INTERNATIONAL

Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)

CRICOS Code: 104666D
National Code: CPC40120

2025 2026

Description

Become a professional builder or construction manager in the low-rise sector with this Certificate IV from TAFE SA. This nationally recognised qualification is a core requirement, along with trade experience, for getting your South Australian Building Work Supervisor Registration. The builder is the person at the heart of a build and takes responsibility for all aspects of the job from planning to ensuring a successful outcome. The course covers finances, planning and estimating, contracts and schedules, legal requirements, OHS compliance, structural principles, and key aspects of managing a small business. Building Work Supervisors make sure that all building work performed meets the required building standards. Supervisors must be registered and approved by Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Print Course Page

78 weeks

60 weeks

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Tonsley

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

20 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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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.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 11 or overseas equivalent .

Course Notes

Students will be required to hold a current White Card or obtain one in the first term of the course ($150). Currency must be maintained throughout your studies to enable access to live worksites where required.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $6906

Semester 2

AUD $6907

Semester 3

AUD $6907

Fee Totals

AUD $20720

Total Course Cost

AUD $20720

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

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

Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (CPC40120)
This qualification covers finances, building codes and standards, safety, contracts, schedules, materials, legal requirements, structural principles and interpreting plans. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 11 core units and 8 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

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	Subject Code	National Code
Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 1 and 10 Buildings	18	CACCD	CPCCBC4001
Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 2 to 9 Type C buildings	22	CACDB	CPCCBC4053
Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects	50	BACGW	CPCCBC4009
Apply site surveys and set-out procedures to building and construction projects	40	CACCP	CPCCBC4018
Apply structural principles to residential and commercial constructions	200	CACCK	CPCCBC4010
Manage work health and safety in the building and construction workplace	40	CACDE	CPCCBC4002
Minimise waste on the building and construction site	20	CACDG	CPCCBC4021
Plan building and construction work	40	CACDF	CPCCBC4007
Prepare simple building sketches and drawings	40	CACCN	CPCCBC4014
Read and interpret plans and specifications	30	CACCL	CPCCBC4012
Supervise site communication and administration processes for building and construction projects	40	CACCH	CPCCBC4008

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply project quality management techniques	40	FACZL	BSBPMG422
Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects	60	CACCF	CPCCBC4004
Manage finances for new business ventures	60	FADCX	BSBESB407
Produce labour and material schedules for ordering	40	CACCG	CPCCBC4005
Resolve business disputes	20	CACDH	CPCCBC4024
Select, prepare and administer a construction contract	50	CACCE	CPCCBC4003
Select, procure and store construction materials for building and construction projects	40	CACDK	CPCCBC4006
Use building science principles to construct energy efficient buildings	42	CACDL	CPCSUS4002

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.