Create your future.

Permaculture and Sustainable Living

Embark on a journey of sustainability, ecology, resilience and ethical living with our exciting Permaculture and Sustainable Living courses!

Imagine gaining the skills to design harmonious systems that provide sustainable food, energy, and shelter for communities. Our hands-on Permaculture courses and certificates will do just that!

Byron Community College is renowned for our nationally accredited and FEE-FREE Certificate Courses. Not to mention a great collection of one day workshops and short courses to dive deep into the art of creating a more sustainable and integrated way of life. You won’t just learn theory; you’ll roll up your sleeves and work on real permaculture projects right here in the beautiful Byron Bay area.

Whether you’re passionate about design, management, or simply making a positive impact on the world, our range of permaculture and sustainability courses can match your interests and aspirations. Plus, they open doors to transforming local spaces, advancing your sustainability knowledge, and landing rewarding jobs and careers.

At the Byron Centre For Permaculture, we offer:

  • Certificate III in Permaculture
  • Certificate IV in Permaculture
  • Permaculture Design Courses (PDC)
  • Sustainability Living courses and much more…

Join us in creating a greener, more resilient and sustainable future.

Certificate III in Permaculture course image

AHC33822 - Certificate III in Permaculture

Certificate III in Permaculture course image4 February to 10 December 2025
 
Embark on a transformative journey towards sustainable living with our Permaculture course at Byron Community College. Nestled in the green heart of the North Coast in Byron Shire, this highly practical program offers you the chance to acquire essential skills that go beyond the classroom, fostering connections with like-minded individuals who share your passion for sustainability.
 
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of permaculture, where organic farming, animal systems, natural building, food preservation, systems thinking, and community development converge into a holistic philosophy. Gain inspiration from natural ecosystems as you progress through this work ready qualification, equipping you to operate independently and skilfully in developing permaculture systems.
 
Experience the best of both worlds with a blend of classroom learning and hands-on training at our purpose-designed 1-acre permaculture site, nestled within the Mullumbimby Community Gardens. This unique setup provides you with practical insights and confidence to lead the way towards a better future.
 
Join us, in collaboration with Mullumbimby Community Gardens and Permaculture Australia, to become a catalyst for positive change in sustainability. Enrol now and be part of the movement shaping lives, homes, and communities towards a more sustainable tomorrow.
 

Beekeeping - An Introduction

Sat, 22 March, 10am - 4pm, Mullum, $195

This workshop introduces potential bee keepers to the delight and fascination of this rewarding hobby. The session covers safety, myth busting, legal requirements, bee keeping and the most important thing - how to get started!

Compost Workshop

Mullum, $85

Nutrient cycling is the basis of life, sounds deep we know, but it's the truth of it. Without this system of turning the waste of one thing, into a food source for another, we would be no more.
Nature does it exquisitely, and in this workshop we teach you the best way we know how in emulating and assisting her. There are many modes of compost to suit absolutely every individual and their household set up. We'll take you through worm farms, bokashi, cold compost and hot compost. So no matter your space at home, your time and physical capabilities, we have you covered.
After a day in compost world you will go home with a deep understanding of compost and soil, determine what compost is best suited to you, get cracking on starting your own compost at home and/ or have the knowledge to improve your existing system.
The benefits of composting are endless... for your garden, for the planet, for the future and for yourself.

Growing Bananas

1 March 2025, 10am-4pm, Mullum, $160

Bananas, are one of the easiest and most versatile food plants to cultivate. Learn how to grow, manage, and harvest a banana clump organically. Explore the best local varieties, including Plantains and how to utilize them in your kitchen including cooking with green bananas, banana bell and stem.

Intro to Permaculture



A wonderful chance to gain knowledge on the key elements of Permaculture and how to integrate this into your home garden system.

We'll take a brief look at Permacultures foundations, zones, mapping, the soil food web, integrated pest management, compost, perennial species, weeds and integrated animal systems.

It's the perfect opportunity to see what Perm is all about and acquire ready to use, practical skills and knowledge.

Suited for beginners, it will be a mix of theory and practical activities, so wear your boots!

Native Beekeeping

Sat, 22 February, 12.30pm - 4pm, Mullum, $115

Social, semi-social and stingless bees all play a hugely important role in the Australian ecosystem, pollinating our unique wildflowers and more. Learn about bee morphology, nesting biology, foraging behaviour, the importance of bees in natural systems, and the effectiveness of stingless bees as a pollinator of farms and gardens.

Natural Building Introduction with Dani Wolff

 
Step into the fascinating world of working with natural building materials as you discover the versatility and beauty of straw bales, cob, mud bricks, and light earth. Learn the artistry behind these age-old techniques and uncover the boundless possibilities they offer for your next project. Let us inspire you to create sustainable, eco-friendly spaces that harmonise with the environment.

Owner Builder Essentials Workshop

Sat, 22 February, 9am-5pm, Byron Campus, $180

This one-day intensive workshop is designed for aspiring owner-builders who want to gain essential knowledge and skills to manage their own building projects with confidence.

Repair and Rewear

3 x Sat, 29 March - 12 April, 9am - 1pm, Mullum, ACE Funded*
Learning to Mend is a fun and creative way to reduce our impact on the Earth. Learn hand repairs including visible mending using sashiko (a traditional Japanese technique), patching, hems, buttons, how to repair torn seams, darning, minor alternations and a touch of embroidery. 

Sustainable Floristry with Leena Martens

4 x Fri 21st March - 11th April 2025 9:30am - 1:30pm Mullum, ACE Funded $0*
 
Join our class on creating beautiful floral arrangements with a focus on environmental sustainability. Emphasising seasonal Australian-grown flowers, you will learn to celebrate the beauty and imperfections that nature offers. Discover techniques for arranging flowers using alternative containers and mechanics that promote sustainability.