Construction and Trade CRICOS Courses in Australia: Carpentry, Building, Tiling and Bricklaying Pathways
Construction and trade-related courses are one of the most visible practical study pathways in the current CRICOS course dataset. For international students comparing Australian study options, this area includes hands-on vocational programs such as carpentry, painting and decorating, wall and floor tiling, bricklaying and blocklaying, solid plastering, building and construction, as well as higher education programs in construction management, construction practice and civil construction design.
This article analyses the current list of CRICOS courses and highlights active construction and trade-related options available to international students in Australia. The examples below include CRICOS course codes, provider names, qualification levels, duration, estimated costs and available location data.
Key Findings from the Current List of CRICOS Courses
The current CRICOS course dataset includes a large number of active construction and trade-related records. Based on course names and fields of education, there are more than 1,300 active construction-related course records in the current list of CRICOS courses.
The largest groups are practical vocational qualifications:
| Course Type | Active Course Records Found |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | 195 |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | 187 |
| Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design | 170 |
| Certificate III in Painting and Decorating | 149 |
| Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling | 117 |
| Certificate IV in Building and Construction | 111 |
| Diploma of Civil Construction Design | 96 |
| Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying | 82 |
| Certificate III in Solid Plastering | 75 |
| Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining | 18 |
This structure shows that construction is not a single study category. It includes several different qualification routes, from entry-level trade training to diploma-level building programs and university-level construction management degrees.
What Counts as a Construction or Trade CRICOS Course?
In the CRICOS dataset, construction and trade-related courses usually appear under fields such as Architecture and Building or Engineering and Related Technologies. The most common course names include:
- Certificate III in Carpentry
- Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
- Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling
- Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
- Certificate III in Solid Plastering
- Certificate IV in Building and Construction
- Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
- Diploma of Civil Construction Design
- Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
- Bachelor of Construction Management
- Master of Construction Practice
- Master of Construction Management
For students using a list of CRICOS courses to compare options, the first distinction is the course level. Certificate III programs are usually trade-focused. Diplomas and advanced diplomas often move closer to technical, supervisory or design-related roles. Bachelor and master’s programs are more commonly connected with construction management, project management, quantity surveying or professional construction practice.
Certificate III Pathways: Practical Trade Qualifications
Certificate III is one of the most important levels for construction trades in the current CRICOS data. These courses are usually the most directly connected with practical trade skills.
Examples include carpentry, wall and floor tiling, bricklaying, painting and decorating, and solid plastering.
| Course | Provider | CRICOS Code | Level | Duration | Estimated Total Cost | Location Examples |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | Holmesglen Institute | 104855K | Certificate III | 48 weeks | $18,170 | Chadstone, VIC |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 104856J | Certificate III | 104 weeks | $32,498 | WA locations |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | TAFE SA | 114486C | Certificate III | 104 weeks | $36,105 | SA locations |
| Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 103797A | Certificate III | 104 weeks | $26,240 | Balga / Clarkson, WA |
| Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 103833B | Certificate III | 104 weeks | $32,662 | Balga / Thornlie, WA |
| Certificate III in Painting and Decorating | ABOARD TRAINING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD | 120648F | Certificate III | 68 weeks | $22,750 | Provider location data available separately |
| Certificate III in Solid Plastering | Crown Education Pty Ltd | 120694M | Certificate III | 52 weeks | $16,500 | Provider location data available separately |
These examples show the variety inside the trade course category. Some programs are offered by large public providers such as TAFE or state training departments, while others are offered by private vocational colleges.
Carpentry Courses in the CRICOS Dataset
Carpentry is one of the largest construction-related course groups in the current list of CRICOS courses. The dataset includes 195 active records for Certificate III in Carpentry.
Carpentry programs are usually listed as Certificate III qualifications and commonly use the national code CPC30220. They are especially relevant for students looking at hands-on building and construction pathways.
Examples from the dataset:
| Course | Provider | CRICOS Code | Location | Duration | Estimated Total Cost |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | Holmesglen Institute | 104855K | Chadstone, VIC | 48 weeks | $18,170 |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 104856J | WA locations | 104 weeks | $32,498 |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | TAFE SA | 114486C | SA locations | 104 weeks | $36,105 |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | ABOARD TRAINING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD | 120647G | Provider location data available separately | 68 weeks | $22,750 |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | Helix College Pty Ltd | 120428G | Provider location data available separately | 104 weeks | $39,500 |
For students comparing a list of CRICOS courses, carpentry is a good example of why it is important to look beyond the course name. Similar course names can have different durations, different total costs and different locations.
Building and Construction Diplomas
The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is another major course type in the CRICOS dataset. It appears frequently across public and private providers.
