22627VIC Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
Follow your love of design into a successful career with an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural). Learn how to combine freehand drawing with computer-aided design (CAD) to support building projects and respond to client briefs.
Course essentials
Qualification Code
Entry requirements
Fees
Duration
Locations
Course overview
Develop new skills and knowledge for a career as an architectural draftsperson or building designer. This qualification has been developed with the building and construction industry to fulfil the knowledge requirements of registration as a Building Designer (Architectural) with the Victorian Building Association (VBA). Students seeking accreditation must also provide evidence of at least 2 years relevant practical experience which can be gained before, while undertaking study, or after completing the course.
This course has been designed to meet specific architectural drafting needs in architectural firms and building and construction companies. On completion, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to design and develop architectural working drawings for the construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
Perfect for beginners or those looking to upskill, this course is designed to provide you with project-based learning opportunities so you can put what you’re learning into practice, applying your broad-reaching skills to produce industry standard documentation.
In addition, you’ll get familiar with a professional suite of design software products such as Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, and Graphisoft ArchiCAD for precise 2D and 3D drafting, design, plans and more.
Course specifics
The advanced diploma of building design (architectural) covers:
• construction technologies
• preparing design documentation
• digital design
• digital integration into architectural workflows
• project legislation
• undertaking complex architectural projects
• preparing working drawings
• bushfire assessments
Course delivery
You asked, and we listened. We now offer our Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) with flexibility, so you find the right balance between your studies, work, family and other commitments.
You can choose to study full or part-time, with a combination of classes on-campus at our SMB Campus and online (via Microsoft Teams). We incorporate the latest digital technology to complement our training methods so – if you choose to study online –you will require access to the internet and a computer capable of running computer-aided design (CAD) software. Our online learning system enables you to study in a safe, guided and fully supported manner with the same access to all learning, personal and wellbeing supports.
Licensing information
On completion of this course and subject to further requirements you can apply for Building practitioner registration with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Please review the VBA website for further information.
Please contact buildingconstruction@federation.edu.au for additional information
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Federation TAFE
Career paths
- Career Opportunities
Registration as an independent Building Designer (where your name/business is registered as the official designer), Draftsperson (Building Design or Architectural studio, Engineering Firms, Builders), Sustainability consultant, 3D visualiser (creating photorealistic images and video), Freelance drafting consultant/contractor.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
2026 indicative fees
The fees you pay will depend on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program. The indicative fees displayed below are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment.
Fees are subject to change annually.
| Concession Government Subsidised Place | Standard Government Subsidised Place | Full Fee Place (Not eligible for government subsidy) |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | $18,148 | $33,793 |
Fee assistance
If you’re eligible for a VET Student Loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your tuition fee up to a maximum of $19,290. You won’t have to start paying the loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Material fees
This covers things like tools, stationery, uniforms, textbooks, excursions and so on. Expect the cost to be around $73.
Other study costs
Material cost $100 – this will be confirmed when enrolling
Other important information
If you need help managing your fee payments, you might be eligible for a direct debit payment plan. Students doing certificate-level TAFE courses can access payment plans for both tuition and materials fees. Diploma and advanced diploma students can access payment plans for materials fees only.
If you’re accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program, doing this course might affect your ability to access future government-subsidised training.
If you’re eligible to enrol in a course under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, the tuition would be free but you’d still have to pay the materials fee (if applicable).
Find out more about fees, payments and refunds.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
Locations
SMB (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
Contact hours
This course is delivered both full time and part time. Students will need to attend On Campus (SMB) a minimum of 2 days per term for workshops, with online attendance available for the remainder of classes. Full-time students will complete approximately 21 hours per week of classes. Classes and workshops are held face-to-face on campus and some classes can be accessed remotely (via MS teams). Workshops are held at the start of each term.
Additional study time is required to complete assessments, classroom readings and activities. We recommend that 10-20 hours per week be put aside for these activities.
Sample course structure
This is a list of units available in this course. Which units you enrol in will depend on the course and stream available.
- Research and develop business plansBSBESB401
- Apply project risk management techniquesBSBPMG426
- Prepare to work safely in the construction industryCPCWHS1001
- Undertake site survey and analysis to inform design processVU23441
- Apply structural and construction technology to the design of residential buildingsVU23442
- Apply structural and construction technology to the design of commercial buildingsVU23443
- Comply with relevant legislation in the design of residential buildingsVU23444
- Comply with relevant legislation in the design of commercial buildingsVU23445
- Design safe buildingsVU23446
- Design sustainable buildingsVU23447
- Integrate services layout into design documentationVU23448
- Produce preliminary and working drawings for residential buildingsVU23449
- Produce preliminary and working drawings for commercial buildingsVU23450
- Select construction materials for building projectsVU23451
- Provide design solutions for residential buildingsVU23452
- Provide design solutions for commercial buildingsVU23453
- Integrate digital applications into residential architectural workflowsVU23454
- Integrate digital applications into commercial architectural workflowsVU23455
- Present architectural designsVU23456
- Manage architectural project administrationVU23457
- Undertake complex architectural projectsVU23458
- Conduct, interpret and apply a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessmentVU23459
Entry requirements
Students undertaking training for the Construction Induction Card will be registered and have their card issued by WorkSafe Victoria. As specified by the Work Health and Safety (Construction Work) Code of Practice 2015, the Construction Induction Card is required before entering a construction work site. On the day of training for CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry the identity of each student must be verified you will need to provide proof of identity that includes the student’s full name, address and photo.
How you apply will depend on your current situation. Visit our how to apply page for options and instructions.
After you submit your application, we’ll get you to do an online literacy and numeracy review to help us understand where you’re at (and if the course you’re applying for is a good fit). We’ll give you feedback and offer you support if needed.
For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the VET Information Guide.
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- LCS
- National course code
- 22627VIC