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 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, and manage contracts. There is a strong focus on the regulatory side of the job too: building codes, WHS, structural principles, and the paperwork that keeps a site legal and compliant.

The course is delivered by Pakenham Institute Pty Ltd and is registered on CRICOS (course code 118421K). It is a vocational qualification, so it is built around units of competency rather than the semester-and-credit-point structure you would see in a university degree. You complete a set number of units, each with a defined nominal hours value, and you are assessed as competent or not yet competent. Delivery is typically one year full time, and the institute can confirm the exact unit list, delivery mode and any part-time options on the official page.

English requirements for international applicants follow the standard Australian pattern: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for most courses, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the institute's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so you need to meet both. While you study, your visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight, which is useful if you want to pick up site experience while you learn.

This diploma suits people already working in the trades who want to move into supervision, estimating or project management, as well as school leavers who know they want a career in construction and prefer a practical, hands-on pathway over a three-year degree. It is also a common route for international students who want an Australian qualification in the built environment without committing to a full bachelor programme. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your visa circumstances. Check the official CRICOS page and the institute directly for current unit details, entry requirements and how to apply.

• Building supervisor or site foreman – running day-to-day site operations on residential and commercial projects.
• Estimator – preparing cost plans and tenders for builders, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Contract administrator – managing contracts, variations and progress claims.
• Project coordinator – supporting project managers on medium-density and commercial builds.
• Construction manager (after further experience) – overseeing multiple sites or larger projects.
• Building surveyor's assistant or compliance officer – helping check plans and works against the National Construction Code.

Australian industries that hire these roles include residential building, commercial construction, civil infrastructure, property development, and government building and planning departments. Many graduates also go on to run their own building business.