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QUALIFICATION

Diploma of Building Design


 National Code: CPP50921
 TAFE SA Code: TP01364Fee Free


2026 start

Description

A Diploma of Building Design from TAFE SA will equip you for an exciting position in a building design studio or architectural practice or with a residential or commercial developer/building group or even as a self-employed consultant. Learn about the OHS requirements, develop concepts for small-scale projects, produce designs and drawings, including accessible design and researching and recommending commercial materials, methods, and sustainability solutions.

Award Course
Duration
Example Career Profile
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18 months 

Full Time or Part Time equivalent

Building Designer
Building Designer
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Locations & Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Online

805004

Online Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Full & Part Time Full & Part Time Full & Part Time
 
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On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • Certificate IV in Building Design Drafting CPP40115
    • or
  • Certificate IV in Residential Building Drafting 52757WA
    • or
  • Certificate IV in Residential Drafting CPP40121
    • or
  • Demonstrated relevant vocational experience, skills and knowledge by working in the industry, commensurate with the scope of work covered in the core units of CPP40121 Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course

Please Read Before Applying

Entry Recommendations
TAFE SA will contact you if you do not have a relevant Certificate IV to verify your equivalent skills and knowledge and that you are currently working in the building industry.

Additional Uniforms, Equipment and Costs
You are able to use the TAFE SA facilities and computer suites or you may choose to buy relevant software such as:

  • a SketchUp one (1) year Student Licence for approximately $93.50
  • Microsoft Project Student Licence (Cloud Base) $14.00 per month
  • Free Autodesk Student Licence is available on course registration for Revit and AutoCAD.

Fees

Average cost per semester
Total Fees for the 18 month course
Subsidised
$2,169
$6,508
Concession
$1,555
$4,666
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LLN).
What is the LLN?

This course is part of the Fee Free TAFE initiative. Fee Free places are limited and eligibility criteria applies. If all Fee Free TAFE places are filled, you may be offered a subsidised place instead.

Fee Free Training Eligibility
Full Fee
$8,555
$25,665

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    VET Student Loan

    This is an interest-free personal loan from the Australian Government that provides eligible students access to capped funding to help pay for their studies.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Numerous career paths exist for building designers, including working for building design or architectural firms, consultancies, government departments, residential and commercial developers or self-employment.

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Diploma of Building Design (CPP50921)
    This course covers safety, materials, compliance, sustainability, design concepts, working and design drawings. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 9 core units and 3 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Determine compliance requirements for Class 2-9 buildings up to two storeys 80
    Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures 60
    Evaluate construction materials and methods for Class 2-9 buildings up to two storeys 100
    Manage contracts for small-scale building design projects 60
    Prepare drawings for planning and building approval for Class 2-9 buildings up to two storeys 260
    Prepare specifications for all construction works 20
    Produce compliant designs for Class 1 and 10 buildings 170
    Produce compliant designs for Class 2-9 buildings up to two storeys 170
    Produce digital 3-D models of building designs 60

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Design for all ages and abilities 108
    Produce rendered animations of 3-D models of small-scale building designs 50
    Recommend sustainability solutions for small-scale building design projects 90

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Diploma of Building Design
TP01364
︿
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