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03/02/2026 at 9:00 am
Event date:
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02/12/2026 at 3:30 pm
Event end:
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How to bookClick on the book now button,
Applications now open, limited subsidised places available, apply now to see if you’re eligible.
Embark on a transformative journey towards sustainable living with our Permaculture course at Byron Community College. Nestled in the green heart of the North Coast in Byron Shire, this highly practical program offers you the chance to acquire essential skills that go beyond the classroom, fostering connections with like-minded individuals who share your passion for sustainability.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of permaculture, where organic farming, animal systems, natural building, food preservation, systems thinking, and community development converge into a holistic philosophy. Gain inspiration from natural ecosystems as you progress through this work ready qualification, equipping you to operate independently and skillfully in developing permaculture systems.
Experience the best of both worlds with a blend of classroom learning and hands-on training at our purpose designed BCC Permaculture Demonstration Site. This unique setup provides you with practical insights and confidence to lead the way towards a better future.
Join us to become a catalyst for positive change in sustainability. Enrol now and be part of the movement shaping lives, homes, and communities towards a more sustainable tomorrow.
Course Duration
- Course dates: 3 February – 2 December 2026
- The course duration is 38 weeks
- The weekly workload is 21 hours per week (classroom and home study)
Course Delivery
- Face-to-face learning delivered at our Mullumbimby Campus and/or the BCC Permaculture Demonstration Site:
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays – 9:00am – 3:30pm
- Self-paced learning at home: 8 hours per week, including non-supervised assessment tasks
- Assessments are conducted in a supervised (on-campus) and non-supervised (online) format
Units of Study
There are 15 units of competency that will be undertaken during the course:
Core Units:AHCPER322 Communicate permaculture system principles to stakeholders
AHCPER324 Establish a permaculture system
AHCPER332 Maintain integrated plant and animal systems
AHCPER335 Select plant and animal species for permaculture systems
AHCPER414 Develop recommendations for integrated plant and animal systems
AHCWRK322 Conduct site inspections
Elective Units:
AHCPER323 Use the characteristics of plant resilience in a permaculture system
AHCPER325 Mitigate plant pests, diseases and disorders in a permaculture system
AHCPER326 Install and maintain permaculture water management systems
AHCPER327 Install structures for permaculture systems
AHCPER329 Coordinate preparation and storage of produce from a permaculture system
AHCPER331 Coordinate propagation activities for a permaculture system
AHCPER334 Read and interpret property maps and plans
AHCPER336 Test, improve and maintain healthy soil in a permaculture system
AHCWRK314 Monitor weather conditions
Course completion
Following successful completion of this course, you will be awarded the AHC33822 Certificate III in Permaculture
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
Specific Admission Requirements
When studying with Byron Community College, we want you to succeed. This course involves reading and undertaking a range of written assessments. Entry requirements help us confirm that you’re ready to successfully complete the qualification and get the most out of your learning experience.
- The required foundation skills in reading, numeracy, writing and oral communication are at ACSF level 2-3
- Applicants will participate in a pre-enrolment interview as part of the enrolment process
- Students must be aged 18 years or over
- Access to computer and internet for completing online components of the course is required
- It is strongly recommended that students are physically able to work outdoors in varied weather conditions (sun, rain, wind) and perform tasks such as squatting, kneeling, bending, lifting, carrying, digging, shovelling, and weeding for extended periods.
What to bring
- Laptop
- Pen and paper
- Water bottle and refreshments
Further, students will require the following when participating in activities at the Permaculture Site:
- Long work pants
- Long sleeved work shirt
- Solid work boots (such as Ankle Bobbi Boots – https://merrypeople.com/)
- Wide brimmed sun hat
- Garden gloves – soft leather/cloth
- Raincoat
- Clipboard
- Compass (direction) – on your phone
- Camera (can use quality phone camera)
Course Fees
The fees for this course are determined according to your individual circumstances.
Full Course Fee: $7,700 (paid in instalments throughout the duration of the course)
As this course is included on the Smart and Skilled NSW Skills List, participants may be eligible for funding to subsidise their training. This funding could entitle you to a reduced-fee for your training^
To be eligible for Smart and Skilled government subsidised training, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or humanitarian visa holder, or a New Zealand citizen; and
- Live or work in New South Wales; and
- Be aged 15 years or older; and
- No longer be at school or equivalent; and
- Provide the College with your USI at the time of enrolment (admin staff can assist you in obtaining a USI)