Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is a one-year qualification for people who want to run building projects, not just work on them. You learn how to plan and supervise residential and commercial construction, read and interpret plans and specifications, estimate costs, prepare tenders, manage contracts, and keep a site compliant with the National Construction Code, work health and safety law and environmental requirements. The course also covers business side of building: managing budgets, leading teams, dealing with clients and subcontractors, and setting up or running a building company.

How the course is structured

This is an AQF diploma, which sits between a certificate IV and an associate degree. It is normally delivered over one year of full-time study, split into study periods across the year, with each unit of study carrying credit points. You complete a set number of core units and may have some elective choices depending on the provider. Assessment is practical: you work through real construction scenarios, prepare cost estimates and project documentation, and complete a capstone-style project that pulls together planning, costing, contracting and site supervision. Some providers build in work-integrated learning, such as a supervised site placement or a project with a local builder, so you spend time on an actual construction site rather than only in a classroom.

What you actually learn

By the end, you should be able to prepare a tender, estimate materials and labour, draw up a construction programme, supervise trades on site, monitor quality and safety, and administer a building contract through to handover. You also learn how to identify and manage risks, resolve disputes, and apply sustainability and energy-efficiency requirements to building work. These are the skills licensed builders and site managers use every day.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people already working in construction, carpenters, bricklayers, site supervisors, who want to move into management or get their builder's licence. It also works for career changers with some trade or project experience, and for school leavers who know they want a site-based career rather than a design office one. If you plan to study in Australia, note that a Student visa lets you 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 after you finish, depending on your circumstances. Entry usually requires English proficiency; international applicants commonly need IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent, and the Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the visa. Check the official CRICOS listing and the college's page for current tuition, intake dates and unit details before you apply.

• Builder or building contractor, running residential or commercial projects, often after meeting state licensing requirements.
• Site supervisor or foreman, managing trades, safety and day-to-day progress on site.
• Construction estimator, pricing materials, labour and subcontractor work for tenders.
• Contracts administrator, handling building contracts, progress claims and variations.
• Project coordinator, supporting project managers on larger builds.
• Building surveyor's assistant or compliance officer, checking work against the National Construction Code and approved plans.

These roles sit across Australia's residential, commercial and civil construction industries, with employers including building companies, subcontractors, developers, local councils and government infrastructure agencies. Demand for licensed builders and site managers is steady in most capital cities and regional growth areas.