Next course Saturdays, 5 August to 18 November 2023.
This unique course gives you the knowledge and skills to observe and design from natural patterns to create productive gardens & properties. You will learn how to grow your own food, apply appropriate technologies, use resources wisely, build on living systems and rebuild communities.
The course is running on Saturdays from August 5th until November 18th, from 8.30am to 4.30pm. There are 2 Saturdays off (30th September and 11th November), with the latter one being for students to work on their final design project.



Permaculture Design Course at Northey Street City Farm
Learn to:
- Build Resilience through Connectivity
- Facilitate Regeneration of the Earth
- Create Abundance through Design
The Permaculture Design Course (PDC) builds from its foundation in ethics and design principles to develop strategies giving you the techniques and tools to inspire critical thinking.
Our skilled educators will give you the attention you need with more time for questions and conversations. We will dive deep into our subjects and have time to discuss your personal projects.
YOU WILL LEARN
- the history of permaculture and agriculture and the foundational concepts of the permaculture ethics and design principles
- to design from ecological pattern literacy, systems thinking, using Ethics and Design principles, designing from the whole, differentiated into parts
- to use the Scale of Permanence to give realistic outcomes for any design
- climate analogues and how varied micro-climates affect your site
- the patterns of our intent and that of our landscapes, elements and their functional connections in your design to minimize waste
- to savour our soils: soil biology, amendments, uses and putting it all together
- about trees and forests and how we can integrate them into our systems
- how we can cultivate our ecology to produce food based on our unique needs by including annuals, perennials, forest gardens and animals into our systems
- to enhance our communities and local economies through social permaculture design
- a practical understanding of the design process through group and individual design work
INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE FEE
- Extensive resources and handouts to complement course outcomes
- Design from day one and all through the course rather than just an end exercise.
- Teachers whose conceptual understanding of the permaculture design process complements their broad range of knowledge and experience to create an immersive learning environment
- Hands on experience at a 28-year-old permaculture site in Brisbane
- Four months devoted to studying and living permaculture. We like to take our time going over the course material, with plenty of time for hands-on activities, group process and design, creating community and fun.
COST
Early Bird $1450/ $1100 Health Care Card Holder + Eventbrite Fee (full payment one month prior to course commencement)
General $1600/ $1300 Health Care Card Holder+ Eventbrite Fee
(If you pay a deposit the balance must be paid 30 days before the start of the course for the Early Bird Discount, or 7 days before the start of the course for the standard rate.)
To minimise your Eventbrite fee, you can pay your deposit through Eventbrite and pay the balance by direct deposit.
Please email us at info@nscf.org.au for our account details.
Bookings available here.
Enquiries
Phone: (07) 3857 8775 (Tuesday -Thursday, 10am-4pm) Email: adultedn@nscf.org.au
Each of our NSCF Permaculture Design Courses has two part-scholarship positions available at half price (totaling $800 each person) for a First Nations (Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander) person. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Emma Brindal: edufarm.mgr@nscf.org.au or call the office on 3857 8775.
To apply for a First Nations part-scholarship, complete the application form HERE.
“Thought provoking, inspirational and informative – whether you are planning for a farm, house or unit. Everywhere I now look I see patterns, choices and opportunities…” Mark Lacy, PDC student.
Bookings and Payment Options
Places are limited in most courses and workshops so book now. Bookings for the PDC require payment of a deposit of $300. Deposits are non-refundable if enrollment is cancelled less than two weeks prior to course commencement. There is a discount for payment in full one month prior to course commencement.
The balance from the deposit can be made by direct debit. Please email us at info@nscf.org.au for our account details.
Course cancellations
We understand that sometimes circumstances change and participants may not be able to attend a course or workshop that has been paid for. For Permaculture Design Courses (PDC), deposits are non-refundable if enrollment is cancelled less than two weeks prior to course commencement. Exceptions may be made in cases of serious illness, sickness or emergencies. Once the PDC course has commenced, course payments are not refundable. However, if students need to withdraw from the course due to illness or emergency, exceptions may be made.
For shorter courses (Introductory weekend courses etc) we require a minimum of 7 days notice for cancellations. We do not provide refunds for any cancellations that are made within 7 days of a workshop. If participants cancel participation in a course and are entitled to a refund, they can opt for a credit for another course, to be used within 12 months of the original date of course commencement, instead of a refund.
Cancellations of courses and sessions by Northey Street City Farm:
- Northey Street City Farm (NSCF) may cancel or change a class at any time, for reasons including but not limited to, lack of participation, inclement weather or facilitator availability.
- Registrants can opt for a full refund, or can use the credit for a future workshop, to be used within 12 months of the date of the initial workshop or course.