HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate IV
Certificate IV · national qualification
Certificate IV in Building and Construction
This qualification prepares people to work as builders, site supervisors and site managers on houses, small residential projects and lower-risk commercial buildings.
- How long it takes
- 1 to 2 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,300
- Subsidised at GOTAFE, full fee up to $15,075
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Main job
- Site Supervisor
- $85,800 (estimate) median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 34 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate IV in Building and Construction asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how buildings go together
- good communication skills for working with crews
- care with safety on a building site
- an interest in plans, codes and contracts
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Site Supervisor
Site supervisors run the day-to-day on a construction site, keeping trades, deliveries and safety checks in the right order so the job stays on programme.
What else you need
Site supervisor and builder licensing differs by state, so check with your state licensing authority. The certificate alone does not confer a licence.
Median pay$85,800 (estimate)
In demand
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. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $2,300
at GOTAFE. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$8,550 to $15,075
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,440 | $240 | $13,180 | 1 to 2 years |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $4,817 | $964 | $15,075 | |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $2,300 | $460 | $12,098 | |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $4,899 | $980 | $13,419 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,148 | $628 | $11,336 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $8,550 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,440
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $13,180
- How long
- 1 to 2 years
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,817
- Concession
- $964
- Full fee
- $15,075
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $2,300
- Concession
- $460
- Full fee
- $12,098
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,899
- Concession
- $980
- Full fee
- $13,419
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,148
- Concession
- $628
- Full fee
- $11,336
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Full fee
- $8,550
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 34 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.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
7 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- How long
- 1 to 2 years
- Fee
- From $2,440 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 Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
- 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
30 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
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 Box Hill Institute (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
4 campuses, VIC
3.0from 372 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are friendly and supportive
- Course content is practical and relevant
What to weigh up
- Admin replies can be slow
- Course organisation can be inconsistent
What you’ll learn
19 units: 11 that everyone takes and 8 you choose.
- Reading and interpreting plans
- Applying building codes and standards
- Structural principles for buildings
- Work health and safety on site
- Contracts and legal requirements
- Planning and supervising site work
See all 11 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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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 to work as a builder, site supervisor or site manager on houses, small residential projects and lower-risk commercial buildings. You will learn to plan jobs, read plans, set out the site and supervise the crew. It suits someone already working in construction who wants to move into supervising or running their own building business.
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?
General construction induction training is required before you work on site. Licensing for builders and supervisors varies by state and territory.