Certificate IV in Residential Drafting

Program Overview

Certificate IV in Residential Drafting

Course Overview

Progress your career as a draftsperson with this hands-on course. Learn specialized skills including how to produce drawings and use 3D modeling software. Gain knowledge of legislation and codes governing the building industry.

What Can I Do?

• Residential Draftsperson

Course Outcome:

CPP40121 Certificate IV in Residential Drafting

University Pathways

TAFE Queensland's partnerships with Australia's top universities means you may be credited for your time with us if you decide to upgrade your qualification. Alternatively, you can gain the Certificate IV and be applying for jobs in the building design and architecture industry after just six months or continue studying at TAFE Queensland to complete the Diploma of Building Design.

What You Will Study

To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in 10 units of competency, consisting of 7 core and 3 elective units.

Core Units

• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4102
  • UNIT NAME: Analyze building design drawings
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to read, interpret and analyze building design drawings for Class 1 and 10 buildings, as defined in the National Construction Code (NCC). It covers interpreting construction industry conventions for drawings and analyzing drawings for different projects to identify design and technical features.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4104
  • UNIT NAME: Apply compliance requirements to Class 1 and 10 building design documentation
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to interpret and apply relevant planning and building legislation for Class 1 and 10 building design projects. It includes investigating and interpreting planning and building legislation and approval requirements and National Construction Code (NCC) specifications for Class 1 and 10 buildings including deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) provisions.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4105
  • UNIT NAME: Prepare drawings for planning and building approval for Class 1 and 10 buildings
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to prepare drawings that comply with planning and building approval requirements for Class 1 and 10 buildings as defined by the National Construction Code (NCC). It includes planning methods and processes for producing required documentation and checking drawings to confirm quality and consistency against technical expert documentation.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4107
  • UNIT NAME: Investigate construction methods for Class 1 and 10 buildings
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to investigate construction methods for Class 1 and 10 buildings as defined in the National Construction Code (NCC). It includes determining the application, performance and interaction of contemporary construction methods against compliance with relevant legislation, the NCC and Australian Standards.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4101
  • UNIT NAME: Work effectively in a building design environment
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to work effectively as a drafter in a building design environment. This includes completing drafting activities to support the designer, working safely and collaboratively and managing documentation for future retrieval.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4103
  • UNIT NAME: Use CAD software to produce drawings for building design projects
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to produce drawings that conform to Australian Standards and drawing protocols for building design projects, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. It includes preparing building design drawings from instructions, sketches and drawings for building design projects.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4106
  • UNIT NAME: Investigate materials for construction of Class 1 and 10 buildings
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to investigate construction materials for Class 1 and 10 buildings, as defined in the National Construction Code (NCC). It includes determining the application and performance of commonly available construction materials and identifying suitable materials to comply with relevant sections of legislation, Australian Standards and the NCC.

Elective Units

• UNIT CODE: CPCWHS1001
  • UNIT NAME: Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
  • Unit description: This unit of competency specifies the mandatory work health and safety training required prior to undertaking construction work. The unit requires the person to demonstrate personal awareness and knowledge of health and safety legislative requirements in order to work safely and prevent injury or harm to self and others. It covers identifying and orally reporting common construction hazards, understanding basic risk control measures, and identifying procedures for responding to potential incidents and emergencies. It also covers correctly selecting and fitting common personal protective equipment (PPE) used for construction work.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4108
  • UNIT NAME: Draw layout of required services for Class 1 and 10 buildings
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to draw the layout of services for Class 1 and 10 buildings, as defined by the National Construction Code (NCC). It includes reviewing project documentation, identifying the services required to comply with building regulations, codes and standards and drawing layouts for stormwater, sewerage, water supply, electrical and gas services.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4109
  • UNIT NAME: Research architectural styles and movements
  • Unit description: This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to research architectural styles and movements and identify and analyse how they influence design projects. It includes documenting findings and information as reference materials for use in design projects.
• UNIT CODE: CPPBDN4110
  • UNIT NAME: Set up BIM capable software and files for building design drafting projects
  • Unit description: This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to set up digital project files in building information modelling (BIM) capable industry standard building design drawing software for residential, commercial and industrial building design projects as defined in the National Construction Code (NCC). It covers installing BIM-capable design software and applying its functions and options to create, name and save project files and templates for different types of building design projects.

Ways to Study

• On campus
• Online
• International

Study Locations

• Greater Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Sunshine Coast

Campus Information

South Bank

• Study Mode: On campus with some online
• Start Date: 14 Jul 2025
• Duration: 6 months
• Workload: Full time 3 days per week
• What You'll Pay:
  • Concession: $2,640
  • Subsidised: $3,450
  • Full fee: $6,160

Coomera

• Study Mode: On campus with some online
• Start Date: 14 Jul 2025
• Duration: 6 months
• Workload: Full time 3 days per week
• What You'll Pay:
  • Concession: $2,640
  • Subsidised: $3,450
  • Full fee: $6,160

Nambour

• Study Mode: On Campus
• Start Date: 14 Jul 2025
• Duration: 6 months
• Workload: Full time 3 days per week
• What You'll Pay:
  • Concession: $2,640
  • Subsidised: $3,450
  • Full fee: $6,160

Online Virtual Classroom

• Study Mode: Online virtual classroom
• Start Date: 27 Jan 2026
• Duration: 1 year
• Workload: Part time up to 2x 6 hour Zoom sessions plus up to approx 10 hours of study per week
• What You'll Pay:
  • Concession: $580
  • Subsidised: $1,390
  • Full fee: $4,100

International Students

• Study Mode: On campus with some online
• Start Date: 14 Jul 2025
• Duration: 6 months
• Workload: Full time 3 days per week
• What You'll Pay:
  • International: $7,400

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Selection Criteria

• Domestic students:
  • Completed Year 12 (or equivalent) or have relevant experience and/or qualifications or are of mature age
  • Sound literacy and numeracy skills
  • Sound computer skills
• International students:
  • English Language Proficiency: Academic IELTS 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5) or equivalent
  • Academic Requirements: Completion of Year 12 (or equivalent)

Resources Required

• Access to a reliable internet connection
• Computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader
• CAD or gaming quality computer (Windows machines are ideal)
• Autodesk programs (Revit and AutoCad) can be downloaded for free as educational version
• Adobe programs and Sketchup are available on campus, but it is recommended that you purchase your own copies
• Portable external hard drive (no USBs)
• Building design resources

Important Information

• Greater Brisbane - on campus and online: All units of competency are delivered on campus with some online with the exception of CPCWHS1001.
• CPCWHS1001 can be completed on campus through TAFE Queensland SSCPC0029 General Construction Induction Training (GCIT) Skill Set.
• Students may also opt to undertake this unit via an alternative RTO in their local area and can seek a credit transfer upon successful completion.

Assessment Methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning.

University Pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

How to Apply

• Direct application: If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online.
• For International students: International students can either apply directly through our TAFE Queensland International Application portal, or through one of our education agents.