Refund Policy 

The following refund policy will apply if an accepted place is cancelled before the course commences or if a student withdraws enrolment during the course.

The Enrolment Application Fee, where levied, is non-refundable and will be deducted from any refunds specified below;-

·              If a student cancels a confirmed enrolment because of exceptional and compassionate reasons such as the death or severe illness of a member of their immediate family, a full refund of fees paid will be made.

·              If a student withdraws before the starting date of the course, 90% of the semester’s prepaid tuition fees will be refunded.

·              If a student withdraws within the first eight weeks of the course, 50% of the semester’s prepaid tuition fees will be refunded.

·              No refund of monies paid will be made if a student withdraws after the eighth week of the course.

·              A student will be liable for any outstanding unpaid course fees due at the time of withdrawl in accordance with the above terms.

In cases where the venue defaults and is unable to provide a course after formal acceptance and payment by the student, 100% of the semester’s prepaid tuition fees will be refunded.

Assessment 

Permaculture College Australia is committed to ensuring reliable, flexible, fair and valid assessments that meet the regulations of relevant training packages and accredited courses.

Reliability: All assessments are applied consistently and there is a standard interpretation of evidence used in these assessments.

Flexibility: Assessments will be available at PCA campus and in the workplace, or a combination of both.  Assessments can be made through Recognition of Prior Learning applications.  PCA ensures all assessments allow for flexibility regarding how, where and when competencies are assessed.

Fairness:  Assessments will not, under any circumstance, disadvantage any student.

Validity:  Assessments will always meet the specified requirements of the Unit of Competency. Sufficient relevant evidence will always be collected in making assessments.

Evidence gathering methods commonly used in Erda Institute Incorporate assessments include, but are not limited to:

•  Evaluation of the finished product
•  Demonstrations
•  Questioning
•  Role-plays
•  Oral presentations
•  Audio/visual presentations
•  Projects/assignments
•  Written tests
•  Skills portfolios
•  Case studies
•  Workplace performance
•  Portfolio/log book  

Appeals and Complaints Procedures

Complaints may be about:

•   PCA trainers and support staff, especially regarding assessments, contact, delivery techniques and general.  Administration issues during training.
•  Other students, people and organisations
•  The behaviour of and/or matters relating to other students

Appeals can be made:

•  Against decisions made by the RTO

The Complaints Process

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Arrangements and Mutual Recognition

• Non-identical training

• Work experience and/or life experiences

The Process of Applying for Recognition of Prior Learning

Application:

Providing Evidence:

•   Transcripts of formal qualifications
•   Formal statements of attainment
•  Job descriptions of previous and current positions
•   Supporting letters from professionals and skilled tradespeople

Assessment:

Review:

Mutual Recognition

Access and equity

Student Behaviour

        Students have a responsibility to behave appropriately including showing respect towards other APT students, staff and clients. Harassment of any nature will not be tolerated.
        Students are expected to attend and participate in training sessions as required by the program coordinator. Valid reasons with relevant documentation should be provided for non-attendance.
        APT Deliverers will expect that the use and handling of tools, machinery and equipment will be carried out in a safe and proper manner according to OHS guidelines.
        Mobile phones are to be switched off during training sessions unless by prior agreement.
Students unable to meet the above requirements will be referred to the program coordinator for counselling.

Continued disregard for these guidelines may result in referral to  the RTO, APT and/or PIL management for further action. Any behaviour in breech of the law will be referred to the relevant authority or police.

Training Environment – Venue

The main training room is a large earthbrick passive solar hexagon opening onto generous veranda spaces. The main room also houses the extensive professional reference library, AV library and equipment and internet access (wireless and cable broadband). The main room is open to students for day and evening use as a design studio and common room. The generous verandas provide popular semi-open training spaces for classes and undercover practical workshops.

The administration office provides photocopying facilities. Tea-making facilities available for non-residential students, plus communal wood-fired BBQ and cob oven.

Composting toilets, shower and hand washing facilities provided for all students .

Other facilities include nursery, tool shed and workshop, range of traditional and hand tools and equipment for practical training.

The training centre has a 3 Ha “living classroom” of working permaculture systems for field work and practical training including plant nursery, gardens, orchards, animal systems, aquatic systems, bush regeneration, bushfoods and wildife habitat areas. 

See list at bottom of page for training equipment and text books you need to provide for your studies.

Course Resources

Students have access to a comprehensive professional library of over 2000 reference books and publications, video/DVD library, internet access, photocopying service, computer, printer & CD burner. Full-time students can choose to have an individual patch in the Djanbung Student Garden for personal use and experimentation. Interns have opportunities to participate in a wide range of projects and activities at Djanbung Gardens. External opportunities include Nimbin Community Gardens, Landcare projects and WWOOFing.  Lismore Mobile Library comes to Nimbin every Thursday  

Local Resources and Services

Nimbin

Community Technology Centre, Rainbow Power Company, Environment Centre, Community Garden, School of Arts, Community Centre, Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre,  Centrelink agency, counselling and community support services, Medical Centre, alternative healing centre, shopping centre, markets etc.

Recreational opportunities include yoga, tai chi, dance classes, life drawing, sporting clubs, bushwalking club etc.

Entertainment – regular live gigs, poetry nights, movie nights and events in the village. National Parks & world heritage rainforests only 15 min from Nimbin.

Lismore City

30km from Nimbin – regional centre with Southern Cross University, TAFE, Conservatorium of Music, Soil Food Web, organic market, regional services and government offices, major CBD, specialist professional, community & health services, entertainment etc plus rail and coach links and domestic airport.

Lismore district is exceptionally diverse with numerous villages & great local markets.

Byron Bay (daily shuttle bus service), Lennox Head, Ballina and Gold Coast beaches approx 1 hour drive from Nimbin.

Residential Options

Limited places available for on-site internships at Djanbung Gardens. Local accommodation options may include WOOF placements on local properties and intentional communities.

Please enquire for further details

• Long Work Pants
• Long sleeved work shirt
• Solid work boots
• Sun hat
• Protective glasses
• Work gloves- leather
• Garden Gloves - soft leather/cloth
• Ear muffs
• Hard hat
• Some hand tools e.g. Secateurs, hand trowel
• Wet weather gear: rain coat, gumboots, umbrella

• Clip Board
• Journal
• 2-ring Binder or other folder for misc notes and course materials
• Artline pens (0.2, 0.4)
• Pacer (clutch) pencils
• Colour Textas and/or pencils
• Scale ruler (1:100, 1:200, 1:500)
• Rubber
• Compass (drawing)
• Set Square
• Protractor
• A4 Graph paper 2mm  
  
• Tape measure (8 or 10m)
• Compass (direction)
• Camera  (rechargeable batteries please)
• Computer/laptop (recommended for Cert II & IV, essential for Diploma)
• A3 drawing board (Cert IV & Diploma)
• A3 graph (2mm) and tracing paper (Cert IV & Diploma)
  

APT Qualification Cert/Dip Training Registration Process

Steps

1. Pre-registration: submit a completed Pre-Registration form to Permaculture College Australia

Download current APT registration form

 APT Registration Form 2011 (55.5 kB)

or Email us and request a copy to be sent. 

2. Enrolment Application: upon acceptance you will be required to pay the deposit to reserve your place in the course. You will then need to complete the RTO enrolment application form and pay the full Enrolment Fee. The enrolment fee must be paid in full at least 2 weeks prior to course commencement. See Refund Policy.

3. Course Tuition Fees are to be paid by commencement of training and/or agreement confirmed for PAYG (Pay As You Go) terms.