The Diploma of Building (Surveying) — most commonly delivered in Australia as the Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (CPC60121) — is a nationally recognised vocational qualification that trains students to become professional building surveyors and certifiers. The course equips graduates with expert knowledge of compliance requirements, regulations, and laws governing the construction of residential and commercial buildings, enabling them to assess design documentation, conduct inspections, issue building permits, and advise on performance-based solutions. Building surveyors play a vital role in the growing construction industry's ability to improve functionality and safety in our built environment, working across all classes of buildings as defined in the National Construction Code (NCC). The course is designed for those who wish to enter or advance within the building surveying profession, covering everything from planning and building applications to construction inspections, surveying audits, and statutory advisory services. Australia is experiencing a shortage of building surveyors across all states and territories, making this qualification one of the most strategically important in the construction and architecture sector.

Graduates of a Diploma of Building (Surveying) are qualified to work across a diverse range of employers, including local councils, state and territory government building authorities, private certification bodies, construction companies, architecture and engineering consultancies, and property development firms. The qualification is the minimum required for national appointment as a Building Surveyor (Limited) as defined by the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS), the peak professional body for the field. It is recognised by all relevant state and territory government authorities for the purposes of registration, accreditation, or licensing as a Building Surveyor or Certifier, giving graduates a clear and nationally portable pathway into professional practice.

Entry requirements for the Diploma of Building (Surveying) vary between registered training organisations (RTOs) and higher education providers. At the vocational level, most providers delivering the Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (CPC60121) require applicants to have successfully completed Year 12 (VCE or equivalent) or to be of mature age, though some RTOs list no formal academic prerequisites and instead conduct a pre-training suitability review to assess language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) skills. As an AQF Level 6 qualification, all students are expected to demonstrate a good command of written and spoken English, sound literacy and numeracy abilities, and basic computer skills. Many providers — particularly those offering workplace-based or blended delivery — require students to be currently working in the building and construction industry and to have access to a building surveyor as an industry mentor, as the course requires conducting live site inspections at various stages of construction. Some providers specify a minimum of five years' industry experience at a supervisory level for direct entry, while others accept those who are new to the sector.

For postgraduate Graduate Diploma programs in Building Surveying, applicants are generally required to hold a completed Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline such as building surveying, construction management, architecture, quantity surveying, or civil and structural engineering. Some programs also accept the completion of an Advanced Diploma in Building Surveying combined with a minimum of two years' full-time equivalent professional experience in the building certification industry. International students must provide evidence of English language proficiency, typically through an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or above (or equivalent). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is widely available across all providers, enabling experienced industry professionals — including builders, site managers, and certifiers — to have their existing skills formally assessed and credited, potentially reducing the duration of their study significantly.