The AUSRIVAS Online training course is offered twice a year by the University of Canberra. The course aims to teach the skills and knowledge needed to assess river health to an acceptable standard using AUSRIVAS methods. Those who complete its requirements successfully are eligible for accreditation from the relevant State or Territory agency.

There are no prerequisites for this short (12 weeks) non-award course, other than registration and payment. The theory of assessing river health can be learnt entirely online, with interactive tutorials and discussion. However, the student must attend a 5-day practical module in the final week of the course, to learn the practical skills required.

Note that AUSRIVAS accreditation will be conferred by the state authority (see AUSRIVAS State/Territory agency contacts for the list of contacts).

The tables below list the AUSRIVAS training modules needed to fulfill requirements for accreditation in 4 AUSRIVAS accreditation components. Table 1 lists the modules you should enrol in if you want to be both trained and accredited. Table 2 lists the modules you should enrol in if you want to be accredited only (i.e. you have extensive practical experience, and don't need additional training, but want to be tested for accreditation). Please also clarify the details of the accreditation requirements with your state AUSRIVAS State/Territory lead agency.

Table 1. Training and assessment for AUSRIVAS accreditation

To be trained and accredited in AUSRIVAS accreditation component:	Enrol in AUSRIVAS training module(s):
1. Pre-field & site information	Module 1: Study design and site selection Module 2: The habitat Module 5: Practical Workshop
2. Field work	Module 2: The habitat Module 3: Macroinvertebrate sampling and processing Module 5: Practical Workshop
3. Laboratory	Module 5: Practical Workshop + ID accreditation component or macroinvertebrate identification training tutorial (participants need to choose either the macroinvertebrate accreditation or tutorial). To pass the macroinvertebrate identification accreditation you will need be competent at family taxonomic level.
4. AUSRIVAS predictive models	Module 4: Data analysis, predictions and indices

 

Table 2. Assessment only for AUSRIVAS accreditation

To be accredited in AUSRIVAS accreditation component:	Enrol in AUSRIVAS module(s):
1. Pre-field & site information	Module 5: Practical Workshop
2. Field work	Module 5: Practical Workshop
3. Laboratory (accreditation to family level macroinvertebrate identification)	Module 5: Practical Workshop + ID component (Note that taxonomic training is not provided. You can attain accreditation via this module if you are already experienced in aquatic macroinvertebrate identification to family taxonomic level).
4. AUSRIVAS predictive models	Module 4: Data analysis, predictions and indices

Training equates with a "satisfactory" pass (see the AUSRIVAS course outline for details) and accreditation equates with the standards specified in the relevant State / Territory Accreditation manual (available in the section on Accreditation Manuals).

Following completion of the AUSRIVAS course, participants will receive a statement of results shown against the accreditation criteria outlined in the training and accreditation manuals. If the specified standard is obtained, the state 'Agency' will then confer accreditation.

The names of trained and accredited operators will only be listed on the AUSRIVAS Training and Accreditation register if requested by the AUSRIVAS user. That request must be accompanied by a signed consent form giving permission to add their name to the register.

Please clarify the details of the accreditation requirements for your state AUSRIVAS State/Territory.

The course costs $500 ($550+ 10% GST) per module for Modules 1-4 and can be completed over 12 weeks. The 5-day practical workshop costs $2090 ($1900 + 10% GST), which includes a macroinvertebrate identification tutorial or the macroinvertebrate identification accreditation (see course outline for description).

Course	Status
Online Modules - Semester 1 2022	closed
Online Modules - Semester 2 2022	closed
Workshop - 2023	TBA

 

To register your interest in enrolling in the course and receive an obligation free enrolment pack please fill in the online information request form.

Further Information