HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate II
Certificate II · national qualification
Certificate II in Civil Construction
This is the entry-level certificate for civil construction, the crews who build and maintain roads, drains, bridges, subdivisions and other public infrastructure.
- How long it takes
- 1 year
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $880
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $6,890
- How you can study
- On campus or on the job
- Taught by
- 20 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate II in Civil Construction asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in building and fixing public infrastructure
- a willingness to work outdoors in all kinds of weather
- good teamwork skills and the ability to follow instructions
- an interest in learning practical skills on a worksite
Before you start
The qualification has no set entry requirements, but each provider can add its own.
Certificate II or Certificate III?
The Certificate III in Civil Construction is the higher level. This Certificate II reflects operational work under supervision, using limited practical skills and fundamental knowledge in a defined context.
See the courseWhere this course can take you
The study that can follow this course.
If you study further
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
Leads to work as a, median pay $195,100.
Bachelor of Construction Management
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $880
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$6,890
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $880 | $160 | $6,890 | 1 year |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $880
- Concession
- $160
- Full fee
- $6,890
- How long
- 1 year
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 20 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
Ballina Campus, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 1 year
- Fee
- From $880 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
3 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Website for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
5 campuses, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
- Website for Federation University Australia (opens in a new tab)
Federation University Australia
23 campuses, NSW, VIC
4.2from 562 Google reviews
What students like
- Teaching and resources are high quality
- Friendships and classmates make study memorable
What to weigh up
- Admissions can be slow
- Poor communication with students
- Learning support can be slow to follow through
- Website for North Metropolitan TAFE (opens in a new tab)
North Metropolitan TAFE
16 campuses, WA
4.1from 903 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are helpful and knowledgeable
- Courses provide strong practical skills
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Certificate II in Civil Construction.
- Site safety and hazards
- Hand and power tools
- Reading site plans
- Concreting and trenching
- Traffic control basics
- Working in a crew
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It prepares you for operational work in civil construction, building and maintaining roads, drains, bridges and subdivisions. You work under supervision, using hand and power tools, reading basic plans and doing tasks such as concreting, trenching and traffic control. It leads to roles like Backhoe Operator, Civil Construction Labourer or Excavator Operator.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
The qualification itself has no entry requirements. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
Licensing, legislative and certification requirements vary between states, territories and industry sectors, so you should check with the relevant body before you enrol.
How is it different from the Certificate III in Civil Construction?
The Certificate III in Civil Construction is the higher level. This Certificate II reflects operational work under supervision, using limited practical skills and fundamental knowledge in a defined context.