Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in residential or commercial building as a site supervisor, construction manager or registered building practitioner. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is practical, industry-focused and shorter than a degree. You study full time over two semesters or trimesters, depending on how the college timetables its intakes. The course is delivered by Kangaroo International College Pty Ltd and is registered on CRICOS as 118426E, so it is available to international students holding a Student visa.

What you actually study

You learn how buildings go up and how to run the job. Core units cover construction planning, structural principles, estimating and tendering, contract administration, work health and safety, environmental sustainability, and the legal and regulatory framework that applies to building work in Australia. You look at the National Construction Code, Australian Standards, and the approval processes councils and private certifiers use. Assessment is a mix of theory and practical tasks: preparing a project schedule, pricing a small commercial job, reading and interpreting plans, and writing a site safety plan. The diploma is structured as a set of units of study, each with a credit point value, and you need to complete all required units to graduate.

How the course is structured

Expect a mix of face-to-face classes, workshops and site-based learning. Many diploma programmes in this field include a work placement or industry project, where you spend time on a live site or with a builder and apply what you have learned to a real job. If placement is part of your course, the college will tell you how many hours you need and how it is arranged. There is usually a capstone-style project in the final semester where you pull together planning, costing, safety and compliance into one building proposal. Credit may be granted for prior study or relevant work experience, assessed unit by unit against the learning outcomes.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people already working in the trades who want to move into supervision or management, and school leavers who want a fast, practical entry into the building industry without committing to a three-year degree. It also works for international students who need an Australian qualification to apply for a skilled migration assessment or to work as a building associate. If you are an international student, 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. English entry is typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent, and the Department of Home Affairs sets its own English requirement for the Student visa. Check the official CRICOS listing and the college's page for current tuition, intake dates and unit details.

• Building site supervisor, running day-to-day operations on residential or commercial projects, managing trades and safety.
• Construction project coordinator, helping plan schedules, budgets and materials for builders and developers.
• Estimator, pricing jobs for residential builders, subcontractors or suppliers.
• Contract administrator, handling documentation, progress claims and compliance for construction companies.
• Building associate or cadet, supporting registered building practitioners in design, approval and construction roles.
• Maintenance coordinator, overseeing repairs and upgrades for property managers, councils or facilities teams.

Australian employers in residential building, commercial construction, civil contracting, property development and government infrastructure hire diploma graduates into these roles. Some graduates use the qualification towards registration as a building practitioner with their state or territory regulator, though requirements vary and you should confirm the current rules with the relevant authority.