Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
Duration:
10 weeks full time
Delivery mode:
Face to Face
Location: 
Industry
Sunshine
Werribee
Other
Study off-campus:
Available for Industry.
Contact VU Polytechnic for more information
Application due dates:
For information on the next course start date, request a call back.
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Overview

Develop the skills needed to begin an apprenticeship in civil construction, with the Certificate II in Civil Construction RII20720 pre-apprenticeship course at Victoria University Polytechnic.

You will develop practical skills in the following areas:

  • identifying, locating and protecting underground services
  • measurements and calculations
  • manual excavation
  • levelling
  • reading and interpreting plans and specifications
  • traffic control and management
  • prioritising work
  • effective communication
  • work safety.

You will also learn how to safely use and maintain tools and equipment used in civil construction, including:

  • hand and power tools
  • small plant and equipment
  • concreting materials and equipment.

On completion, you’ll have a broad understanding of the industry along with the skills and knowledge to work as an apprentice or undertake further study.

You will have access to state-of-the-art simulators and machines at our Werribee Campus (Werribee East). As part of your course, you will undertake 150+ hours of operating machinery, including our eight-tonne wheeled front end loader, in a controlled environment. Learning with us means you’ll get the hands-on training to operate equipment safely and be job-ready when you graduate.

Industry partners are also co-located at Werribee East, allowing for closer industry contact during your training.

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.

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.

Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.

You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:

  • databases
  • e-learning content for courses
  • student email
  • student software packages
  • social networking tools.

On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:

As part of Victoria University, Victoria University Polytechnic believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. Studying with us means you’ll be learning in an environment that values community empowerment.

Victoria University received the highest rating of five stars for cultural diversity by the Good Universities Guide. Our students feel fortunate to learn in a setting that has such a rich representation of cultures.

VU also works to address refugee issues, tackle diversity and social inclusion issues and improve the health and social wellbeing of the region. We are proud of our cultural diversity initiatives and projects with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities.

TAFE resources

Do you need help applying for a pre-apprenticeship? Attend an application support session to be guided through your pre-apprenticeship application at VU Polytechnic.

Careers

Construction and engineering are some of the largest employment industries in Australia. This pre-apprenticeship program is designed to give you industry skills so you can start a career in civil construction. Employers prefer apprentice applicants that have undertaken a pre-apprenticeship.

Possible career opportunities emerging from the completion of RII20720 Certificate II in Civil Construction include:

  • civil construction apprentice in a broad range of work situations
  • construction labourer
  • civil construction general hand.

Nationally recognised training

This course is nationally recognised training.

Course structure

To be awarded the RII20720 Certificate II in Civil Construction, 16 units must be completed consisting of:
- 10 core units
- 6 elective units, of which
- at least 5 must be chosen from elective units listed in the qualification
- no more than 1 may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.

Note: Student attending Sunshine campus as their primary location will attend Werribee East for the units RIICCM206E and RIIWHS202E to ensure the simulated environment and required facilities and equipment are met for these units of competency.

VET Delivered to Secondary Schools (VDSS) - VCAA Approved VCE VET Civil Infrastructure Program Structure
The approved VCE VET Civil Infrastructure program has additional requirements beyond those of the qualification. Units of competency forming the electives listed in the qualification have been omitted from the VCE VET program due to their high risk or licensing requirements. Additional compulsory units of competency have been included to support the employability of students who complete the program. An imported elective has also been included.
- 10 core units plus (Units 1-4)
- Minimum of 6 electives with a minimum of 90 hours
- to be chosen from the VCE VET Civil Infrastructure Program.

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).

Standard course structure

Core units

Elective units

Elective imported

Continuing students only (commenced prior to 2024)

Elective Unit

Elective imported

VET Delivered to Secondary School delivery - commencement from 2025

Year 1

Year 2

VET Delivered to Secondary School delivery - commencement 2024

Year 1

Year 2

This qualification reflects the role of individuals working in an operational role in civil construction, who undertake a prescribed range of tasks using limited practical skills and fundamental knowledge, in a defined context working under supervision.

Fees & scholarships

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:

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Skills First (subsidised) indicative fees

The Skills First government contribution in 2024 is $3,646.50. If eligible, you will pay:

  • Tuition: $1,170*
  • Materials: $311
  • Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF): maximum per year $175.50**

*A concession rate of 20% of the standard Skills First subsidised tuition fee is available if you are eligible for a concession. Learn more about concessions.

**May be subject to change.

Full-fee place total indicative fees

  • 2024 full-fee place: $5,460.

 

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

Applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
VDSS applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR).
The suitability, literacy and numeracy levels of applicants will be assessed through consultation with the relevant secondary school.

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.

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.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

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.

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Trades courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

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Get help

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.