The word permaculture refers to ‘permanent agriculture’, and it is a set of design principles centred around simulating, or directly using features observed in natural ecosystems. This course is suited to those who understand the basics of permaculture and would like to enhance their skills and knowledge further.
The Certificate of Permaculture is an online professional development program that will further develop your understanding of how to plan and develop a productive, self-sustaining and environmentally stable permaculture system.
In this permaculture course, you will explore the nature and scope of permaculture concepts, including energy recycling, plant identification, biological pest control, ecology and ecosystems.
You will also learn how to describe the characteristics of soils, climate, water and forest systems, and apply this knowledge to a permaculture design environment.
On completion of this course, you will have gained insights into the variety of disciplines that relate to permaculture, and how its unique and visionary approaches can assist those looking for a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of living.
Course Structure
Permaculture I
Unit 1 – Permaculture concepts
- Life ethics
- Permaculture defined
- Guiding principles -relatve location, multiple functions and elements, elevational planning, energy recycling, etc.
- Ideas and techniques from around the world
- Natural gardening
- Organic growing
- No dig gardening
- Crop rotation
- Biological control of pest and disease
- Integrated pest management
- Living things vary from place to place
- Understanding plant names
- An easier way to identify plants
- Pronunciation of plant names
Unit 2 – Understanding the environment is key to permaculture design
- Introduction
- Ecology
- Ecosystems
- Abiotic components
- Biotic components
- Ecological concepts
- The web of life
- Replicating nature
- Successions
- Starting a permaculture property
- Cost, location, size
- Information required
- Structure of a permaculture system
- Choosing a site
- Permaculture design
Unit 3 – Soils in permaculture
- The role of soil
- Soil components -gravel sand, silt, colloids
- Peds
- Naming a soil
- Soil management
- Cycles
- Fertilizer application
- Nitrogen
- Factors affecting nitrogen release from organic sources
- Microorganism population
- Heat and chemical treatment
- pH
- Soil temperature
- Cultivation and cover crops
- Drainage and erosion
- How to measure soil pH
- How to measure organic content of soil
- How to measure water content of soil
- Determining solubility of soils
- How to test the effect of lime on soil
- Taking soil samples for laboratory tests
- Measuring salinity
- Colourimetry
Unit 4 – Climate and water in permaculture
- Site types
- Degree days
- The hydrological cycle
- Infiltration
- Rainfall
- Evaporation
- Effective rainfall
- Temperature
- Frosts
- Extreme hazards
- Permaculture microclimates
- The greenhouse effect
- Water and plant growth
- Climatic influence on production
- Frosts
- Climate considerations for fruit and vegetable production
- Climatic zones
- Humans and water
- Minimising plant requirements
- Household water
- Xeriscaping
- Interpreting weather reports and predictions
- Precipitation
- Wind
- Weather maps
- Weather map patterns
- Interrelationships between climate, soil and plants
- Estimating water requirements of plants
- Ways to improve water quality, from any source
- Water impurities – sediment, impurities, colour, chemical impurities
- Water hardness
- Alkalinity
- Corrosion
- pH
- Iron
- Salinity
- Tastes and odours in water
- Biological impurities in water -algae, bacteria
- Other water chemistry factors -dissolved gasses, nitrogen cycle
- Fish for ponds
- Other animals in water
Unit 5 – Forest systems
- Biomass
- Components of biomass
- Plant associations
- Pinus monoculture
- Eucalyptus association
- Deciduous forest
- Alpine communities
- Myrtaceae plants
- Australian legumes
- Rockeries
- Rain forest systems
- Wind, light and rain in forests
- Forest productivity – fuel, food, forage, shelter belt, structural, conservation
- Establishment of a forest
- Creating a rain forest
- Maintenance and upkeep of forests
- Plant application -trees, shrubs, ground covers
- A review of how to grow a variety of different plants for permaculture
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Enrol Now (Credit Card) or Enrol Now (Internet Banking/BPAY)
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
In this professional development course, you will discover how to evaluate the appropriate design strategies for specific development sites, understand the natural patterns occurring in the local area, undertake planning work, and prepare efficient and ‘value-added’ cost estimates.
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