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.
Multi-million dollar trades facilities
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.
Hands-on learning & industry links
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.
Learning advice
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.
Course delivery information
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.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
-
Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
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.
Pathways
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:
- Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) (with up to 144 credit points of study)
- Bachelor of Building Surveying (with up to 120 credit points of study)
- Bachelor of Building Design (with up to 96 credit points of 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.
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
ELECTIVE UNITS
IMPORTED UNITS
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- Unit code
- CPCCBC4026
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.
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.
- 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
As part of the application process, applicants must:
complete a Pre-training Review (PTR)
undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission
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 Polytechnic can support the student with veer simulation activities.
Traineeship applicants only
In addition to the above requirements, trainee applicants must be:
- must have an active employer
- must be registered as a trainee and have an active Epsilon number prior to commencing the course.
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 120 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:
- 10 July 2023
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
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
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
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Contact VU Polytechnic
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.