HomeCoursesArchitecture and building designDiploma of Building Design
Diploma of Building Design
This diploma takes drafting skills further into design.
- Duration: 6 months to 1 year
- Study mode: Online, on campus and blended
- Course code: CPP50921
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 6 campuses
- Duration
- 6 months to 1 year
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
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TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 2 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- On campus with some online
- Full fee
- $19,995
- Eligible students: subsidised from $14,870, concession $13,335
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Campuses
- 26 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
North Metropolitan TAFE
- Campuses
- Perth
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- On campus
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, with some students finding the organisation and admin frustrating and a number unhappy with the course content.
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
South Regional TAFE
- Campuses
- Bunbury
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Blended
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
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TAFE International Western Australia
- Campuses
- TAFE International Western Australia
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Many students value the student support they receive, though a number found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on communication.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
National Skills Pty Ltd
- Campuses
- National Skills Pty Ltd
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students rate the student support highly, many praise the organisation and admin, and many value the communication.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Entry points which demonstrate a candidate’s potential to undertake the CPP50921 Diploma of Building Design are: CPP40115 Certificate IV in Building Design Drafting, or CPP40121 Certificate IV in Residential Drafting, or 52757WA Certificate IV in Residential Building Drafting, or Demonstrated relevant vocational experience, skills and knowledge commensurate with the scope of work covered in the core units of CPP40121 Certificate IV in Residential Drafting.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
- Licensing requirements apply to building design in some states or territories. For further information, check with the relevant regulatory authority.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in how buildings are designed and put together
- the confidence to manage your own work without close supervision
- good drafting and drawing skills
- the ability to gather information from different sources and turn it into a design
What will you learn?
You learn to work from a brief, pull together information from several sources and turn it into drawings, specifications and documentation for a building project. Study covers new buildings and renovations across residential, commercial, public and industrial work, and you are expected to manage that work yourself rather than under close supervision. Building design is licensed in some states and territories, so check the rules where you plan to work.
- Building design and drafting
- Applying the NCC
- Preparing construction drawings
- Specifications and project documentation
- New builds and renovations
- Residential, commercial and industrial projects
Where this fits
Diploma of Building Design in architecture and building design: the study that leads into it, the study that follows, and other routes at the same level.
Before
Certificate IVCertificate IV in Building and ConstructionLook here if you want to supervise or run building work on houses and lower-risk commercial buildings, since the diploma focuses on design documentation rather than managing a crew.Certificate IVCertificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa BuildingChoose this if pools and spas are your interest, as it covers setting out, excavating and handing over a finished pool, which the design diploma does not.You are looking at
Diploma of Building Design
Other routes at the same level
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).