Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is a practical, trade-focused qualification for people who want to run building projects rather than 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 subcontractors, and keep a site compliant with Australian building codes, work health and safety rules and environmental requirements. The course also covers contract administration, quality control and the day-to-day scheduling that keeps a job on time and on budget.

How the qualification is structured

This is an AQF diploma, which sits below a bachelor degree and is built around units of competency rather than a traditional semester or trimester timetable. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to complete all required units to graduate. Delivery is usually a mix of classroom or workshop sessions, online theory and practical tasks, and assessment is competency-based, you either demonstrate the skill or you don't, and you can often be reassessed. There is no research thesis at this level, but you will complete a capstone-style project or simulated building job that pulls together estimating, planning, contracts and site management into one piece of work.

Work-integrated learning

Building and construction is a field where hands-on experience matters, so many diploma programs include a work placement or site-based component, and assessment tasks often ask you to apply what you learn to a real or simulated project. If you are already working in the industry, some providers recognise prior learning and current employment as evidence toward your units. Check with The Peach Institute about placement arrangements and whether your current job can count.

Skills you come out with

You finish able to prepare accurate cost estimates, write and evaluate tender documents, administer building contracts, supervise trades, conduct site inductions and safety inspections, and manage the paperwork that keeps a project legal. You also build the communication and negotiation skills you need to deal with clients, certifiers, suppliers and subcontractors. The qualification is a common pathway into site supervisor and building management roles, and it can also be a stepping stone to further study in construction management or building surveying.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who already have some building site experience, carpenters, bricklayers, concreters or leading hands, and want to move into supervision or project management. It also works for school leavers who know they want a career in construction but would rather do a shorter, practical qualification than a three-year degree. International students should note the Australian study requirements: you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances and the current rules. The Peach Institute publishes tuition and intake details on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm all fees, dates and English requirements on the official course page before applying.

• Building site supervisor, running day-to-day site operations for residential or commercial builders.
• Construction project coordinator, helping plan and track timelines, budgets and subcontractor schedules.
• Estimator, preparing cost estimates and tender documentation for building companies.
• Contracts administrator, managing building contracts, progress claims and variations.
• Building surveyor's assistant, supporting certification and compliance work.
• Maintenance coordinator, overseeing repairs and upgrades for property owners or facility managers.

These roles are found across the Australian construction industry: residential builders, commercial construction firms, civil contractors, government infrastructure projects, property developers, strata and facilities management companies, and specialist subcontractors. The diploma also gives you credit toward further study in construction management or building surveying if you decide to go on to a degree.