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This course is superseded.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.
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
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
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
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.
Our graduates go onto roles like: Permaculture systems designer, Organic farmer and Educator and teacher in the permaculture field
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
The Diploma of Permaculture does not have any post-graduate courses.
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
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.
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.
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
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.