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Jenny Mills, OffGrid Masterplan author

By Jenny Mills · rural nurse & homesteader · health, safety, law and the paperwork of going bush

“After losing three days of power to a failed battery bank costing $1,200, I learned that off-grid in the bush demands double the resources you think you need.”

OffGrid Masterplan

— Jenny. Paperwork first, then the fun part.

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Off-Grid Australia: Real Resources, No Bullshit

Off-Grid Living: The Essential Guide by Peter B. Smith (2022). Covers solar, water, waste. $45. Buy direct from Off Grid Australia (free shipping over $100).

Off-Grid Learning MapPowerSolar, Batteries, WiringWaterTanks, Bores, FiltersBuildSheds, Earthbag, CodesFoodGardens, IrrigationHealthFirst Aid, SafetyLawPermits, Rates, AccessStart HereSite + Climate FirstAssess site and climate before spending on any system
Learning map linking six off-grid topic areas through a central start-here assessment step.

Books (The Good Ones)

Off-Grid Living: The Essential Guide by Peter B. Smith (2022). Covers solar, water, waste. $45. Buy direct from Off Grid Australia (free shipping over $100).

Books (The Good Ones) — Off-Grid Australia: Real Resources, No Bullshit
Trusted reference books on a bush verandah

Permaculture Design Manual by Bill Mollison (2023 reprint). The bible for food systems. $85. Available at Permaculture College Australia.

Survival Skills for the Australian Bush by John Smith. Focuses on water catchment and fire management. $32. Check Amazon AU or local bookshops like Angus & Robertson.

Tip: Skip the "off-grid for beginners" books. They’re full of hand-holding. Get Smith or Mollison first.

Curricula (For Schools & Self-Education)

Permaculture for Schools (Victorian Department of Education). Free download. Covers water, soil, food. Go to Vic.gov.au, search "Permaculture Curriculum".

Curricula (For Schools & Self-Education) — Off-Grid Australia: Real Resources, No Bullshit
Study materials laid out on a rural table

Renewable Energy Basics (TAFE NSW). Short online course ($199). Not free, but practical. TAFE NSW website.

Tip: TAFE courses are the only real "curriculum" worth your time. Ignore university "sustainability" degrees—they’re theory-heavy and useless for actual off-grid.

Offline Media (No Internet Needed)

Off-Grid Australia Magazine (Quarterly print). Practical articles on solar setups, composting. $35/year. Order via offgridaustralia.com.au.

Offline Media (No Internet Needed) — Off-Grid Australia: Real Resources, No Bullshit
Offline media collection on a bush verandah

DIY Solar Workshop DVD (by Solar Solutions Australia). Step-by-step wiring, battery setup. $55. Available at solarsolutions.com.au.

Permaculture Design Cards (Print version). Physical cards for site planning. $60. Permaculture College Australia.

Tip: Print the Permaculture Design Manual index. You’ll need it when your internet dies.

Practical Tips (From People Who’ve Done It)

1. Don’t buy a $2000 solar kit online. Get a used Victron system from Urban Survival (Brisbane). $1,200. Works. No bullshit.

2. Water catchment is 80% of off-grid. Read the "Rainwater Harvesting" chapter in Smith’s book twice. Then build a tank. No excuses.

3. Join a local off-grid group. Facebook groups like "Off-Grid Australia" are free. Ask for help before you blow up your battery bank.

4. Test everything before you go off-grid. Run your system for 3 months on-grid first. Saves you $5k in mistakes.

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Working with electrical systems, structural modifications, or gas installations carries inherent risks. If you are not confident in your abilities, always engage a licensed professional.

Worth a watch: The 12 Australian Towns Where Off Grid Living Is Practically Free · Mr Austral

It walks through the permit and water‑rights paperwork for each town, so you see exactly what compliance looks like before you sign on the dotted line. — Jenny Mills

When to Call a Professional

While many off-grid projects are achievable as DIY, certain situations require licensed professionals:

Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before commencing work.