-24
Category: Florists & Floral Design
Category URL: https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/category/florists-and-floral-design/
Meta Title: Floristry Training Victoria: Courses & TAFE | Flowers Across
Meta Description: Compare floristry courses in Victoria, from Certificate III at Box Hill, Holmesglen and Melbourne Polytechnic to short workshops and online options.
Tags: Melbourne, floristry careers, flower arranging
Tag URLs: Melbourne (https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/tag/melbourne/), floristry careers (https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/tag/floristry-careers/), flower arranging (https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/tag/flower-arranging/)
URL: https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/floristry-training-victoria/

Victoria has two main routes into floristry: a nationally recognised qualification from a TAFE or registered training organisation (RTO), or a short course or workshop with a florist or flower school. A Certificate III in Floristry is the usual qualification for working as a florist, and short courses suit hobbyists and anyone testing the waters before committing.

This guide lists the current qualification codes, Victorian providers we could confirm, short courses and online options, and what to check before you enrol. If you are still weighing up the career itself, start with [how to become a florist](https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/how-to-become-a-florist/) or our [floristry apprenticeship guide](https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/floristry-apprenticeship/). Studying in Sydney or elsewhere in NSW? See [floristry training in NSW](https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/floristry-training/).

![Open lined notebook and gold pen beside white narcissus flowers on a wooden bench](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cmodzcy8v00gd01v0jf02au8w/images/vicfeat-1792839952982-compressed.jpg)

Image by KateCox from [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/photos/id-1414116/)

## Nationally recognised floristry qualifications

Floristry qualifications sit in the SFL Floristry Training Package on [training.gov.au](https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/SFL), the national register. The package was updated in August 2025, and three of the four floristry qualifications now have new codes. Some provider pages still show the older codes, so it helps to know both.

QualificationCurrent codeOlder codeTypical roleCertificate II in Floristry (Assistant)[SFL20125](https://training.gov.au/training/details/SFL20125)SFL20115Floristry assistant working under supervisionCertificate III in Floristry[SFL30115](https://training.gov.au/training/details/SFL30115)(no change)FloristCertificate IV in Floristry[SFL40125](https://training.gov.au/training/details/SFL40125)SFL40115Senior floristDiploma of Floristry Design[SFL50125](https://training.gov.au/training/details/SFL50125)SFL50115Senior floral designer, often with a business or team lead role

The Certificate III is being reviewed by the skills council [Service and Creative Skills Australia](https://sacsa.org.au/projects/review-of-sfl30115-certificate-iii-in-floristry/), so its code may change in future.

### What each level covers

The **Certificate II** covers basic floristry skills, flower care and retail, and leads to assistant roles in florist shops, studios and online florists. The **Certificate III** builds the full set of florist skills: hand-tied, wired and base-medium designs, flower and plant identification, customer service and quotes. It can be studied on campus or as part of an apprenticeship. The **Certificate IV** and **Diploma** move into advanced and large-scale design and the business side of running a floristry team or shop.

### Funding and concessions

Many Victorian floristry places are subsidised through the state's Skills First program. Eligibility depends mainly on residency, being physically in Victoria while you train, and how many government-funded courses you have already started. You can [check your Skills First eligibility](https://www.vic.gov.au/check-your-eligibility-for-skills-first-funding) before you apply, and your provider confirms it at enrolment.

If you hold a [Health Care Card](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/health-care-card) or Pensioner Concession Card, ask about concession fees. Fees vary a lot between subsidised, concession and full-fee places, and materials fees are often charged on top, so ask each provider for a written quote.

## Where to study floristry in Victoria

These providers advertised floristry qualifications on their own websites when we checked in October 2026. Intakes and campuses change, so confirm the details with the provider before you plan around them.

### Certificate III in Floristry

- **[Box Hill Institute](https://www.boxhill.edu.au/courses/certificate-iii-in-floristry-shf38-d/)** (Box Hill): its 2026/27 course guide lists one year full time or two years part time, with February and July intakes, plus a three-year part-time option.
- **[Holmesglen](https://www.holmesglen.edu.au/explore-courses/horticulture-and-environment/floristry/vocational-education/certificate-iii-in-floristry)** (Glen Waverley): one year full time or two years part time, on campus. Students must be 18 or over.
- **[Melbourne Polytechnic](https://www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/study/certificate-iii/floristry/non-apprenticeship/)** (Fairfield and Collingwood): 38 weeks full time, including 50 hours of work placement in a floristry business.
- **[MM College](https://mmcollege.edu.au/course-learning-category/floristry/)**, formerly Marjorie Milner College (Surrey Hills and Geelong): Certificate III on campus or as an apprenticeship.
- **[The Gordon](https://www.thegordon.edu.au/courses/all/sfl30115-certificate-iii-in-floristry)** (Geelong).

### Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant)

[MM College](https://mmcollege.edu.au/course-learning-category/floristry/) lists the Certificate II on its floristry page, and [Melbourne Polytechnic](https://www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/study/horticulture/floristry/) has offered it in the past. Check which code your provider is enrolling under, because the old SFL20115 was replaced by SFL20125 in August 2025.

### Certificate IV and Diploma

We could not find a Victorian provider currently advertising the Certificate IV in Floristry or the Diploma of Floristry Design.