This qualification usually sits above trade-level Certificate III programs. It may be relevant for students interested in building supervision, construction coordination, site management or further construction study.
| Course | Provider | CRICOS Code | Level | Duration | Estimated Total Cost | Location |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | Gordon Institute of TAFE | 103762A | Diploma | 78 weeks | $24,048 | East Geelong, VIC |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | Holmesglen Institute | 103763M | Diploma | 104 weeks | $33,880 | Chadstone, VIC |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 103764K | Diploma | 52 weeks | $16,169 | WA locations |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | TAFE SA | 104672F | Diploma | 130 weeks | $50,300 | SA locations |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | Logic Entity Australia Pty Ltd | 120642A | Diploma | 52 weeks | $18,000 | Provider location data available separately |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | Helix College Pty Ltd | 120429F | Diploma | 104 weeks | $39,500 | Provider location data available separately |
The same course title can appear across multiple states and provider types. This makes the list of CRICOS courses useful not only as a compliance register, but also as a comparison tool for students and education agents.
Certificate IV in Building and Construction
The Certificate IV in Building and Construction is another common qualification in the construction area. The current dataset includes more than 100 active records for this course type.
Examples include:
| Course | Provider | CRICOS Code | Duration | Estimated Total Cost | Location |
| Certificate IV in Building and Construction | Canberra Institute of Technology | 104665E | 78 weeks | $25,470 | Bruce, ACT |
| Certificate IV in Building and Construction | Holmesglen Institute | 103777E | 52 weeks | $17,960 | Chadstone, VIC |
| Certificate IV in Building and Construction | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 103778D | 52 weeks | $15,926 | WA locations |
| Certificate IV in Building and Construction | TAFE SA | 104666D | 78 weeks | $21,360 | SA locations |
This level can be relevant for students who want a construction qualification above Certificate III but below a diploma or degree. It is also useful for comparing pathways across different provider types.
Civil Construction Design Courses
Civil construction design is a separate but related pathway. These courses are usually listed under Engineering and Related Technologies rather than purely under Architecture and Building.
The current list of CRICOS courses includes many records for:
- Diploma of Civil Construction Design
- Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
| Course | Provider | CRICOS Code | Level | Duration | Estimated Total Cost |
| Diploma of Civil Construction Design | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 105244G | Diploma | 78 weeks | $25,610 |
| Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design | Department of Training and Workforce Development | 105229F | Advanced Diploma | 52 weeks | $17,116 |
Civil construction design courses are different from trade qualifications such as carpentry or bricklaying. They are more likely to be connected with technical design, infrastructure, drafting, planning or civil construction project support.
Higher Education Pathways: Construction Practice and Construction Management
Not every construction-related CRICOS course is a trade or VET program. The dataset also includes bachelor’s, graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master’s courses connected with construction management and construction practice.
Examples include:
| Course | Provider | CRICOS Code | Level | Duration | Estimated Total Cost | Location |
| Graduate Certificate in Construction Practice | Bond University | 093262G | Graduate Certificate | 18 weeks | $26,974 | Robina, QLD |
| Master of Construction Practice | Bond University | 071288B | Masters Coursework | 72 weeks | $80,557 | Robina, QLD |
| Master of Construction Practice | Southern Cross University | 120706A | Masters Coursework | 104 weeks | $56,000 | Provider location data available separately |
| Graduate Certificate in Construction Practice | Southern Cross University | 120705B | Graduate Certificate | 26 weeks | $28,000 | Provider location data available separately |
| Master of Construction Project Management | The University of New South Wales | 085910C | Masters Coursework | 86 weeks | $72,500 | NSW provider locations |
| Bachelor of Construction Project Management | University of Technology Sydney | 044183B | Bachelor Degree | 208 weeks | $168,040 | NSW provider locations |
| Bachelor of Digital Construction and Management | Holmesglen Institute | 119839J | Bachelor Degree | 156 weeks | $86,268 | VIC provider locations |
These programs serve a different student profile from Certificate III trade qualifications. They are more suitable for students comparing construction management, project management, quantity surveying, digital construction or professional construction practice pathways.
Location Patterns: Where Construction CRICOS Courses Appear
The available course-location data shows that construction-related courses are spread across multiple Australian states and territories. Direct course-location records are most visible in Victoria and New South Wales, followed by Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
| State / Territory | Direct Construction-Related Course-Location Records Found |
| Victoria | 901 |
| New South Wales | 617 |
| Queensland | 254 |
| Western Australia | 173 |
| South Australia | 165 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 50 |
| Tasmania | 31 |
| Northern Territory | 5 |
These numbers are based on direct course-location matches in the available location dataset. They should be read as location records, not as a count of unique courses.
Examples of locations appearing in the construction dataset include:
| City / Campus Area | State | Example Provider / Course |
| Chadstone | VIC | Holmesglen Institute — Certificate III in Carpentry; Diploma of Building and Construction |
| East Geelong | VIC | Gordon Institute of TAFE — Diploma of Building and Construction |
| Bruce | ACT | Canberra Institute of Technology — Certificate IV in Building and Construction |
| Robina | QLD | Bond University — Construction Practice programs |
| Balga | WA | Department of Training and Workforce Development — Wall and Floor Tiling; Bricklaying |
| Clarkson | WA | Department of Training and Workforce Development — Wall and Floor Tiling |
| Thornlie | WA | Department of Training and Workforce Development — Bricklaying and Blocklaying |
For students using CRICOS.net or another list of CRICOS courses, location is one of the most important comparison points. The same course name may be available in different states, but the provider, duration, cost and campus access can vary significantly.
