Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)

Overview

The Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) is designed for tradespeople working in the construction industry who want to begin their own business. Learn how to manage a successful building business through core skills such as contract management, site supervision and estimating. This qualification will assist you with your application for a builder’s registration.

Get a copy of our course guide

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Skills you’ll learn

Business management
Industry best-practice
Site supervision
Contracts management

Your career opportunities

Building works supervisor
Estimator
Contract administrator
Builder

Location options

Croydon

Professional accreditation

The course will assist you to apply for registration as a domestic builder and at the end of the course we run a registration workshop.

Admissions

Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study and/or relevant work history. Some additional criteria may also apply.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Other requirements

The following additional criteria for entry apply for this course:

Literacy: Applicants will need to demonstrate literacy competencies.

Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.

RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Discover more (Diploma of Building and Construction (Building))

Course structure

Students must complete a total of 19 units to achieve the qualification.

Core units

Elective units

Certificate IV

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 932

Your units

Certificate IV in Building and Construction

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 1 and 10 buildings Core unit	CPCCBC4001
Manage work health and safety in the building and construction workplace Core unit	CPCCBC4002
Supervise site communication and administration processes for building and construction projects Core unit	CPCCBC4008
Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects Core unit	CPCCBC4009
Apply structural principles to residential and commercial constructions Core unit	CPCCBC4010
Read and interpret plans and specifications Core unit	CPCCBC4012
Prepare simple building sketches and drawings Core unit	CPCCBC4014
Apply site surveys and set-out procedures to building and construction projects Core unit	CPCCBC4018
Minimise waste on the building and construction site Core unit	CPCCBC4021
Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 2 to 9 Type C buildings Core unit	CPCCBC4053
Elective units
Prepare specifications for all construction works Elective unit	CPCCBC4015
Produce labour and material schedules for ordering Elective unit	CPCCBC4005
Select, prepare and administer a construction contract Elective unit	CPCCBC4003
Apply project quality management techniques Elective unit	BSBPMG422
Select, procure and store construction materials for building and construction projects Elective unit	CPCCBC4006
Use building science principles to construct energy efficient buildings Elective unit	CPCSUS4002
Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects Elective unit	CPCCBC4004
Manage finances for new business ventures Elective unit	BSBESB407

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$14,850

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$4,650

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

Fees are estimates only

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Skills first government-subsidised place

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Financials
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Concessions rates for vocational students

If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.

Learn more about concession rates

Study this course for free in 2025

You could have your tuition fees covered in 2025 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE initiative.

Free TAFE is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.

There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!

Check your eligibility (Study this course for free in 2025)

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

CPC40120

Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code

CPC40120

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

July intake

Croydon

02-July-2025

07-July-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

July intake

Croydon

07-July-2025

Upcoming events

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Creative

08-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | STEM, Aviation & Health

09-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Social Impact and Innovation

10-April-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Location options

Professional accreditation

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Certificate IV in Building and Construction

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only