Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is a one-year qualification for people who want to work as building professionals in Australia. It covers the knowledge and skills needed to manage residential and commercial construction projects: interpreting building plans and specifications, understanding the National Construction Code and Australian Standards, estimating costs, preparing tenders, scheduling trades, supervising work on site, and applying work health and safety, contract and environmental requirements. You also learn how to deal with clients, consultants and subcontractors, and how to keep a project on time and within budget.

This is an AQF diploma, delivered over one year of full-time study. Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set credit point value, and you normally enrol in a full-time load each semester or trimester. Assessment is competency-based: you have to demonstrate that you can actually perform the tasks, not just recall theory. Depending on the provider, some units may be delivered through a combination of classroom learning, online study and practical sessions, and there may be opportunities for work-integrated learning or industry placement where the course includes it. You should confirm the exact unit list, delivery mode and any placement requirements on the official course page.

Skills you build include reading and interpreting construction drawings, measuring and estimating materials and labour, preparing tender documentation, programming and coordinating site works, monitoring quality and compliance, and communicating with everyone from the client to the trades on site. You also learn how building contracts and regulations shape what happens on a project, and how to manage risks and safety obligations. These are the day-to-day skills of a building supervisor, estimator or contract administrator.

The course suits people already working in the construction industry who want to move into a supervisory or management role, as well as school leavers or career changers who want a practical qualification that leads to work quickly. It is also a common pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in construction management or building surveying, with credit for the units you have completed. If you are an international student, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after graduating, which gives you post-study work rights in Australia, and while you are studying you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. English proficiency is required for international applicants, and the Student visa itself has a separate English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always check the official page for current details.

• Building supervisor – overseeing day-to-day site operations on residential or commercial projects.
• Construction estimator – preparing cost estimates and tender submissions for builders and subcontractors.
• Contract administrator – managing contracts, progress claims and variations on construction projects.
• Site manager – coordinating trades, materials and schedules to keep projects on track.
• Building cadet – working with a licensed builder or construction company while you gain experience.

These roles are found across Australia in residential and commercial building companies, civil construction firms, subcontractor businesses, and government or infrastructure projects. The diploma can also lead to further study in construction management or building surveying, and may count towards the experience requirements for builder licensing in some states and territories. Check with the relevant state or territory building authority for licensing requirements.