• You’re passionate about creating sustainable landscapes, growing food forests, and working with nature to regenerate the environment.
• You want to learn the skills to design and cultivate productive ecosystems that enhance soil health and support Biodiversity and Food Security.

Then this is the course for you.

To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must: 

• Show a willingness to get dirt on your boots and hands.
• Enjoy practical / manual work.
• Enjoy nature and outdoors.
• Possess good communication skills.
• Show your ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Demonstrate your problem solving & creativity - view challenges as opportunities for creative design solutions.
• Be ability to cope with varied weather conditions outdoor (e.g., heat, rain, cold, wind). Be ability to cope with nature (e.g., insects, reptiles, odours).
• Demonstrate your ability to follow Work Health and Safety procedures and respond to immediate safety risks. 

This course provides you with the foundational principles of Permaculture, focusing on the selection and propagation of plants that form the backbone of Sustainable Food Systems.

This course covers key areas such as plant propagation, soil management, water conservation, and system design, all aimed at equipping you with practical skills to create resilient, self-sustaining landscapes. Whether you're aiming to apply permaculture principles in your own garden, start a community food project, or pursue a career in sustainable agriculture, this course will provide you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to achieve your goals.

Time Commitment – You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; and undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research and complete assessment requirements. 

Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:

• Respectful Communication - Interact with people from different backgrounds, share ideas effectively and build trust.
• Teamwork – Collaborate with others, show them respect, and be open to feedback.
• Problem Solving - There is always a solution. How do you respond to a challenge? If you spot a problem, we encourage you to ask questions, clarify as needed, and respond appropriately within your training.
• Initiative - Stay motivated, take proactive steps, and seek help when necessary.
• Planning - Manage time well. Knowing how to prioritise and completing your tasks efficiently are crucial for your success.
• Self-Management - Reflect on your performance. Reflection is a powerful tool for growth and success as a student at South Regional TAFE. Being a professional in the workplace can mean learning when to accept responsibility for your failures as often as your successes. This is how we learn!
• Learning – Recognise what your strengths already are. Then embrace all the new knowledge and experience from your South Regional TAFE journey to grow as a student. Some of the skills you will learn include:
  • Communication
  • Select plant and animal species to establish and then maintain a permaculture system
  • Integrated plant and animal systems
  • Biosecurity
  • Native ecosystems
  • Water management systems
  • Plant resilience
  • Soil management
  • Plant pest, disease and disorder management
  • Post-harvest produce storage
  • Coordinate community projects and propagation activities for a permaculture system
• Technology - Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.