Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design

The Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design is a two-year qualification for people who want to work on the design side of civil infrastructure, roads, drainage, subdivisions, retaining structures and the like. You learn to produce detailed drawings and design documentation, read and interpret survey data, work with design software, and apply Australian standards and codes to real projects. The course sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is practical and job-focused rather than academic in orientation.

How the qualification is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are built from units of competency, each carrying credit points. A typical full-time load is around four units per semester, with two semesters a year, though some providers run trimesters. Assessment is usually a mix of written tasks, practical drawing and design projects, and observation of your work in a simulated or real workplace. Many advanced diplomas include a capstone unit where you pull together everything you have learned into one substantial design project. Because this is a civil construction design qualification, work-integrated learning is common, you may spend time on site, in a design office, or working with a local council or engineering consultancy as part of your assessment.

What you actually study

Expect to spend a lot of time in front of design software producing drawings that meet Australian standards. You will learn about soil and rock behaviour, structural principles, road and drainage design, stormwater management, and the documentation that goes with a construction project. There is usually a strong focus on estimating, scheduling and project administration, because advanced diploma graduates often end up coordinating between engineers, surveyors and construction teams. You will also cover workplace health and safety, environmental controls and quality requirements, all mandatory on Australian civil sites.

Who it suits

This course suits people who like solving practical problems and want to work on infrastructure without spending five or six years at university. It is a good fit if you are already working in construction and want to move into design or drafting, or if you are starting out and prefer hands-on learning to a purely academic degree. The skills you gain, technical drawing, design documentation, project coordination, are the same ones employers ask for when they hire civil design drafters and construction project officers.

International students should check the official CRICOS register for the current tuition fee, intake dates and English requirements. The Student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available once you finish, depending on your circumstances. Confirm all details with AAAR Institute of Business and Technology before you apply.

• Civil design drafter
• Structural drafter
• Construction project officer
• Site supervisor (civil works)
• Estimator
• Road and drainage design assistant
• Engineering technician

These roles are found in engineering consultancies, local councils, state road and water authorities, and civil contracting firms across Australia.