HomeCoursesSurveying and planningDiploma of Surveying
Diploma of Surveying
This diploma builds on the field and office skills of a surveying technician, taking them into precision measurement, setting out and the calculations behind large surveys.
- Duration: 1 year
- Study mode: On campus
- Course code: CPP50121
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 2 campuses
- Duration
- 1 year
- Study mode
- Combination
- 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.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
RMIT University
- Campuses
- 15 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often find organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some praise the facilities and campus and student support.
- 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
- East 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.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
South Regional TAFE
- Campuses
- Bunbury
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Classroom
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
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.
- Campuses
- Scientific Research Development Institute of Technology Australia
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Entry points to undertake the CPP50121 Diploma of Surveying are: CPP40216 Certificate IV in Surveying or CPP41721 Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (Surveying) or demonstrated relevant vocational experience, skills and knowledge commensurate with the scope of work covered in the CPP41721 Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (Surveying).
- 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.
- Cadastral surveying must be carried out under the supervision of a registered surveyor. Check with your state or territory regulatory authority to confirm the requirements.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in precise measurement and accurate records
- an enjoyment of both fieldwork and office based tasks
- good maths skills for calculations and computations
- patience and care when working with detailed plans
What will you learn?
You learn to run GNSS equipment and total stations in the field, then turn those measurements into maps and plans back in the office. The skills carry across town planning, civil construction, mining, engineering, agriculture and defence, though cadastral surveying must be done under a registered surveyor. It suits people who already hold a Certificate IV in surveying or who have comparable experience on the tools.
- GNSS surveys
- Engineering surveys
- Precision measurement and setting out
- Complex surveying computations
- Geodetic surveying
- Subsurface utility mapping
Units of competency (8 core, 8 elective)
The qualification is made up of 16 units. Everyone completes the 8 core units below, and the remaining 8 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Where this fits
Diploma of Surveying in surveying and planning: the study that leads into it, the study that follows, and other routes at the same level.
Before
Certificate IVCertificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information ServicesA Certificate IV gets you into entry level technician work assisting qualified staff, while the diploma takes you into running precision measurement and setting out on large surveys.Certificate IIICertificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information ServicesThe Certificate III prepares you as a surveying assistant doing basic fieldwork, drafting and map production, so it is a quicker way in if you are not ready for the diploma.You are looking at
Diploma of Surveying
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).