Accredited Permaculture Training (APT™) operates under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). There are nationally agreed standards for all accredited training. The Accredited Permaculture Training was developed by a group of experienced permaculture practitioners operating as a National Industry Reference Group.

Permaculture International Limited owns the copyright of the material in order to ensure its integrity. PIL is a member based organisation and so APT belongs to its membership of permaculturists. The process is administered by a Registered Training Organisation who will keep records that are AQTF compliant. AQTF auditors oversee work of the RTO. Every effort has been made to ensure the integrity of permaculture ethics and principles within the training, as well as in the process for registering teachers and maintaining consistent quality of APT.

The Application Process of registering teachers for APT was initially delegated by PIL to the Victorian Educators Group (VEG) of Permaculture Melbourne Inc. It is now administered under PIL by Claire Everett.

 To become an APT trainer you need... 

•  PDC                                         (Permaculture Design Course)
• Full membership of  PIL            (Permaculture International Ltd)
• Certificate IV in AWT                (Assessment & Workplace Training)  This will be acceptable until 2009 only.

OR

• TAA Certificate 4                      (Training And Assessment) Mandatory after 2008.
• Completion of a COW              (Course Orientation Workshop)
• Demonstrated Capability in area of teaching / assessing
• Membership in the APT Accredited Teachers Register (ATR)

 PDC

A PDC certificate is essential for those wishing to become APT accredited trainer/assessors. It is a foundation course and this requirement is to maintain the integrity of permaculture ethics and principles throughout APT training. PDC's are available across Australia and are often residential 2 week courses. Some are conducted part time over weekends and/or weekdays/evenings.

 PIL Membership

To become a member of PIL visit our website at www.permacultureinternational.org  and click ‘join’ on the homepage. You can only become a full member if you have completed a PDC. Associate membership for non PDC holders is also available, but will not allow membership in the ATR or confer voting rights in PIL.

Certificate 4 AWT/TAA

The Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training has been the required qualification for training under the AQTF until recently when it was replaced by the Certificate IV in Training And Assessment. It is available at most TAFEs,  but permaculture teacher Robin Clayfield has developed a dynamic version for permaculturalists. 

Course Orientation Workshop (COW)

The APT COW provides essential knowledge and skills of delivery and assessment methods particular to APT. It is provided by PIL as a way to make sure all APT trainers deliver APT in a way which reflects permaculture ethics and principles.

Note: The COW can be delivered on its own or as part of TAA training.

Capacity

Capability must be demonstrated in subjects relating to training at specified levels. These capacities must be stated and substantiated in the ATR Application available by clicking here.

Accredited Teachers Regester (ATR)

To join the ATR ensure the above requirements are covered and download the ATR Application Form by clicking here. Along with the application form you will need to provide the following:

•  A Curriculum Vitae or Resume that adequately demonstrates where and when the qualifications and/or experience necessary to teach and assess the units applied for were acquired.
• A Self-assessment form that demonstrates which units you feel capable of teaching.  Evidence submitted (see below) must be directly referenced to each unit of competency applied for. If a unit is applied for, but does not have a direct reference to a specific piece of evidence, it cannot be approved.
• Copies of three written references from individuals, at least one of whom is a PIL Director, member of the APT subcommittee, a Registered APT Trainer or a Diploma holder. Referees must be able to verify applicant can deliver training at the specified level.
• Evidence of active and on-going involvement in the permaculture community (membership of bioregional Pc association, contributions to publications, etc)

Please email Claire Everett, Registrar, APT Approved Teacher Register at lwpf@yahoo.co.uk  if you have any queries about the registration process.

An application fee of $50, made payable to PIL, should be sent with your application.

Your application should be processed within 6-8 weeks.

An additional $50 fee, made payable to PIL, must be sent after application has been approved for 2 years registration to the ATR. You will then be issued with a Certificate of Registration from PIL, and a registration number and renewal date. Our RTO will also have records of the APT Teachers’ Register.

Renewal in 2 years will be conditional on the applicant having gained the qualification at the level at which they are teaching.

To Deliver APT Training as an Accredited Trainer/Assessor You Need...

RTO Memorandum of Agreement

Once you are registered with APT ATR you will need to organize a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with a Registered Training Organization (RTO) licensed by PIL to administer APT. In order to gain an MOU you will need to satisfy the RTO that you are providing and venue acceptable under the AQTF. For a list of licenced RTOs click here. To provide an APT venue you need:

•  Public liability insurance cover
• Compliance with OHS requirements
• ABN if an independent operator, or contracted to an organisation with an ABN.
• Payments inclusive of GST (venue attracts GST for service but training is GST free)