Permaculture Research Institute

About us

The Permaculture Research Institute of Australia functions as a model farm (in development) and permaculture training facility. Geoff and Nadia Lawton, world-renowned permaculture educators and consultants, lead the project. The institute, situated on Geoff and Nadia Lawton's Zaytuna Farm, currently runs multiple courses and internship programs throughout the year. Currently, the facilities can accommodate from 15 to 35 people.

The climate is sub-tropics with hot wet summers and cool dry mild winters with light frosts in the early mornings on the lower slopes and frost free on the upper slopes.

The 27 hectare property has 800m frontage to the Terania Creek and across the creek sits the small village of The Channon in northern NSW 20mins from Lismore. The farm is continuously being developed as an ongoing education model providing students with example of permaculture systems in place, being initiated, established and maintained.

The main frame of earthworks on site consists on 3 high dams on the same contour level and connected by a 400m large swale, these provide gravity irrigation water throughout the site with an average head pressure of 20m in the mid slopes. There are extensive water-harvesting swales in the mid to lower slopes with keypoint dams and feature dams with multiple uses including aquaculture.

The growing systems include extremely diverse kitchen gardens, food forests, extensive main crops, farm forestry, nursery and pastures.

Animals systems include, compost worms, bees, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, goats, dairy and beef cows, working dogs, horses and rabbits. Pigeons will be added soon.

High quality compost is continuously being produced from very diverse farm elements, and the life quality is assessed by a powerful microscope. This compost is used to create highly oxygenated, life-dynamic, compost tea fertilizer.

Most of the structures on site are straw bale construction with mud renders and lime plasters. All electicity is provided by solar with a stand alone battery bank storage. All drinking water is pure, clean rainwater.

Job description

 You will be working in the head office of the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia, with the day to day running of the office. You will be also engaging in general farm administration duties. The Farm is located just outside The Channon in northern NSW 20mins from Lismore.

On top of your wage meals are included (morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea)

Must be/have:

-extremely organised

-able to multi task

-be able to prioritise

-must be able to type from dictation

-be able to work in a dynamic environment

-maintain a clean and tidy workplace

-friendly attitude

-good communication skills essential

-must be culturally sensitive

-petty cash accounting experience

-myob experience

-proficient in excel and word

-experienced with mac

-sound computer knowledge 

-self motivated/ self starter/ can work alone

-problem solving skills

-tech savvy an advantage

-first aid training an advantage

Duties include but not limited to:

-phone answering

-replying to emails (dictation)

-basic accounting

-sales

-general clerk duties

-PA work

-file management

-ordering new stock and farm consumables

-stock taking

-occasional child minding (one only)

Please include your resume and a cover letter in your application.

To apply please click on the apply link below.