Does this give me a builder's licence?

No. Building licences are issued by state and territory authorities, and requirements differ by jurisdiction. This qualification is commonly a component of the application, which is why the Builder occupational outcome and its Group A electives matter - check your state authority before enrolling.

Building or Site Management - what is the difference?

The electives. Both share eleven core units. The Builder outcome requires all Group A elective units; Site Management uses a different combination. They lead to different roles and different licensing consequences.

What buildings does it cover?

Class 1 and 10 to a maximum of two storeys, and Class 2 to 9 Type C constructions. That scope is written into two of the core units, and it is the limit of what the qualification prepares you for.

Do I need a trade qualification first?

Not as a register requirement - entry requirements are recorded as none. In practice most candidates come from a trade, and some state licensing schemes require trade experience separately.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register.

CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction

About this qualification

CPC40120 is the qualification behind a builder's licence application in most jurisdictions. The register describes “builders, site managers and managers of small to medium-sized building businesses” who apply structural principles, codes, standards and legal requirements, plan and supervise safe work, prepare and administer contracts, and apply quality principles.

Nineteen units: eleven core and eight electives. The core is specific about scope — Class 1 and 10 buildings to a maximum of two storeys, plus Class 2 to 9 Type C constructions. That is the boundary of what this qualification prepares you to build, and it is written into two separate core units.

The occupational outcome depends entirely on the electives. To be awarded with the Builder outcome you must take all Group A elective units. Take a different combination and you have the Site Management outcome instead. Same code, different job.

Ask any provider which outcome their programme delivers before you enrol — if you are heading for a builder's licence, the Group A units are not optional.

Roles it maps to

Roles described on the national register for CPC40120.

Builder Site Manager Building Supervisor Small Building Business Manager

Where it sits

Where CPC40120 sits in the construction package.

Certificate IICPC20220 Construction Pathways
Certificate IIICPC30220 Carpentry
Certificate IV · you are hereCPC40120 Building and Construction
DiplomaBSB51319 Work Health and Safety

What it covers

11Core units

8Elective units

Nineteen units in total: eleven core plus eight electives. For the Builder outcome the electives must include all Group A units, plus up to two from Group B or the general electives.

Eleven core units, required for both outcomes:

CPCCBC4001 Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 1 and 10 buildings
CPCCBC4002 Manage work health and safety in the building and construction workplace
CPCCBC4007 Plan building and construction work
CPCCBC4008 Supervise site communication and administration processes for building and construction projects
CPCCBC4009 Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects
CPCCBC4010 Apply structural principles to residential and commercial constructions
CPCCBC4012 Read and interpret plans and specifications
CPCCBC4014 Prepare simple building sketches and drawings
CPCCBC4018 Apply site surveys and set-out procedures to building and construction projects
CPCCBC4021 Minimise waste on the building and construction site
CPCCBC4053 Apply building codes and standards to the construction process for Class 2 to 9 Type C buildings

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Does this give me a builder's licence?: No. Building licences are issued by state and territory authorities, and requirements differ by jurisdiction. This qualification is commonly a component of the application, which is why the Builder occupational outcome and its Group A electives matter — check your state authority before enrolling.
Building or Site Management — what is the difference?: The electives. Both share eleven core units. The Builder outcome requires all Group A elective units; Site Management uses a different combination. They lead to different roles and different licensing consequences.
What buildings does it cover?: Class 1 and 10 to a maximum of two storeys, and Class 2 to 9 Type C constructions. That scope is written into two of the core units, and it is the limit of what the qualification prepares you for.
Do I need a trade qualification first?: Not as a register requirement — entry requirements are recorded as none. In practice most candidates come from a trade, and some state licensing schemes require trade experience separately.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register.

Specialisations

CPC40120 leads to one of two occupational outcomes, decided by the eight electives. If a builder's licence is the goal, the distinction is the whole point.

Building

Certificate IV in Building and Construction — Builder outcome

The eleven core units plus all Group A elective units, with up to two more from Group B or the general electives.

This is the outcome usually required for a builder's licence application. Confirm with your state building authority.
Site Management

Certificate IV in Building and Construction — Site Management outcome

The same eleven core units with a different elective combination, aimed at supervising sites rather than contracting as a builder.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · National
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
QLD

Halo Nation TrainingRTO 32485

Deliver and assess · National
WA

WA Dept of Training and Workforce DevelopmentRTO 52395

Deliver and assess · WA
QLD

National SkillsRTO 45438

Deliver and assess · National
VIC

The Management EdgeRTO 3927

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

AshtrailRTO 6139

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Open CollegesRTO 90796

Deliver and assess · National
TAS

Reach Community CollegeRTO 40747

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Maxwells ServicesRTO 90924

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

PM2RTO 41304

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 238 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

More in Construction

Other qualifications in the CPC training package, nearest level first.

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Certificate IV in Building and Construction

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