Department of Primary Industries and Regions Campuses

The Aquatic Sciences Centre, part of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) under PIRSA, is a specialized facility dedicated to marine and freshwater research, with integrated training programs for aquaculture and fisheries professionals. This campus offers advanced courses focusing on aquatic resource management, emphasizing scientific research translated into practical industry applications.

• Aquaculture Production Systems: In-depth training on designing and operating sustainable aquaculture farms, including species selection for abalone, oysters, and yellowtail kingfish. Courses cover water quality monitoring, feed optimization, and biosecure facility management, with practical sessions in experimental tanks and grow-out systems.
• Fisheries Science and Management: Modules on stock assessment, ecosystem modeling, and sustainable harvesting strategies. Participants learn statistical analysis of catch data, spatial mapping with GIS, and policy development for marine protected areas, using real-world data from South Australian waters.
• Aquatic Health and Pathology: Specialized courses on disease diagnostics in fish and shellfish, including histopathology, molecular techniques, and vaccination protocols. Hands-on lab work involves PCR testing and necropsy procedures to address emerging pathogens.
• Marine Biotechnology: Emerging training in genetic improvement of aquatic species, algal cultivation for biofuels, and bioactive compound extraction. Includes ethical considerations in genetic modification and commercialization pathways.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Courses on monitoring aquaculture's ecological footprint, habitat restoration, and compliance with environmental regulations. Field trips to coastal sites demonstrate impact mitigation strategies.

Programs are structured as postgraduate-level short courses and certifications, often in partnership with universities like the University of Adelaide. Annual enrollment exceeds 1,000, with a focus on R&D-driven education. Facilities include state-of-the-art wet labs, research vessels, and a library of aquatic specimens, supporting immersive learning experiences.

The Centre's initiatives align with national priorities for blue economy growth, training professionals to enhance Australia's $6 billion seafood industry. By integrating research outputs, such as climate adaptation models, into curricula, it prepares graduates for roles in government, industry, and consultancy. Success stories include alumni leading sustainable farming ventures, underscoring the campus's role in innovation and capacity building.

The Keswick Terminal serves as the primary hub for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) in South Australia, focusing on administrative, policy, and support services for primary industries. While not a traditional university campus, it hosts various training programs, workshops, and extension services aimed at industry professionals, farmers, and regional stakeholders. Main courses and training modules emphasize sustainable agriculture, biosecurity, and regional development.

• Agricultural Management and Sustainability: This program covers modern farming techniques, soil health, water management, and climate-resilient crop production. Participants learn about precision agriculture, integrated pest management, and organic farming practices to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Sessions include hands-on fieldwork and case studies from South Australian farms.
• Biosecurity and Animal Health: Essential training on disease prevention, quarantine protocols, and emergency animal disease response. Courses teach identification of pests and diseases, compliance with national standards, and risk assessment for livestock and crops. Interactive modules feature laboratory simulations and field inspections.
• Fisheries and Aquaculture: Specialized workshops on sustainable fishing practices, aquaculture systems, and marine resource management. Topics include fish stock assessment, regulatory compliance, and innovative farming technologies like recirculating systems for shellfish and finfish.
• Regional Economic Development: Courses on agribusiness planning, value-adding in primary products, and community engagement strategies. Participants explore market analysis, export opportunities, and funding for regional projects.
• Food Safety and Processing: Training in HACCP principles, quality assurance, and food technology for primary produce. Emphasizes traceability, hygiene standards, and innovation in food preservation techniques.

These programs are delivered through short courses, certificates, and collaborative partnerships with TAFE and universities, totaling over 300 hours of instruction annually. They equip participants with practical skills to support South Australia's $16 billion primary industries sector, promoting innovation and resilience. Guest lectures from industry experts and site visits to local operations enhance learning. Enrollment is open to professionals seeking CPD points, with flexible online and in-person formats available.

Overall, the Keswick Terminal's offerings bridge policy with practice, fostering a skilled workforce for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and regional growth. By 2023, over 5,000 individuals have benefited from these initiatives, contributing to economic diversification and environmental stewardship in rural communities.

The Loxton Research Centre, an agricultural-focused site under PIRSA's umbrella, is located in the Riverland region and provides extension services and training for horticulture, viticulture, and dryland farming. This campus emphasizes applied research in irrigation and pest management, offering courses tailored to River Murray growers.

• Irrigated Horticulture: Comprehensive training on efficient water use, drip irrigation design, and crop scheduling for fruits like citrus, grapes, and stone fruits. Includes soil moisture monitoring and salinity management techniques.
• Viticulture and Wine Production: Courses on grape varietal selection, canopy management, and integrated pest control for vineyards. Covers fermentation basics and quality assurance for premium wines.
• < broad>Plant Pathology and Entomology: Diagnostic training for diseases and insects affecting Riverland crops, with lab-based identification and chemical/biological control strategies. Field scouting protocols are practiced on-site orchards.
• Sustainable Land Management: Modules on soil conservation, cover cropping, and biodiversity enhancement in agricultural landscapes. Addresses dryland salinity and erosion control.
• Agribusiness and Marketing: Business skills for primary producers, including financial planning, supply chain logistics, and direct-to-consumer sales strategies.

Programs are short-course based, often free or subsidized for local farmers, with demonstrations in experimental plots and greenhouses. Annual reach includes 600+ participants, supporting the $1.5 billion Riverland ag sector.

The Centre's legacy in research, such as virus-free certification programs, informs its educational offerings, building resilience against droughts and pests. Collaborations with local councils and industry bodies ensure relevance, empowering growers to adopt innovative practices for long-term productivity and sustainability.

The Mount Gambier Office, PIRSA's regional center in the Limestone Coast, focuses on forestry, dairy, and green triangle industries, delivering training to support sustainable resource use and economic development in southeast South Australia.

• Forestry Management: Courses on plantation establishment, silviculture, and harvest planning for radiata pine and blue gum. Includes fire risk assessment and carbon sequestration modeling.
• Dairy Farming Excellence: Training in herd health, pasture management, and milk quality improvement. Covers nutritional balancing and automation in milking parlors.
• Bioenergy and Biomass: Modules on utilizing forestry residues for renewable energy, including pellet production and biogas systems.
• Soil and Water Conservation: Practical sessions on contour banking, wetland restoration, and nutrient runoff prevention for intensive agriculture.
• Regional Value-Adding: Workshops on processing primary products into higher-value goods, like cheese making and timber fabrication.

Offered via community-based workshops and online modules, these programs engage 400+ locals annually, leveraging the office's proximity to major plantations and farms.

By addressing regional challenges like bushfires and market shifts, the training enhances industry competitiveness and environmental outcomes, contributing to the $2 billion green triangle economy.

The Port Lincoln Marine Facility, a key regional outpost of SARDI under PIRSA, specializes in southern ocean fisheries and aquaculture, offering targeted training for the seafood industry in South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. This campus delivers practical, industry-focused courses that support commercial fishing, processing, and mariculture operations.

• Commercial Fishing Techniques: Hands-on training in vessel operations, gear technology, and safe harvesting methods for species like southern rock lobster and sardines. Courses include navigation, bycatch reduction, and quota management, with sea trials on local boats.
• Seafood Processing and Quality Control: Modules on post-harvest handling, chilling systems, and value-adding processes like filleting and smoking. Emphasizes food safety standards, sensory evaluation, and export certification for international markets.
• Aboriginal Fisheries Engagement: Culturally sensitive training on traditional knowledge integration, co-management of resources, and community-based monitoring. Collaborates with local Indigenous groups to promote inclusive practices.
• Ocean Ranching and Stock Enhancement: Advanced courses on releasing hatchery-reared juveniles to boost wild stocks, including tagging methods and population genetics. Practical work at release sites in Spencer Gulf.
• Climate Resilience in Fisheries: Training on adapting to ocean acidification, warming trends, and extreme weather, using predictive modeling and adaptive management strategies.

Delivered through vocational certificates and workshops, these programs accommodate working fishers with weekend and on-water sessions. The facility features processing labs, a small fleet of research vessels, and partnerships with local cooperatives, serving over 800 participants yearly.

Port Lincoln's role as Australia's seafood capital amplifies the campus's impact, contributing to a $250 million regional industry. Courses foster skills for sustainable practices, regulatory compliance, and business innovation, with alumni often advancing to leadership in fishing enterprises. By addressing challenges like overfishing and market volatility, the training enhances economic viability and environmental health for coastal communities.