Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is a two-year qualification for people who want to run building projects, not just swing a hammer. You learn how residential and commercial construction actually works: reading and interpreting plans, estimating materials and costs, scheduling trades, supervising a site, and keeping the job compliant with the National Construction Code and Australian Standards. There is plenty on contract administration, WHS obligations, structural principles and the business side of a building company.

How the qualification is structured

As a diploma on the Australian Qualifications Framework, this sits below a bachelor degree and is delivered through units of competency rather than majors. At AITE you can expect a mix of classroom theory, workshop sessions and practical tasks, with assessment based on real documentation, take-offs, tender submissions, site diaries, safety plans. Delivery is typically semester-based, and some providers offer trimester intakes, so confirm the current schedule and unit sequence on the official course page. Duration is two years; the CRICOS course code is 117085G.

Skills you come out with

Graduates can prepare cost estimates, manage subcontractor agreements, coordinate site operations, apply for permits and inspect work against approved drawings. You also pick up the paperwork side of the trade, progress claims, variations, defect reports and client communication. These are the skills that let a builder move from hands-on work into running the job.

Who it suits

This course suits tradespeople stepping up into supervision, site managers wanting formal recognition, and international students looking for a practical qualification in an industry that hires steadily across Australia. It also gives people from overseas a route into the local building sector, where knowledge of Australian codes and contract practice matters as much as technical skill.

International students study on a Student visa, which allows 48 hours of work per fortnight while the course is in session. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. English entry is typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced accepted as equivalents; the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the visa itself. Check the CRICOS register and the AITE course page for tuition, intake dates and licensing outcomes, as these change.

• Building supervisor or site foreman, running day-to-day operations on residential and commercial projects.
• Construction estimator, preparing cost plans and tender documents for builders and developers.
• Contract administrator, managing subcontracts, progress claims and variations.
• Project coordinator, supporting project managers on medium-density and commercial builds.
• Building surveyor's assistant or compliance officer, checking work against the National Construction Code and council requirements.
• Small building business operator, many graduates go on to run their own company, subject to state licensing requirements.

Hiring industries include residential construction, commercial and civil contracting, property development, government infrastructure and facilities management. If you plan to register as a builder, check the licensing body in the state or territory where you intend to work, as requirements differ.