The Master of Building Services is a postgraduate engineering qualification designed to develop advanced technical expertise in the design, installation, commissioning, and management of the mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fire protection, and environmental control systems that make modern buildings function safely and efficiently. The course sits at the intersection of engineering and the built environment, covering systems such as HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), electrical distribution, lighting, lifts and vertical transportation, plumbing, fire suppression, and building automation and controls. Students learn how these complex systems are integrated into commercial, industrial, residential, and institutional buildings, as well as how to manage their performance across the building lifecycle. The qualification is firmly grounded in Australian standards, the National Construction Code (NCC), and sustainability frameworks such as Green Star and NABERS.

This degree is primarily designed for graduates with a background in mechanical or electrical engineering who wish to specialise in the built environment sector, or for built environment professionals — including architects, construction managers, and building surveyors — seeking a deeper understanding of technical building systems. It suits both recent engineering graduates looking to develop specialist skills and experienced industry practitioners seeking to advance into accredited professional roles. Graduates are typically employed by engineering consultancies, property developers, construction contractors, government agencies, facilities management firms, and infrastructure operators across Australia. Major employers include multidisciplinary engineering firms such as WSP, Arup, Jacobs, Aurecon, Stantec, and GHD, as well as specialist MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) consultancies, public-sector bodies, hospitals, universities, and large commercial property owners.

Most Australian universities offering this qualification require applicants to hold a relevant bachelor's degree in engineering — typically mechanical, electrical, or mechatronic engineering — with a minimum grade point average (usually equivalent to a Credit average or above, often expressed as a GPA of 5.0 on a 7.0 scale). Some programs accept graduates from cognate built environment disciplines such as architecture, construction management, or building surveying, particularly where the applicant can demonstrate technical aptitude or relevant industry experience. A small number of programs may also consider applicants with significant professional experience in lieu of a directly related degree, subject to assessment by the admissions committee. Credit for prior learning (RPL) is available at many institutions for applicants with substantial demonstrated industry experience.

International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency, typically through IELTS (minimum overall score of 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0) or equivalent tests such as TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic. Some programs require a higher IELTS score of 7.0, particularly for programs with significant written research or thesis components. Work experience, while not always mandatory, is highly valued — programs that cater to practising engineers often require at least one to two years of relevant professional experience. Applicants may also be required to submit a personal statement or statement of purpose explaining their interest in building services and their intended professional goals, and in some cases a curriculum vitae is requested to support the application.