How to Become a Building Designer in Queensland

Study

Your first step to becoming a Building Designer is studying. You've got a few options between TAFE and University, which will determine which licence class you can apply for once you've graduated.

TAFE

You can meet the education requirements for Low Rise or Medium Rise with TAFE Queensland's Diploma of Building Design.

University

You can meet the education requirements for Medium Rise with CQU's Associate Degree of Building Design.

If you want to meet the education requirements for an Open Licence, you'll need to complete CQU's Bachelor of Building Design or QUT's Bachelor of Design (Architecture)

 

Applying for a Licence via the QBCC

Once you've graduated from Uni or TAFE, you'll need to get to work gaining experience before applying for your own licence.

You need two years of experience working on projects within the scope of whichever licence class you'd like to apply for.

There are a couple of ways to do this - you can go and work for a builder or work under a licensed Building Designer.

Visit QBCC's website to learn more

Licence Classes

In Queensland, there are three levels of licences Building Designers can hold.

Low Rise Licence

A Low Rise licence allows you to work on single-storey detached residential or small commercial buildings.

  • Prepare plans and specifications for a class 1 or class 10 building.
  • Prepare plans and specifications for classes 2 to 9 buildings with a gross floor area of not more than 2000m², but not including Type A or Type B construction.
  • Contract administration in relation to building work designed by the licensee.
    Find out more via QBCC.

Medium Rise Licence

A Medium Rise licence allows you to work on multi-storey residential and commercial (up to 3-4 storeys depending on building type) buildings.

  • Prepare plans and specifications for buildings to a maximum of three storeys above a storey used for the parking of vehicles but not including a Type A construction other than class 2, 3, or 9 buildings.
  • Contract administration in relation to building work designed by the licensee.
    Find out more via QBCC.

Open Licence

An Open licence allows you to work on any residential or commercial building with any height or floor area.

  • Prepare plans and specifications for buildings of any height or floor area
  • Contract administration in relation to building work designed by the licensee.
    Find out more via QBCC.

Tips and Tricks

Apply for student membership of BDAQ! You'll get extra learning through online and in-person sessions, support from your industry & chances to showcase you newly learned skills!

Apply for Student Membership

Get work in the industry while you're studying.Your work will improve your learning experience and doubles as experience for when you apply for your licence!

Go to Job Board

Use your time working for licence experience to gain extra skills like CAD software (Revit/ArchiCAD) and general construction knowledge to supplement what you learned in the classroom.

Get yourself a mentor! BDAQ has a mentorship program to match students/graduates with experienced Building Designers who can help answer any questions you might have about getting into the industry.

Go to Mentorship Program