Course description
Learn the fundamentals of good design as you utilise your creativity and love of design and construction to create your own (virtual) building design projects.
This course is highly regarded by industry. It provides the practical skills, knowledge and qualifications to work as a building designer. You will gain specialist design skills applicable to residential and commercial design within the building design sector in a project-based setting, reflective of real office practice. Importantly, our strong industry partnerships allow students to work on live projects and graduate work-ready.
Information sessions
5:30pm
H1.02
East Geelong
There are also opportunities to pursue further studies with pathways to university, where this course will provide you excellent grounding to take your studies further into Architecture and/or Building.
This is currently the only course prescribed in the Victorian Building Regulations for registration in the class of Building Design (Architectural).
Students are required to have their own laptop or desktop computer capable of running Revit software. Specifications can be found here.
Possible career outcomes
- building designers
- architectural assistants
- building design assistants
- architectural draftspersons
How to apply
- Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
- Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.
If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 February East Geelong Campus |
Open: 1 Aug 2024 Close: 1 Feb 2025 |
Class Day | Full Time Mon, Tues & Wed - 9am to 5pm | Apply |
| 2025 July East Geelong Campus |
Open: 1 Apr 2025 Close: 1 Jul 2025 |
Class Day | Full Time Mon, Tues & Wed - 9am to 5pm |
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.
Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.
Entrance requirements
- Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 4.
- You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Selection mode
Design skills and knowledge are desirable
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
In order to prepare for your LLN, you may wish to attempt some practise tests in which you will find similar questions (with solutions too). These practice tests are not VSL approved but may be similar in question type and level of difficulty to what may be asked in the VSL approved LLN. Click here for practice tests. Please note, the VSL approved LLN cannot be resat within 3 months of undertaking it.
Units & assessments
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Apply project risk management techniques | BSBPMG426 | 40 |
| Apply structural and construction technology to the design of commercial buildings | VU23443 | 120 |
| Apply structural and construction technology to the design of residential buildings | VU23442 | 180 |
| Comply with relevant legislation in the design of commercial buildings | VU23445 | 60 |
| Comply with relevant legislation in the design of residential buildings | VU23444 | 50 |
| Conduct, interpret and apply a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment | VU23459 | 50 |
| Design safe buildings | VU23446 | 40 |
| Design sustainable buildings | VU23447 | 90 |
| Integrate digital applications into commercial architectural workflows | VU23455 | 120 |
| Integrate digital applications into residential architectural workflows | VU23454 | 120 |
| Integrate services layout into design documentation | VU23448 | 40 |
| Manage architectural project administration | VU23457 | 60 |
| Prepare to work safely in the construction industry | CPCWHS1001 | 6 |
| Present architectural designs | VU23456 | 120 |
| Produce preliminary and working drawings for commercial buildings | VU23450 | 180 |
| Produce preliminary and working drawings for residential buildings | VU23449 | 180 |
| Provide design solutions for commercial buildings | VU23453 | 100 |
| Provide design solutions for residential buildings | VU23452 | 100 |
| Research and develop business plans | BSBESB401 | 50 |
| Select construction materials for building projects | VU23451 | 60 |
| Undertake complex architectural projects | VU23458 | 280 |
| Undertake site survey and analysis to inform design process | VU23441 | 40 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Questioning
- Observations and practical demonstrations
- Portfolio (work samples)
- Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Fees
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tuition | AUD $7.00 | per hour | 2086 | AUD $14,602.00 | AUD $15,645.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $14.30 | per hour | 2086 | AUD $29,830.00 |
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Levy | AUD $312.90 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Resource Fee | AUD $60.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Materials | AUD $140.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Licence | AUD $175.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Printing cost | AUD $378.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Excursions Fee | AUD $200.00 | Once per year | charged at enrolment | ||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
VET Student Loan
VET Student Loans are available for eligible students for tuition fees ONLY.
The current years maximum VET Student Loan Course Cap is $18097
To be eligible to apply for a VET Student Loan, applicants will be required to:
- undertake an independent assessment test to ensure they possess Level 3 in reading and numeracy, or
- provide their Year 12 certificate, or
- provide evidence of completion of a Certificate IV or above.
Further study options
- Bachelor of Architecture at Deakin University
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.