APT Qualification Levels and Units of Competency
A brief summary of each qualification and list of the units of competency at each level. Updated with changes from the APT accreditation amendments Sept 2011 which include the new AHC units.
Names of Qualifications and nominal hours:
30866QLD Certificate I in Permaculture – 105-120 nominal hours
30867QLD Certificate II in Permaculture – 404-454 nominal hours
30868QLD Certificate III in Permaculture – 614-825 nominal hours
30869QLD Certificate IV in Permaculture – 825-1045 nominal hours
30870QLD Diploma of Permaculture – 945-1320 nominal hours
Below is a list of the competency units and requirements at each of the APT™ qualification levels.
NOTE: Units listed with a Bold Code are APT™ units owned by Permaculture International Limited.
30866 QLD Certificate I in Permaculture
Provides basic skills training in permaculture under full supervision. Suited to secondary school students, those who are unemployed or working on labour market/community development programs including indigenous persons.
Core
Complete all three (3) units in the Core Group
Elective
Complete at least three (3) units from the Elective Group of which at least one must be an Accredited Permaculture Training unit.
Total number of units of competency: 6 units.
Code Unit of Competency
Core Group (Nominal Hours 60)
QLD841PPP01B Observe permaculture principles and practices
QLD841RES02B Support resource conservation practices
AHCOHS101A Work safely
Elective Group (Nominal Hours 45-60)
QLD841IPA03B Support plant care in a permaculture system
QLD841IPA04B Support animal care in a permaculture system
AHCWRK101A Maintain the workplace
AHCMOM101A Assist with routine maintenance of machinery and equipment
AHCORG101A Support organic production
AHCNAR101A Support natural area conservation
A maximum of two (2) units can come from other areas as defined in the accreditation document.
30867QLD Certificate II in Permaculture
Provides higher level skills training in permaculture where supervision is provided on a routine basis. Suitable for secondary school students, volunteer groups (including WWOOF’ers, community gardeners), and those who are unemployed or working on labour market/community development programs including indigenous persons. This level also suits individuals with basic skills to start permaculture systems in their own gardens or property
Core
Complete all 6 units in Core Group
Elective
Complete at least 9 units from the Elective Group of which at least 5 must be Accredited Permaculture Training units.
Total number of units of competency 15 units
Code Unit of Competency
Core Group (Nominal Hours 170)
QLD842PPP01B Work effectively in permaculture
QLD842BIO03B Record information about the local bioregion
QLD842WAT04B Check and operate permaculture water systems
QLD842IPA06B Plant and maintain permaculture crops
QLD842IPA09B Recognise characteristics of integrated plant and animal systems
AHCOHS201A Participate in OHS procedures
Elective Group (Nominal Hours 234-284)
QLD842RES02B Harvest, treat and store seed
QLD842RES05B Prepare and store permaculture products
QLD842IPA07B Care for animals in a permaculture system
QLD842IPA08B Harvest permaculture crops
QLD842COM10B Operate within community projects
QLD842IPA11B Recognise threats and create opportunities in a permaculture system
AHCARB202A Fell small trees
AHCNAR201A Carry out natural area restoration works
AHCNSY203A Undertake propagation activities
AHCINF203A Maintain properties and structures
AHCMOM203A Operate basic machinery and equipment
AHCSOL201A Determine basic properties of soil and/or growing media
AHCWRK209A Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
A maximum of four (4) units can come from other areas as defined in the accreditation document.
30868QLD Certificate III in Permaculture
Provides ‘trade’ equivalent skills training in permaculture where a person is able to operate in a skilled and independent manner. This level is for senior secondary school students, volunteer groups, property owners who are developing permaculture systems on their land, those interested in providing permaculture implementation services and those who are working on and supervising small groups in labour market/community development programs including indigenous persons.
Core: Complete 6 units in the Core Group including one of *QLD843DES07B or *QLD843DES08B. (The other may be chosen as an Elective)
Elective: Complete at least 9 units in the Elective Group of which at least 6 must be Accredited Permaculture Training units.
A unit taken from the Core Group cannot be repeated as an Elective.
Total number of units of competency 15 units
Code Unit of Competency
Core Group (Nominal hours 360)
QLD843PPP01C Research and communicate information on permaculture principles & practices
QLD843IPA02B Develop recommendations for integrated plant and animal systems
QLD843IPA03C Maintain integrated plant and animal systems
*QLD843DES07C Establish a rural permaculture syste
One as Core
*QLD843DES08C Establish an urban permaculture system
One as Core
QLD843IPA12B Plan organic garden and orchard systems
AHCWRK311A Conduct site inspections
Elective units (Nominal hours 254-465)
QLD843IPA04B Carry out animal care, maintenance and treatment programs in a permaculture system
QLD843IPA05B Implement crop maintenance and harvesting programs for permaculture systems
QLD843IPA06B Use weedy plants in a permaculture system
QLD843DES07C Establish a rural permaculture system
If not taken as a Core Unit
QLD843DES08C Establish an urban permaculture system
If not taken as a Core Unit
QLD843WAT09C Install and maintain permaculture water systems
QLD843BUI10C Install structures for permaculture systems
QLD843IPA11C Kill and dress small livestock for domestic consumption
QLD843RES13B Co-ordinate preparation and storage of permaculture products
QLD843DES14B Read and interpret property maps and plans
QLD843COM15B Co-ordinate community projects
AHCSAW302A Implement erosion and sediment control measures
AHCINF301A Implement property improvement, construction and repair
AHCNAR301A Maintain natural areas
AHCPMG302A Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
AHCILM304A Follow cultural protocols
AHCNSY306A Implement a propagation plan
AHCWRK302A Monitor weather conditions
AHCLPW306A Undertake sampling and testing of water
AHCSOL401A Sample soils and interpret results
A maximum of three (3) units can come from other areas as defined in the accreditation document.
