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National code: AHC52116

Diploma of Permaculture

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Overview About this course

Take your passion for nature and the outdoors and apply it to designing a sustainable form of productive living. Learn how to design a functioning permaculture system that can reduce impact on the natural environment and facilitate community-inclusive programs.

This course is superseded. You can still enrol in this course, and you will be contacted if you need to transition into the next version when it is available.

Outcomes What You'll Gain

Learning Outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Design, develop and manage a permaculture system

  • Provide advice on permaculture principles and practices

  • Apply organic farming principles

  • Project manage

  • Manage the impact of climate on sustainable systems

  • Explore changing technology options

  • Engage the community

Course Outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • Real-world experience on an organic farm with olive trees, mushrooms, vegetables, livestock and a flour mill

  • Experience working in a team to develop a permaculture design for a community group

  • Experience in farm management

  • Skills to manage a permaculture design project

  • A strong pathway into similar environmental studies such as organic farming, sustainability and regenerative agriculture

Suitability Is This Course Right For You?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • You must have access to land for permaculture design, as evidenced by photographs and a letter of approval and

  • You must have access to a community group to work with on your project of study, as evidenced by a letter

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Some experience with strategic planning and project management

  • Comfort with the natural system, land use planning and specialist permaculture design

  • Enthusiasm for working with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities

  • Collaborative skills with teams of people at the strategic level

  • The ability to inspire and motivate

  • Literacy, numeracy and technical skills at a Year 12 or equivalent level

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future Career and Study Options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: Permaculture systems designer, Organic farmer and Educator and teacher in the permaculture field

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Diploma of Permaculture does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 1 Course

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Permaculture qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 12 Units of competency, including 5 core and 7 speciality units.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Develop a strategic plan for a permaculture project or enterprise AHCPER503

  • Research and interpret requirements for a permaculture project AHCPER507

  • Manage a permaculture project or enterprise AHCPER504

  • Design an integrated permaculture system AHCPER502

TAFE NSW Services Facilities and Support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Smarthinking - online access to a tutor

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Delivery Options Find a Location to Enrol

On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.