CRDC Cotton Course 

The CRDC Cotton Course offers flexible, targeted learning for people across the Australian cotton industry. Delivered by the University of Sydney in partnership with CottonInfo and Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD), the course consists of three microcredentials designed to build knowledge and skills without traditional university requirements.

About the Course

The CRDC Cotton Course is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online resources, live sessions and in-person intensives at the IA Watson Grains Research Centre in Narrabri. Each microcredential requires approximately 50 hours to complete and is designed for growers, consultants, researchers and agribusiness professionals across the cotton supply chain. The content covers key areas such as cotton agronomy, sustainability, data and technology, as well as business and farm management, providing practical, industry-focused learning that fits around busy schedules.

Microcredentials

The CRDC Cotton Course, delivered by the University of Sydney in partnership with CottonInfo and CSD, consists of three microcredential courses, open to all in the cotton industry and all levels of educational attainment:

  1. Microcredential 1: Australian Cotton Farming Systems

    Focus: A foundational understanding of cotton and the Australian cotton industry. 
    Open to: new/early career growers, farm staff, agronomists, consultants, researchers, agribusiness professionals and others across the cotton industry value chain.
    Enrolments open: Now via the University of Sydney. 
    Course dates/location: 10-12 March 2026, Narrabri NSW
    Cost: $950, with a 10 per cent early bird discount for registrations prior to February 1, 2026.

  2. Microcredential 2: Digital and Data Solutions for Cotton Systems

    Focus: Data in cotton systems: how to collect and use it, manage technology hardware and software. 
    Open to: growers, agronomists, consultants, others in the cotton industry.
    Enrolments open: April 2026
    Course dates/location: early July 2026, Narrabri NSW
    Cost: $950

  3. Microcredential 3: Optimising Cotton Growing

    Focus: How do more experienced growers and consultants take their systems to the next level? Evaluating all aspects of the production system, including potential new approaches, adapting practices and management models that can be applied to individual operations.
    Open to: experienced growers, agronomists, consultants, others in the cotton industry
    Enrolments open: September 2026
    Course dates/location: November/December 2026, Narrabri NSW
    Cost: $950

Why choose the CRDC Cotton Course?

  • No prior qualifications required.
  • Practical, industry-focused content, developed and delivered by industry experts from CRDC, CottonInfo and CSD.
  • Designed for flexibility to suit busy professionals.
  • Builds recognised skills for career development.

For more information

Enrol now for Microcredential 1 via the University of Sydney. 
For enquiries: cotton.course@sydney.edu.au. 

The CRDC Cotton Course is complemented by a new course developed by the Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) – offering a view of the industry from the farm gate through to fabric. 

The ACSA Cotton Fundamentals course is a hands-on post farm gate program combining classroom learning with site and field visits – bridging theory with real-world practice.

CRDC is offering two scholarships to attend the ACSA Cotton Fundamentals course, valued at $1500 each. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate their commitment to applying the knowledge gained from the course for the broader benefit of the sector.

ACSA Cotton Fundamentals: