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 to read and interpret plans, estimate costs, prepare tenders, manage contracts, supervise site work, and keep projects compliant with the National Construction Code and work health and safety law. There is a strong focus on the business side of building: scheduling trades, managing budgets, dealing with clients and subcontractors, and understanding the legal responsibilities that come with being the person in charge of a site.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. At Canberra Institute of Education and Technology the course runs over two years, and you can expect a mix of classroom teaching, workshop sessions and project-based work. Assessment is usually a combination of written tasks, practical projects and observations of your work. Because this is a vocational qualification, some units may include a work placement or simulated site activities where you apply what you have learned to real building scenarios. Always check the official course page for the exact units, credit points and any placement requirements.

What you actually learn

You will study building contracts and law, estimating and tendering, project scheduling, structural principles, materials and finishes, and site supervision. You also cover environmental sustainability in construction and how to manage risk on a building site. The skills you pick up are practical: producing a cost estimate, writing a tender, resolving a dispute between a client and a subcontractor, or planning the sequence of trades for a residential project. By the end, you should be able to take a set of drawings and work out how to get the building built on time and on budget.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who already work in the building trades and want to move into supervision or project management. It also works for school leavers who want a hands-on qualification that leads straight into the industry, and for people changing careers from another field who are good with numbers, plans and people. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Confirm all details, including English requirements and tuition, on the official CRICOS register and the institution's page.

• Building supervisor, running day-to-day site operations for residential or commercial projects.
• Construction project manager, coordinating budgets, timelines and trades across a build.
• Estimator, preparing cost estimates and tender documents for builders and developers.
• Contract administrator, managing contracts, variations and progress claims.
• Site foreman, leading trades on site and checking work against plans and standards.
• Building surveyor's assistant, supporting compliance checks and inspections.
• Small building business owner, running your own residential or renovation company.

These roles are in demand across Australia's construction industry, from Canberra's residential market to infrastructure projects in other states. Employers include building companies, subcontractors, developers, government housing authorities and specialist construction firms.