Overview 2023
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
View archived years for this course
For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
"Time to study can be a challenge, but the course feels like it's designed to be undertaken in conjunction with working – particularly full time, and there is flexibility and very open communication channels with staff for discussion if necessary."
The Diploma of Construction Management offers an opportunity for employees in the building and civil construction industries to obtain the skills required to meet the projected workforce demands resulting from Tasmania’s significant infrastructure and capital works projects pipeline. You'll develop the knowledge and practical skills to manage small teams, and learn how to communicate clearly across the range of people who work in building and construction.
You'll also develop an understanding of legislation and codes and contract requirements, learn how to manage project costs, and discover how to take a proactive approach to work health and safety. The course will support you in developing good habits and skills for continual professional learning — the key to a successful and long-lasting career.
The course is suited to existing employees within the building and civil construction industries who hold a Certificate III in Building & Construction, or a Certificate III in Civil Construction, have relevant industry experience, and are looking to upskill into roles with additional functional requirements and higher levels of responsibility. The course is also suited to employees within city councils, utilities and engineering consultancy firms who are looking to develop professional skills in construction project management.
Funding assistance from Keystone Tasmania is available for eligible building and construction practitioners and their employees. Contact the Keystone for details.
Key contacts
| Current student enrolment questions and advice | UConnect |
| Course Coordinator | Cecilia Lawler |
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
Experiential learning and portfolio development is key to the Diploma of Construction Management. Approaches to Experiential Education components of each unit introduce the concept of learning through practice, by exposing students to authentic and engaged learning experiences designed to develop their understanding of work and the workplace. Students are introduced to:
- Different methods of and approaches to professional practice,
- How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership manifest in the workplace and;
- The role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations.
Students will develop personal responsibility for, and autonomy in, building their portfolio of practice. This is reflected in educational plans developed in consultation with their Experiential Education Coach, the ADAT staff and each student’s employer. Experiential Education components are based on a range of approaches to practice; for example, projects, case studies and industry workshops. Across all units, assessment tasks are informed by contextualised discipline-based knowledge. The course structure also allows for experiential education to be integrated or interlinked into problem-based learning projects which span four terms of each year (negotiated industry-based projects).
Career outcomes
Developed in close consultation with industry, this course is specially designed for you to build on your technical or administrative construction work experience and prepare you for a variety of roles such as contract administrator, project manager and estimating associate. These are some of the top careers projected to grow in the next five years*:
- Business Administration Managers (12.1%)
- Construction Managers (9.2%)
- Construction, Distribution and Production Managers (6.9%)
Once you complete the Diploma of Construction Management (Z1X), you'll be eligible to receive a minimum of 75 credit points towards the Associate Degree in Applied Business (Z2C). You may also be eligible for credit towards other University of Tasmania courses, subject to the receiving College’s discretion.
ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2019 and projections to 2024.
Course structure
Completion of the Diploma of Construction Management requires 100 credit points including:
- A Core of 75 credit points and
- Discipline electives of 25 credit points
If you are starting in 2023 you can find your course planner here – this helps you plan what units to enrol in and when.
Core
This unit explores the nature of contracts in business to business relationships. You will examine the legalities surrounding contracts, including different types of contracts and important clauses. You will also learn the processes involved with contract administration, including contract variations,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit will introduce leadership, people management and communication skills and techniques to support effective interaction with construction people and teams, clients, contractors, suppliers and external stakeholders. You will learn and apply negotiation and conflict resolution techniques and communication mindsets…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for ZAX101 Leadership and Communication in Construction
In this unit you will learn the principles of cost management for estimating and controlling construction project costs. You will learn about time-variable, value-variable and fixed costs, and how these relate to calculating profits and overheads. Through applied activities, you…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit will familiarise you with the legislation framework, Australian standards and codes of practice for construction of buildings and civil structures.Key areas covered will include construction codes, work health and safety, Aboriginal and cultural heritage, and environmental legislation. It…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for ZAX103 Legislation and Standards in Construction
In this unit, you will apply the processes of project risk management to construction projects to create authentic risk management documents. You will undertake a risk study on a key aspect of a construction project, conduct a risk and compliance…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit you will learn project management concepts, tools and processes used in the formulation, delivery and management of construction projects. Your learning will focus on practical examples and incorporate analysis of construction project case studies. You will develop…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Discipline Electives
The effective and efficient operation of business is human resource intensive. Strategies used to attract, motivate, manage and retain the right people are essential skills for all business managers for business success. This unit introduces you to how Human Resource…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit will provide you with a practical understanding of operational budgeting and financial decision making, as well as other financial concepts, practices and tools used to measure and assess the financial performance of an organisation. The use of practical…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit focuses on the principles and tools associated with contemporary Lean Thinking and practice. Lean Thinking or ‘lean’ is a systematic method of continuous improvement through minimising waste without sacrificing productivity, creating more value for customers. It has been…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Quality management focuses on the quality of physical products as well as services and processes, and how they can be improved. The principles and processes of quality management are the key elements that businesses use to respond to market and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Effective construction program management is fundamental to controlling resources across a company’s schedule of works, and delivering multiple projects and activities within a defined program budget. In this unit you will be introduced to common tools and methods for planning…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
Applicants who have recently completed secondary education
- Completed the TCE (or equivalent); and
- Must be currently employed in the construction industry.
Domestic Applicants with higher education study
- Completed at least one undergraduate unit (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points); and
- Must be currently employed in the construction industry.
Applicants with VET / TAFE study
- A completed VET Certificate III or higher; and
- Must be currently employed in the construction industry.
Applicants with work and life experience
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course. You must be currently employed in the construction industry.
Prerequisites
Applicants must be currently employed in the construction industry
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability. We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course.
For International students
This course is not currently offered to international students
Credit transfer
You may be eligible for advanced standing (i.e. credit points) in this Diploma if you:
- Have completed an award such as a Diploma or Advanced Diploma at the University, from TAFE or another institution;
- Are currently studying another Diploma at the University or at another institution;
- Have completed studies towards a Bachelor degree at the University or from another institution.
Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Articulation
Articulating into the Diploma of Construction Management will be in line with the University's standard application for credit process. Please see Recognition of Prior Learning for more information. Applications for credit can be made upon application to the course.
Students who complete the Diploma of Construction Management will be eligible to receive between 75 and 100 credit points towards the Associate Degree in Applied Business Business Improvement or Procurement and Supply Chains streams. To receive the maximum amount of credit into the relevant stream, the following units must be completed under the Diploma:
- Business Improvement: two of ZAA133, ZAA140, and ZAS231
- Procurement and Supply Chains: ZAA133 and ZAA150
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries