Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide advice on permaculture principles and practices. It requires knowledge of permaculture principles and practices. It also requires skills in identifying client needs and requirements, providing advice on permaculture practices and in researching and relating detailed permaculture information and advice to clients.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify client requirements for advice | 1.1 Initiate contact with the client to determine the scope and type of the permaculture advice required 1.2 Clarify the needs and requirements of the client 1.3 Determine client’s resources 1.4 Determine the needs and potential of the site or project |
2. Provide information on permaculture | 2.1 Provide the client with a written brief outlining the requirements for advice 2.2 Supply the client with information on permaculture design principles and practices 2.3 Respond to client requests for clarification or expansion of information 2.4 Outline relevant literature on permaculture and other sources of information to client 2.5 Record information given to the client |
3. Undertake permaculture research | 3.1 Research specific applications of permaculture principles and practices related to client needs and requirements 3.2 Determine research strategies and sources 3.3 Research and investigate latest developments in permaculture principles and practices |
4. Provide advice on permaculture principles and practices | 4.1 Prepare advisory documentation or presentation based on the client brief 4.2 Explain contents of advisory documentation to the client 4.3 Include a statement of limitations of advice 4.4 Respond to client requests for clarification or expansion of permaculture principles and practices 4.5 Take feedback from client |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify client needs and requirements for information and advice
propose a selection of permaculture practices and strategies that best suit the needs and resources of the client and the potential of the site
provide information on permaculture principles
provide advice on permaculture practices and strategies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles of permaculture based on 12 principles in David Holmgren Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability and the work of Mollison and Slay
ethics of permaculture: care for the earth, care for all people, fair share of surpluses, setting limits to biophysical growth (population, resource use and waste)
permaculture practices and strategies, such as
personal, household, community and bioregional strategies
sustainable agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture and organic gardening
economic alternatives that support sustainable living
low energy and low embodied energy building and manufacturing
appropriate technology
restoration ecology and maintenance of biodiversity
sustainable community development, bioregional development and relocalisation
Reuse and return of products in manufacturing cycle and waste utilisation, waste water, grey water, sewage and resource treatment for re-use and recycling
Sustainability education
elements of permaculture systems
functions of permaculture systems
permaculture design techniques
innovation in plant, animal and technology selection, use and performance
recent practice in bioregional community development and local energy descent planning
client communication techniques, record keeping and listening techniques
preparation of reports and presentations for clients
uses of Statements of Limitation in the giving of advice
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate IV or Diploma of Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) or non-accredited Permaculture Diploma is not sufficient at this level.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)