Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Overview

The Diploma of Building and Construction covers building theory and practice related to residential, industrial and commercial building. You’ll learn specialist skills in plan interpretation, drafting, estimating, scheduling, cost control and more. Graduate with a qualification that is accredited under the Building Act for builder’s registration.

Get a copy of our course guide

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

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Skills you’ll learn

Read and interpret plans
Contracts & legal requirements
Prepare specifications for all construction works
WHS Risk management requirements
Manage project quality
Develop workplace policies and procedures for sustainability

Your career opportunities

Project Manager
Site Supervisor
Estimator
Contract Administration Manager
Builder, residential, industrial, and commercial

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400270124

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Location options

Hawthorn

Admissions

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

Applicants require a minimum of Year 12 completion or equivalent.

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

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Other requirements

Applicants will need to demonstrate literacy competencies.

Please note: Students looking to complete the Diploma of Building and Construction must hold the below certifications at the time of enrolment:

Level 3 in both literacy and numeracy (working at level 4)
Successful completion of Year 10 or equivalent
CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry (White Card) is required for site visits

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.

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.

Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)

Discover more (Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building))

Course structure

Students must complete 27 units, including 24 core units and 3 elective units.

Major study areas: tendering, planning and scheduling, construction technology and management, contract administration, estimating and plan reading, building codes and standards, construction structural principles, Risk, quality and business finances.

Core units

Elective units

Diploma

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 2148

Your units

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Select, prepare and administer a construction contract Core unit	CPCCBC4003
Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects Core unit	CPCCBC4004
Produce labour and material schedules for ordering Core unit	CPCCBC4005
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 and evaluate tender documentation Core unit	CPCCBC4013
Prepare simple building sketches and drawings Core unit	CPCCBC4014
Apply site surveys and set-out procedures to building and construction projects Core unit	CPCCBC4018
Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 2 to 9 Type C buildings Core unit	CPCCBC4053
Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Type B construction Core unit	CPCCBC5001
Monitor costing systems on complex building and construction projects Core unit	CPCCBC5002
Supervise the planning of on-site building and construction work Core unit	CPCCBC5003
Administer the legal obligations of a building and construction contractor Core unit	CPCCBC5007
Manage construction work Core unit	CPCCBC5010
Manage environmental management practices and processes in building and construction Core unit	CPCCBC5011
Apply structural principles to the construction of buildings up to three storeys Core unit	CPCCBC5018
Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 1 and 10 buildings Core unit	CPCCBC4001
Select and manage building and construction contractors Core unit	CPCCBC5005
Manage professional technical and legal reports on building and construction projects Core unit	CPCCBC5013
Lead WHS risk management Core unit	BSBWHS513
Manage business risk Core unit	BSBOPS504
Manage building and construction business finances Core unit	CPCCBC5019
Elective units
Develop workplace policies and procedures for sustainability Elective unit	CPCSUS5001
Prepare specifications for all construction works Elective unit	CPCCBC4015
Manage project quality Elective unit	BSBPMG532

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$18,760

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$13,560

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

Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)

If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.

The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

VET Student Loan amount* ($AUD)

$18,838

Learn more about VET student loans

Concessions rates for vocational students

Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.

The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.

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)

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

From 1 January 2024, all courses at the Diploma level and higher will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365.00

Learn more about SSAF

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

CPC50220

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

CPC50220

Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400270124

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

July intake (Industry)

Hawthorn

25-June-2025

30-June-2025

March intake

Croydon

25-February-2026

02-March-2026

March intake

Hawthorn

25-February-2026

02-March-2026

Start dates

Location

Start dates

July intake (Industry)

Hawthorn

30-June-2025

March intake

Croydon

02-March-2026

March intake

Hawthorn

02-March-2026

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

Are you in high school?

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Key codes

International student visa

Location options

Admission requirements

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

VET Student Loan amount* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)