Course Code: RII50520 | CRICOS Code: 117855C

Diploma of Civil Construction Design

Course Duration: 78 weeks | Campus: Melbourne

The Diploma of Civil Construction Design (RII50520) is your direct pathway to a rewarding career as a civil construction designer or a design paraprofessional. This nationally recognised qualification is designed for those who want to play a key role in the country’s booming infrastructure sector.

What You Will Learn

This diploma emphasises hands-on learning, critical thinking, and autonomy. You will gain the skills and knowledge to:

  • Develop Work Designs: Learn to create site-specific work designs for projects like roads, bridges, drainage systems, and subdivisions.
  • Master Key Skills: The curriculum covers essential areas such as road design, structural analysis, project cost estimation, and safety compliance.
  • Use Industry-Standard Tools: Become proficient with CAD tools and other industry-relevant software in a practical learning environment.
  • Manage Projects: Apply your technical knowledge and judgment to plan and manage projects with a high degree of independence.

This course is ideal for individuals looking to start a new career, upgrade their current qualification, or transition into the civil construction field. It equips you with the tools to take on a role that offers significant responsibility and a clear path for professional growth.

There are a total of 20 elective units. Some of the units of this course are listed below:

Elective Units

  • BSBWHS616 Apply safe design principles to control WHS risks
  • BSBTWK502 Manage team effectiveness
  • RIIQUA601E Establish and maintain a quality system
  • RIICWD601E Manage civil works design process
  • BSBSTR601 Manage innovation and continuous improvement
  • RIICWD533E Prepare detailed design of civil concrete structures
  • RIICWD535E Prepare detailed design of civil timber structures
  • RIILAT402E Provide leadership in the supervision of diverse work teams
  • MEM30033A Use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and display 3D models
  • RIICWD507D Prepare detailed geotechnical design
  • RIICWD526E Prepare detailed traffic analysis
  • MEM23004A Apply technical mathematics
  • MEM30012A Apply mathematical techniques in a manufacturing engineering or related environment
  • MEM30006A Calculate stresses in simple structures
  • RIICWD511E Prepare detailed design of sub-divisions
  • RIICWD501E Prepare detailed design of foundations
  • RIICWD534E Prepare detailed design of civil steel structures
  • RIICWD509E Prepare detailed design of urban roads
  • MEM30032A Produce basic engineering drawings
  • MEM30031A Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing

General Entry Requirements

All applicants seeking to enrol at the NeXgen Institute of Australia (NIA) must meet the following minimum entry requirements:

  • Age Requirement:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of course commencement.

  • Academic Requirements:

For Certificate III and Certificate IV courses: Completion of equivalent to Australian Year 10 qualification.

English Language Proficiency (International Students)

International students must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:

  • IELTS: Minimum overall band score of 6.0 (test results must be no more than 2 years old).
  • Education in English: Evidence of at least 5 years of study in an English-speaking country.
  • Previous Study in Australia: Completion of a Certificate III or higher qualification at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) within the last 2 years.
  • Other English Language Tests: Equivalent scores in recognised tests such as PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge English. Results must also be within 2 years from the test date.

To verify equivalency to an IELTS score of 6.0, use the comparison tools provided at: Compare IELTS Scores

Numeracy Skills Requirement

Applicants must also satisfy the course-specific numeracy requirements, which may be assessed through:

  • A language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) test conducted by NIA, or
  • Equivalent qualification or experience demonstrating sufficient numeracy competence.

Course-specific Requirements

Some courses may have additional requirements, such as:

  • Physical capacity to complete tasks specific to the industry (e.g. for cookery, healthcare, or construction courses).
  • Portfolio submission, interview assessment, or prior program completion may be required for selected courses or specific qualifications.
  • Offshore Student Tuition Fee: $AU 16,500.00 (This fee excludes the material and enrolment fees)

Graduates may pursue roles such as:

  • Civil Engineering Draftsperson
  • Civil Engineering Design Draftsperson
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Site Supervisor
  • Engineering Associate

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It’s a nationally recognised qualification that teaches design, drafting, and planning of civil construction projects like roads, bridges, and drainage systems.

Yes, this qualification is aligned with occupations on the skilled migration list, potentially supporting PR pathways for eligible international students.

The course duration is typically 1.5 to 2 years and is delivered at NeXgen Institute’s Melbourne campus with blended learning options.

You must have completed Year 12 or equivalent, meet English language requirements (e.g., IELTS 5.5 or equivalent), and hold a valid student visa.

Graduates can pursue roles such as Civil Construction Designer, Site Supervisor, Engineering Associate, or Draftsperson.

Yes, including assessment activities based on real projects, CAD training, and structural requirements planning to match client’s site requirements.

Assessments include written tasks, design projects, practical simulations, and presentations based on civil construction scenarios.

Fees vary by student type. Flexible payment plans are available; please contact our admissions team for the latest fee structure.

Apply online or speak with our admissions team to complete your enrolment. Upon completion, you’ll receive a statement of attainment for eligible units.

nationally recognised training
australian qualifications framework

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