30869QLD Certificate IV in Permaculture
Provides skills training in permaculture for those who will be supervising permaculture works on rural and urban properties, who are working as project officers on community permaculture projects, and those seeking to become permaculture designers and/or advisors. This level is designed for those who have completed prior permaculture studies, those looking to be supervisors on labour market/community development programs including those based in indigenous communities. The core competencies at Level IV encompass the breadth of the existing PDC with additional design and consulting skills development.
Core
Complete all 5 units in the Core Group including one of *QLD124DES02B or *QLD124DES03B, the other may be chosen as an Elective.
Elective
Complete at least 7 units from the Elective Group of which at least 4 must be Accredited Permaculture Training units.
A unit taken from the Core Group cannot be repeated as an Elective.
Total number of units of competency 12 units
Code Unit of Competency
Core Group (Nominal hours 520)
QLD124PPP01B Provide advice on permaculture principles and practices
QLD124DES02B Design a rural permaculture system
*One as Core
*QLD124DES03C Design an urban permaculture system
One as Core
QLD124BUI04B Plan and implement permaculture works
QLD124BUI05B Select appropriate technology for a permaculture system
QLD124BIO06C Identify and analyse bioregional characteristics and resources
Elective Group (Nominal hours 305-535)
QLD124DES02B Design a rural permaculture system
If not taken as a Core Unit
QLD124DES03C Design an urban permaculture system
If not taken as a Core Unit
QLD124RES07B Design harvesting and storage systems for permaculture products
QLD124IPA08B Implement and monitor animal health and welfare programs for a permaculture system
QLD124RES09B Manage a permaculture seed bank
QLD124COM10B Recommend approaches for sustainable community and bioregional development
TAEDEL301A Provide work skill instruction
AHCBUS402A Cost a project
AHCBUS404A Operate within a budget framework
AHCLPW401A Process applications for changes in land use
AHCMER401A Coordinate customer service and networking activities
AHCORG403A Manage organic soil improvement
AHCSAW401A Set out conservation earthworks
AHCCCF408A Promote community programs
AHCCCF411A Develop approaches to include cultural and human diversity
AHCCCF405A Develop community networks
AHCCCF406A Facilitate ongoing group development
A maximum of three (3) units can come from other areas as defined in the accreditation document.
30870QLD Diploma of Permaculture
Provides training in permaculture for those who are working as project managers on permaculture community development projects, and those seeking to become permaculture systems designers and/or consultants. Client groups include those who have completed basic permaculture studies, those looking to be supervisors on labour market/community development programs including those based in indigenous communities.
Core
Complete the two (2) units in the Core Group
Elective
Complete at least 4 units from Elective Group A and at least 5 units from Elective Groups A or B
Total number of units of competency 11 Units
Code Unit of Competency
Core Group (Nominal Hours 200)
QLD124PPP01B Provide advice on permaculture principles and practices
QLD125DES02C Design an integrated permaculture system
Elective Group A (Nominal Hours 745-1120)
QLD125RCH01B Carry out permaculture field research
QLD125PLA03B Develop a strategic plan for a permaculture project or enterprise
QLD125MAN04B Manage a permaculture project
QLD125PLA05B Plan and supervise the implementation of permaculture project works
QLD125RCH07B Research and interpret requirements for a permaculture project
QLD125BUI09B Design permaculture structures and features
QLD125COM10B Prepare a sustainable community and bioregional development strategy
Elective group B
QLD125COM11B Facilitate participatory planning and learning activities
QLD125COM12B Plan community governance and decision-making processes
AHCWRK511A Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability
CHCCD516A Work with organisation and government structures to enable community development outcomes
CHCORG525C Recruit and coordinate volunteers
AHCSAW502A Plan erosion and sediment control measures
AHCWRK509A Provide specialist advice to clients
AHCORG402A Manage organic livestock production
AHCORG403A Manage organic soil improvement
AHCBUS502A Market products and services
AHCAGB501A Develop climate risk management strategies
AHCAGB501A Manage natural areas on a rural property
AHCORG502A Prepare the enterprise for organic certification
A maximum of two (2) units can come from other areas as defined in the accreditation document.
