Overview
Become a highly-skilled building project manager with a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50220 at Victoria University (VU).
Gain specialist skills and knowledge from experienced industry professionals and equip yourself to run a successful construction business in residential, industrial or commercial.
At VU, everything you learn in your building and construction course has direct links to the real world, from the latest industry-standard knowledge to practical on-site projects.
You’ll learn about all aspects of running 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.
Study alongside your work in construction
If you’re already working in the construction industry or undertaking a traineeship, you can study this course full-time or part-time alongside your work.
Choose from either:
- full time: two years on-campus, three days a week 9am–5pm on weekdays
- part time: four years online, two to three nights a week 5pm–8pm on weeknights.
The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is a highly practical course that integrates with your work in the construction industry, so you must have access to active building sites while you’re studying.
Connect to industry with hands-on learning
At VU, you’ll learn from teachers who have the latest industry-standard skills and years of experience on job sites. Plus, get industry and professional experience through:
- site visits
- industry projects
- live work
- industry endorsed workshops
- industry simulation.
Learn in high-tech trades facilities
You’ll develop your skills at our unique construction hub, a multi-million-dollar trade training centre with a six-star green rating on our Sunshine Campus.
The modern high-tech labs and dynamic workshops include:
- concrete laboratory
- survey laboratory
- engine laboratory
- soldering/construction laboratories
- power systems laboratory
- computer workstations with simulation and modelling software.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
-
Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Information sessions
Find out more about starting a career in construction. Attend an information session, presented by our industry experts.
Registration is not required.
Details:
- when: every Thursday, 2pm–3pm.
- where: Sunshine Campus, Building C, Room C206.
For more information, email: advanced.building@vu.edu.au.
Careers in building
With a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) from VU, you’ll be equipped to take on greater responsibility in building and construction.
Take advantage of working within one of Australia’s largest industries, with 10% further growth expected by 2026. You could take on roles such as:
- registered builder
- estimator
- building supervisor
- construction manager.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building), 27 units must be completed consisting of:
- 24 core units
- 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.
Course structure and units
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
-
- Unit code
- BSBOPS504
-
- Unit code
- BSBWHS513
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- Unit code
- CPCCBC4001
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4003
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4004
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4005
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4008
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4009
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4010
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4012
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4013
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4014
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4018
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4053
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5001
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5002
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5003
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5005
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5007
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5010
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5011
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5013
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5018
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC5019
ELECTIVE UNITS
-
- Unit code
- BSBPMG532
-
- Unit code
- BSBPMG538
IMPORTED UNITS
-
- Unit code
- CPCCBC4026
Students who commenced prior to 2023
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- Unit code
- CPCWHS1001
Learning outcomes
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:
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Residential construction limited to National Construction Code Class 1 and 10 buildings to a maximum of 3 storeys.
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Commercial construction limited to National Construction Code Class 2 to 9 buildings, Type C and B construction.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Standard applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
- attend an interview
In addition, practical demonstration of skills on a building and construction site will/may be required for some units of competency, near the completion of the course. 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 can support the student with veer simulation activities.
Traineeship applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment
- must have an active employer
- must be registered as a trainee and have an active Epsilon number prior to commencing the course.
- attend an interview
In addition, practical demonstration of skills on a building and construction site will/may be required for some units of competency, near the completion of the course. 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 can support the student with veer simulation activities.
Pathways from VU courses
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.
Pathways from other institutions
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.
Builders Academy Australia, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Builders Academy Australia, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Builders Academy Australia, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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.
Pathways to further study
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.
Available start dates:
- 28 January 2025
- 21 July 2025
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 13 March 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 January 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