How to Compare Construction Courses in the CRICOS Dataset
When comparing construction and trade courses, students should not rely on the course title alone. A proper comparison should include at least seven data points:
| Data Point | Why It Matters |
| CRICOS Course Code | Identifies the registered course record |
| Provider Name | Shows which institution offers the course |
| Course Level | Separates Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, Bachelor and Master pathways |
| Duration | Affects study planning, visa planning and total time in Australia |
| Tuition Fee | Helps compare affordability |
| Estimated Total Course Cost | Gives a broader cost estimate than tuition alone |
| Location | Determines the city, campus and local study environment |
A list of CRICOS courses becomes more useful when it is filtered by profession, level and location. For example, a student interested in practical trade training may compare Certificate III carpentry programs, while another student may focus on diploma-level building courses or master’s-level construction management programs.
Certificate, Diploma or Degree: Which Construction Pathway Is Different?
The construction category includes several qualification levels. These levels are not interchangeable.
| Pathway | Typical Course Examples | Best Suited For |
| Certificate III | Carpentry, tiling, bricklaying, painting, plastering | Practical trade training |
| Certificate IV | Building and Construction | Higher vocational construction skills |
| Diploma | Building and Construction, Civil Construction Design | Technical or supervisory pathways |
| Advanced Diploma | Civil Construction Design | More advanced technical design pathways |
| Bachelor Degree | Construction Management, Digital Construction | Undergraduate professional study |
| Graduate Certificate / Master | Construction Practice, Construction Management | Postgraduate professional development |
This is why construction is one of the most useful categories to analyse inside the CRICOS database. It contains both hands-on trade pathways and academic construction management pathways.
Notable Newer Construction Course Examples
The current dataset also includes recently added construction-related records with high practical relevance. Examples include:
| Course | Provider | CRICOS Code | Level | Duration | Estimated Total Cost |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | Helix College Pty Ltd | 120428G | Certificate III | 104 weeks | $39,500 |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | Helix College Pty Ltd | 120429F | Diploma | 104 weeks | $39,500 |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | ABOARD TRAINING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD | 120647G | Certificate III | 68 weeks | $22,750 |
| Certificate III in Painting and Decorating | ABOARD TRAINING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD | 120648F | Certificate III | 68 weeks | $22,750 |
| Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) | Logic Entity Australia Pty Ltd | 120642A | Diploma | 52 weeks | $18,000 |
| Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling | MVJ Enterprises Pty Ltd | 120672F | Certificate III | 52 weeks | $16,700 |
| Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying | MVJ Enterprises Pty Ltd | 120673E | Certificate III | 52 weeks | $16,700 |
| Certificate III in Solid Plastering | Crown Education Pty Ltd | 120694M | Certificate III | 52 weeks | $16,500 |
| Graduate Certificate in Construction Practice | Southern Cross University | 120705B | Graduate Certificate | 26 weeks | $28,000 |
| Master of Construction Practice | Southern Cross University | 120706A | Masters Coursework | 104 weeks | $56,000 |
These records show that new construction-related CRICOS additions are not limited to one qualification level. They include trade certificates, building diplomas and postgraduate construction practice programs.
Why Construction Courses Matter in the CRICOS Database
Construction-related CRICOS courses are important because they connect directly with practical occupations and professional pathways. Unlike broad general study areas, construction courses are usually easy to understand by course title: carpentry, tiling, bricklaying, plastering, building, civil construction design or construction management.
This makes the category useful for students, agents, education platforms and researchers. A well-structured list of CRICOS courses can show not only which programs exist, but also how the Australian international education market is changing across professions and qualification levels.
Methodology
This article is based on the current CRICOS course dataset analysed by course name, CRICOS course code, provider, course level, field of education, duration, tuition fee, estimated total course cost and available course-location records.
Expired courses were excluded where applicable. Construction and trade-related records were identified through course names and education fields connected with construction, building, carpentry, painting and decorating, tiling, bricklaying, plastering, wall and ceiling lining, civil construction design, construction practice and construction management.
Location examples are based on available direct course-location records. Where a direct course-location match was not available for a specific record, the article does not present a precise campus claim.
Conclusion
The current list of CRICOS courses shows that construction and trade pathways are a major part of Australia’s international education offering. The dataset includes hundreds of active records across carpentry, building and construction, tiling, bricklaying, painting, plastering, civil construction design, construction practice and construction management.
For international students, the key is to compare more than the course name. CRICOS course code, provider, qualification level, duration, estimated total cost and location all matter. A Certificate III in Carpentry, a Diploma of Building and Construction and a Master of Construction Practice may all belong to the wider construction sector, but they serve very different study and career goals.
For anyone researching Australian study options, a structured list of CRICOS courses is one of the best starting points for comparing construction and trade programs by level, provider and location.