How to become a building surveyor: qualifications & career paths

Building surveyors make sure buildings are safe to use, accessible and energy efficient. They provide independent oversight of building work from the planning stage right through to completion. Depending on where you work, a typical week might involve: 

• assessing building plans against building codes, regulations and Australian standards 

• issuing building permits so construction can go ahead 

• inspecting building work at key stages of construction 

• issuing occupancy permits once a building is safe to use 

• enforcing standards through directions to fix, building notices and building orders when work isn’t up to scratch 

• working with builders, architects, engineers and councils to solve compliance problems. 

The variety is huge. One day you might issue a permit for a backyard shed; the next, you could be inspecting a hospital or a high-rise apartment tower. 

Building inspectors carry out inspections of building work on behalf of the relevant building surveyor. Building surveyors have broader responsibilities, including issuing building permits and occupancy permits. Many people work as a building inspector or assistant building surveyor on their way to becoming a registered building surveyor. 

Despite the name, building surveying isn’t about measuring land – that’s the job of a land surveyor. 

Yes – and the pipeline of work is huge. Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2026 Occupation Shortage List rates building surveyors as being in national shortage. Victoria’s building regulator describes the shortage as critical, affecting both councils and the wider construction industry. 

Housing targets are adding to the pressure. Under the National Housing Accord, governments have agreed to build 1.2 million new homes over five years from July 2024. Victoria is also aiming for 800,000 homes over the next decade. Every one of those homes needs a building surveyor to sign it off. 

There’s no single personality type that suits building surveying. But if these traits sound like you, you’ll likely thrive in the profession.

If you’re still at school, you might notice some of these traits in maths, design and technology, or group projects. If you already work in construction, a trade, architecture or engineering, your site knowledge and skills will translate directly. 

To work as a building surveyor in Australia, you need two things: 

1. A recognised building surveying qualification. Your qualification also shapes what you can work on. A degree gives you the broadest scope, while a diploma limits the class, height and size of buildings you can work on. 

2. Registration with your state or territory building regulator. In Victoria, that’s the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). The BPC now incorporates the former Victorian Building Authority (VBA), so you may still see the VBA mentioned in older resources. 

There are two classes of registration: 

The BPC wants to see relevant, practical experience gained under the supervision of a registered building surveyor, including: 

• assisting with building permit, occupancy permit and temporary occupation applications 

• carrying out construction inspections for residential and commercial buildings 

• identifying and reporting non-compliant building work 

• preparing directions to fix, building notices and building orders. 

For unlimited registration, your experience must also cover buildings over three storeys and buildings with a floor area of more than 2,000 square metres. 

When you apply, you’ll need to submit the following documents, unless you hold an AIBS or RICS accreditation that matches the class you’re applying for: 

• a technical referee report from a registered building surveyor in the same class or higher 

• an experience statement 

• an experience logbook 

• an evidence portfolio. 

The BPC may also invite you to an assessment interview. 

Hot tip: start filling in your experience logbook as soon as you begin gaining experience. The BPC recommends it, and it’ll save you time when you apply. 

The Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) is Australia’s national peak body for building surveyors. AIBS accreditation isn’t the same as registration, but in Victoria it can make registering a lot simpler. 

If your AIBS accreditation matches the class you’re applying for, you won’t need to submit a referee report, experience statement, logbook or evidence portfolio. Here’s how the levels line up: 

You can join the AIBS as a student member while you study and access professional development, networking and career support. 

Yes, but each state and territory has its own regulator and registration requirements. In New South Wales and Queensland, for example, building surveyors are known as building certifiers. They’re registered through NSW Fair Trading and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). 

Already registered in another Australian state or territory, or in New Zealand? You can apply for registration in Victoria under mutual recognition, though the BPC may add conditions. Many regulators also recognise AIBS accreditation, which can make moving interstate easier. 

If all that sounds like a lot, don’t worry. The right course gives you the knowledge you need, and many students start building their experience while they study. 

Study building surveying at VU, where you’ll get: 

• flexible online study: 100% online and in real time, with just nine scheduled hours of classes a week 

• the VU Block Model: go deep on every topic by focusing on one subject at a time in four-week blocks, instead of juggling several at once 

• teachers who work in the industry: current knowledge and real-world experience in every class 

• real-world projects: connect with industry partners like Hendry Group, McKenzie Group Consulting and several Melbourne councils through projects, guest speakers, site visits and industry expos 

• a final-year industry project: team up to tackle an applied project sourced from an industry partner 

• pathways with credit: step up from TAFE to uni without losing time. 

VU is also #1 in Victoria for skills development and #4 in Australia for graduate employer satisfaction, which means employers rate our graduates as ready to make an impact from day one.

It depends on your route. As a rough guide: 

• direct route: 3 years of full-time study, plus at least 3 years of experience for unlimited registration 

• TAFE to uni pathway: 4 years of full-time study. You can also work towards limited registration after the Advanced Diploma once you have 2 years of experience. 

• career-change route: 1 year of full-time study for graduates of related degrees, plus the experience you need for your registration class. 

The good news? You don’t have to wait until you graduate to start gaining experience. Building surveyors are in such high demand that, according to the AIBS, many students land paid roles while they study. That experience counts toward their AIBS accreditation. 

About to finish Year 12, already on the tools or ready for a career change? No matter where you're at, building surveying puts you at the heart of every project – and keeps the people who use those buildings safe. Start your building surveying career at VU. 

Apply now