Designers tend to develop special areas of expertise or work in certain arenas. The Permaculture Institute of Australia issues the following list of likely areas.
These are used to map a profile of a candidates experience as a designer and this profile is kept by the Academy as part of the candidates accreditation record.
Site development – Designing and working on their own or another site as a demonstration permaculture principles.
Site design – Completing designs for others in permaculture systems (usually not less than 10 designs, implemented or not).
Administration – Directing, conducting or assisting consultancy groups, associations and institutes and developing strategies in permaculture work.
Education – Working on curricula, teaching or course work in permaculture education.
Finance – Setting up or operating financial systems for ethical investment, community revolving loan funds or other self-financing systems for communities.
Trusteeship – Setting up or operating land or property trust for ethical ends, or a land access office for allied institutions.
System establishment and implementation– Setting up or operating nurseries, earth moving systems, soil conservation strategies or the supply of goods and services to the permaculture community. Working on the implementation of designed systems.
Media and Communications – Creating or operating publications or audio-visual and mixed media aids to communication and education in the permaculture community. Software development.
Manufacturing – Establishing or operating strategies or workshops producing hardware or goods for permaculture design use or other essential technologies. Researching and marketing such technologies.
Community Development – Planning, assisting with, or implementing community development projects, urban systems, villages or work with disadvantaged groups.
Architecture – Designing or building low-energy use and low-cost dwellings and structures.
Research – Making a significant contribution to research in the area or field of academic research into permaculture systems and needs.