Permaculture Matters - Permaculture Design Course (PDC) Autumn 2026

Permaculture Design Course (PDC) 2026

An internationally recognised, life-changing course

Offered by Permaculture Matters

Permaculture Matters is offering a twelve-day, internationally recognised Permaculture Design Course (PDC) in Autumn 2026.

Course dates

Autumn PDC 2026

March
• 21–22
• 28–29

April
• 18–19
• 25–26

May
• 2–3
• 16–17

You will need to complete at least 80 per cent of the course to receive your Permaculture Design Certificate.

Who this course is for

Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever your age or background, learning about permaculture offers a powerful new way of understanding how to live within your means and the means of the Earth.

This course is for gardeners, designers, educators, change-makers, landholders, renters, families, community builders, and anyone seeking practical tools for a more resilient, ethical, and connected way of life.

Permaculture Matters’ PDC is a rich, creative, and deeply connected learning experience that meets you where you are.

What is permaculture?

“Permaculture is a philosophy of working with rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation; of looking at systems and people in all their functions; and of allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions.”
Bill Mollison (1928–2016)

While food growing is part of the picture, permaculture goes far beyond gardening. It offers a framework for designing homes, communities, livelihoods, and lives that work with natural systems rather than against them.

What you will learn

Throughout the course you will:

• Learn the foundations of permaculture ethics and principles, providing a framework for ethical and sustainable living that considers future generations
• Explore core competencies in depth, including reading the landscape, contour mapping, water harvesting and management, energy and nutrient cycling, patterns in nature, community strategies, and permaculture design principles
• Apply theory to practice through real-world examples
• Complete an individual design project based on your home or another place important to you
• Collaborate on a group design for a local site
• Develop a deeper understanding of natural patterns and how to use them to create resilient, beautiful systems in everyday life

The benefits

Participants commonly experience:

• A fundamental shift in how they see the world
• A stronger sense of community and belonging
• Positive impacts on mental health and wellbeing
• Reduced food costs and household expenses
• Improved food quality through organic, nutrient-dense produce
• A lower carbon footprint, benefiting both present and future generations
• Greater clarity, flow, and structure in gardening and home life
• International certification in Permaculture Design
• Deep connections with like-minded people
• Plenty of learning, laughter, and shared purpose

What past participants say

Sonya Forrest, a participant in the current PDC, describes the course as:

“…an enriching and transformative experience, and an opportunity to create new connections with like-minded individuals in the community. Permaculture Matters has crafted an exceptional learning experience that goes beyond traditional education.”

Scholarships

Up to two fully funded places are available.

Eligibility includes:
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants
• Refugees
• Young people aged 18–22

Please contact us to discuss scholarship options.

Cost and discounts

Standard rate: $1,450
Concession card holders: $850

Payment plans are available. Please enquire if you would like to discuss options. hello@permaculturematters.com.au

Enrolments

Enrolments close Friday, 6 March at 5 pm.

Places are limited, and due to current enrolment levels we cannot guarantee this course will run again in 2027. If you have been considering a PDC, now is the time to step in.

If you have questions or want to talk it through before enrolling, we would love to hear from you. hello@permaculturematters.com.au