Outside Victoria, [The Flower School](https://theflowerschool.com.au/certificate-iv-in-floristry/) in Brisbane (RTO 41063) runs the SFL40125 Certificate IV in Floristry over 12 months part time, and students who are not based in Brisbane can join classes live via Zoom. We could not find any provider currently advertising the Diploma. To see who is approved to deliver them, use the "Find RTOs" tab on the [Certificate IV](https://training.gov.au/training/details/SFL40125) and [Diploma](https://training.gov.au/training/details/SFL50125) pages on training.gov.au, then ask whether they run classes in Victoria or online.

## Floristry short courses and workshops in Victoria

![Women at a floristry workshop arranging chrysanthemums, roses and autumn leaves in a low bowl](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cmodzcy8v00gd01v0jf02au8w/images/vicpex-1792839954559-compressed.jpg)

Photo by Anhelina Vasylyk from [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-engaged-in-floral-arrangement-workshop-35001322/)

Short courses don't lead to a national qualification, but they are a good way to learn the basics, build a portfolio or simply enjoy working with flowers. They run from a single session to several weeks.

- **[Thrive Flower School](https://thriveflowers.com.au/thrive-flower-school/)** (Moorabbin): beginner, career, wedding and event courses, plus workshops, with a focus on seasonal flowers and foam-free methods.
- **[Diamond Valley Learning Centre](https://www.dvlc.org.au/courses/introduction-to-floristry/)** (Greensborough): an eight-week beginners course, two hours a week. No dates were listed when we checked, but you can join the waitlist.
- **[The Gordon](https://www.thegordon.edu.au/courses/study-areas/art-design-floristry/floristry)** (Geelong City Campus): short courses in Introduction to Floristry and Classic and Contemporary Floral Design.
- **[Victoria Whitelaw](https://www.victoriawhitelaw.com.au/pages/flower-classes-melbourne)** (South Yarra and Brighton): private and corporate floral workshops.
- **Ikebana**: [Ikebana International Melbourne](https://ikebanainternationalmelbourne.org/learn) lists teachers across Melbourne from the Sogetsu, Ikenobo, Ichiyo, Ohara and Shogetsudo Koryu schools of Japanese flower arranging.

## Learning floristry online

- **[Bloom College](https://bloomcollege.com.au/)**: online floristry courses delivered by video tutorials and ebooks, from the beginner Flower Basics course through to advanced floristry and business skills, plus one-to-one career coaching.
- **[Floral Art School of Australia](https://www.floral-art-school.com.au/)** (Cheltenham): an online correspondence course covering 30 designs over three terms, with supplies included and up to 18 months to finish. It awards the school's own Advanced Certificate of Floristry, which is not a qualification on the national register.
- **[Astar's Place](https://www.astarsplace.co.nz/watch)**: a New Zealand floristry educator with free videos you can watch before paying for a course.

## How to choose a floristry course

- **Know your goal.** If you want to work as a florist, a Certificate III (or an apprenticeship) is what most employers look for. For a hobby or a single skill such as bridal work, a short course is quicker and cheaper.
- **Check the code.** Look the qualification up on training.gov.au and confirm the provider is approved to deliver it.
- **Ask about funding and total cost.** Ask for tuition, materials and amenities fees in writing, and whether you qualify for a subsidised or concession place.
- **Look at the practical side.** Ask about class sizes, how much fresh product you work with, and whether work placement or events are included.
- **Fit it around your life.** Compare full-time, part-time, evening and online options, and how far you will travel to campus.

Once you have the basics, our guides to [the history of flower arranging](https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/the-comprehensive-history-of-flower-arranging/), [today's most influential floral designers](https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/todays-most-influential-floral-designers/) and [DIY wedding flowers](https://blog.flowersacross.com.au/diy-wedding-flowers-the-definitive-guide/) are good next reads.

## Work with flowers at Flowers Across

Our Melbourne florists work with fresh, market-sourced flowers every day, and we support our floristry team with on-the-job training. If you are studying floristry or have recently qualified, [see careers at Flowers Across](https://www.flowersacross.com.au/careers/) and send us an expression of interest.

_Course details were checked against each provider's website in October 2026. Courses, intakes and fees change often, so please confirm with the provider before you enrol._
## FAQs
Q: Do you need a qualification to work as a florist in Victoria?
A: No licence or formal qualification is legally required to work as a florist in Victoria. Training.gov.au notes that no occupational licensing applies to the floristry qualifications. Many employers still look for a Certificate III in Floristry or an apprenticeship, because it shows you have the core design, flower care and customer service skills.

Q: What is the difference between a Certificate II and a Certificate III in Floristry?
A: The Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant) covers basic skills and leads to supervised assistant roles. The Certificate III in Floristry is the full florist qualification and covers hand-tied, wired and base-medium designs, flower identification, selling and quotes, so you can work more independently.

Q: Can I study floristry online in Victoria?
A: Yes. Bloom College and the Floral Art School of Australia both offer online floristry courses, but these are not nationally recognised qualifications. The Victorian TAFE and RTO Certificate III courses listed in this guide are taught on campus, with practical work and, at some providers, a work placement.

Q: Is government funding available for floristry courses in Victoria?
A: Often, yes. Eligible students can get a subsidised place through Victoria's Skills First program, and Health Care Card holders may pay concession fees. Eligibility depends on your residency and previous study, and your provider confirms it at enrolment.




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