Duration:
2 years full time
Intakes: 

2023: January, July

Location: 
Fees: 

2023: A$7,077*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Overview

Develop the skills to manage a wide range of building projects with a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50220 at Victoria University Polytechnic. 

You will learn to take responsibility for coordinating the complete construction of a residential, industrial or commercial building.

Learning from industry professionals, you will develop specialist skills and knowledge to run a small-to-medium construction business, including:

  • quantity surveying
  • planning and scheduling of labour and materials
  • selecting contractors
  • managing project risk and quality
  • supervising work sites
  • construction technology
  • managing workplace safety
  • applying business codes and standards
  • structural principles for residential and commercial constructions
  • interpretation of plans and specifications
  • small business finance.

This course is suitable for those with a construction background and are working within the industry or are undertaking a traineeship. You must have access to active building sites.

You'll learn in our multi-million dollar trades facilities at our Sunshine Campus.

Our ‘Construction Futures’ hub is a sustainable training facility with a six-Star Green rating. It provides modern high-tech labs and dynamic workshops including:

  • concrete laboratory
  • survey laboratory
  • engine laboratory
  • soldering/construction laboratories
  • power systems laboratory
  • computer workstations with simulation and modelling software.

Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You’ll learn practical skills at our Construction Hub, giving you the chance to test out your theoretical knowledge. Learning a trade with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.

You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills.  You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:

  • site visits
  • industry projects
  • live work
  • industry endorsed workshops
  • industry simulation.

For detailed information about this course, including course delivery options, class schedules, and online information sessions, please contact Maja Dakic ([email protected]) directly.

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.

You can study this course full-time or part-time. 
The full-time option is delivered over a two-year period, on-campus, three days a week from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. The part-time course is delivered over a four-year period, remotely using Zoom, 2-3 nights a week from 5pm to 8pm on weeknights.
 

Course e-Brochure

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Application support sessions & campus tours

Attend a trades campus tour and application support session to see where you'll be learning, and find out more about applying to study at VU Polytechnic.

Careers in building

The building and construction industries are some of the largest industries for employment within Australia. The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50220 from Victoria University Polytechnic will give you the qualification and knowledge you need for roles of greater responsibility in the building industry.

Example job titles include:

  • registered builder 
  • estimator
  • building supervisor
  • construction manager.

The number of job openings is expected to be good; see Labour Market Insights for the latest salary and job-prospect predictions.

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degrees at Victoria University, and in some cases receive credit for your study:

Course structure

The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.

To be awarded the CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building), a student must successfully complete a total of twenty seven (27) units of competency, comprising of:
- twenty four (24) core units, and;
- three (3) elective units, of which:  - a maximum of one unit may be from any training package or accredited course as long as it ensures the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) alignment and contributes to a valid, industry supported vocational outcome.

VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).

Core units

ELECTIVE UNITS

IMPORTED UNITS

Students who commenced prior to 2023

IMPORTED UNITS IN TRANSITION

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers:

Previous completion of units at the VU Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

This qualification reflects the role of building professionals who apply knowledge of structural principles, risk and financial management, estimating, preparing and administering building and construction contracts, selecting contractors, overseeing the work and its quality and managing construction work in building projects including residential and commercial with the following limitations:
-
Residential construction limited to National Construction Code Class 1 and 10 buildings to a maximum of 3 storeys.
- Commercial construction limited to National Construction Code Class 2 to 9 buildings, Type C and B construction.

Admission & pathways

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Entry requirements

As part of the application process, applicants must:
meet the IELTS entry requirement of 5.5 (Academic) with no band less than 5.0
complete a Pre-training Review (PTR)
undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission
attend an interview
Students will/may need to have access to a building and construction site. However, if the student is not working in an appropriate industry, VU Polytechnic can support the student with veer simulation activities.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Bachelor of Building Design

Builders Academy Australia, Australia

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Bachelor of Building Surveying

Builders Academy Australia, Australia

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)

Builders Academy Australia, Australia

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 144 credit points of study.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

How to apply

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

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If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.