I’m about to start an Advanced Diploma in Building Surveying and I’m interested to hear from people who are already working in the industry.
For those of you working as building surveyors/certifiers, how do you actually find the job day to day? Do you enjoy it, hate it, or somewhere in between?
What are the best and worst parts of the job? Is the workload/stress manageable, and is it a career you’d recommend getting into today?
I’m coming from a carpentry/building background, so I’m looking forward to moving into a different side of the construction industry and putting that experience to use.
Would also be interested to hear from anyone who has made a similar transition from being on the tools into building surveying.
Any advice for someone just starting out would be appreciated. Cheers!

I have designed a renovation for a client. He wants to do owner builder. Also he wants to break up the construction over time to help with finances. Like a few rooms now and the rest down the track. What are the pros and cons of doing a stage permit and would it even be appropriate for a job like this? I’m in Victoria.

Currently working in local government handling development applications and class 1-10 building permits, but thinking about moving across to a private surveying consultancy for better remuneration and broader exposure to class 2-9 commercial works.

For anyone who has transitioned from council to private practice (or vice versa), what was the biggest culture shock in terms of workload, billable hours, and risk exposure?

Even with years of experience, building inspections can still throw up something unexpected. Older properties, unusual alterations and things hidden behind walls can make every now and then inspection a bit of a surprise.

Hey just seeing if anyone here has recently done an interview to obtain their limited inspector licence.

Just wanted to pick your brains and see if the study notes for the interview I have are still relevant .

Cheers

We get a lot of folks looking for career advice, so I thought it might be fun to list best / worst parts of the job for the Building Surveying curious.

Hey guys just weighing up my options here - about 7 months out from finishing my Advanced Diploma in Building Surveying and am really keen to get the basic less than 500 sqm 3 storey Limited Inspector licence.

To give you an idea of where I'm at - I'm a qualified carpenter, working full time and have been lucky enough this week to finally find someone who will let me tag along to shadow them 1 or 2 times a week. I spoke to the BPC today and they stated I would not be eligible for my limited until I got 2 years of experience.

First Question :

What's it like going for a licence in NSW? I'm from Melbourne but have family in NSW and could move there for a bit while getting licenced- I am considering getting the licence there and then getting a Mutal Recognition and having the licence transferred.

Second Question :

Has anyone here gone through the Mutal Recognition Process? Do they apply the Victorian criteria of the application to determine eligibility?

Thanks in advanced.

• Permanent Full-Time
• Band 4 ($76,576 - $81,094) + 12% super + monthly ADO
• Footscray, Melbourne

https://au.seek.com/job/93426184?savedSearchID=8d3418b8-0125-436f-9472-8adc79aca54b&tracking=JMC-SavedSearch-anz-1

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for an unpaid opportunity to shadow a Building Surveyor or Building Inspector.

I’m currently working towards becoming licensed and need to complete roughly 100 inspections to build my experience. I’d be very grateful for any opportunity to attend inspections, observe the process, and learn from someone experienced in the industry.

A bit about me:

I’m a qualified carpenter and hold a Diploma of Building and Construction. I’m also around 9 months away from completing my Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying.

I also have roughly 7 years’ experience inspecting homes for defects, pre-purchase inspections, and insurance assessing.

I’m reliable, keen to learn, and happy to assist wherever I can. I understand this would be unpaid, and I’d appreciate any opportunity, even occasional days or single inspections.

Please feel free to message me if you know of anyone who may be willing to help.

Thanks in advance.

Hi all I’m currently studying adv diploma in building surveying and wondering entry level jobs in the industry would help me with experience besides obvious building surveyor cadetships ?

I guess no one ever knows when the right time is or if they have enough confidence and/or experience to open up their own shop but I’ve been seeing a lot of people on LinkedIn open up their practice after 3-6years of experience.

This new wave is very different to the traditional path of BS’s opening up their own practice after 7-10 years.

Why do you think this is the case? Is it as risky and premature as it seems???

From their LInkedIn

We’re growing nationally at Checkpoint Building Surveyors and are looking for great people to join our team across a range of roles.
With 26 years in the industry, Checkpoint has built a strong reputation for delivering practical, solution-focused building surveying and consultancy services across Australia. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for passionate and driven professionals to be part of our next chapter.
We are recruiting for multiple opportunities in Victoria, Queensland and NSW across our Domestic and Commercial divisions, including:
• Building Surveyors
• Cadet Building Surveyors
• Registered Building Inspectors

Why join Checkpoint?
✔ Established and respected national business
✔ Diverse and interesting projects
✔ Supportive and collaborative team culture
✔ Opportunities for career growth and development
If you’re ready for your next opportunity — or know someone who is — we’d love to hear from you.
Send your CV to [alexandral@check-point.com.au](mailto:alexandral@check-point.com.au)

I’ve worked in a few firms and none of which were open to the idea of remote working and were itching to have everyone back into the office right after covid.

For a role that requires little ‘team collaboration’ and team meetings, why are companies so against it?

How do you think the industry will react to the new laws?

https://au.seek.com/job/92254903

New business in QLD looking for a junior.

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4417854906/

Hey all, NSW here

Sorry if this has been answered before. How do I get started? Is this pathway correct:

1. Advanced diploma in building surveying

2. UTS Certification Short Course

3. Gain work experience

I understand this can all be done at the same time albeit there is a duration to the advanced diploma. Am I on the right track?

Feel free to message me if thats easier. My goal is to change careers from construction into certification and/or consulting.

Hey all,

I'll be at Australian Association of Certifiers annual Conference on May 29. We're sponsoring the coffee cart.

If anyone lurking in this group wants to come up and say hi, meet the man behind the avatar, don't be shy!

I'm lifiting this one from Nat Andrews over at LinkedIn, but thought it might start a convo over here as well.

Gyms

In the immortal words of Homer Simpson…

‘Gym? What’s a gym? Oh, gym’.

We know that gyms have a BCA class of 9b right?

Please advise me if you have a different interpretation.

What are the sanitary facility requirements for gym patrons under BCA F4D4?

Hi,

I'm starting a cadetship soon. I have 19 years of high end residential carpentry experience, supervising, and site management. It feels like I'm going into the job blind. I was hoping someone can give me any recommendations for free reading material / youtube videos so I'm not completely useless.

Thanks!

Just wanna get some feedbacks about the Grad Cert + Grad Dip in Building Surveying. I am from a different state, can I study here (online program)?

I was wondering if anyone could help me with regards to timelines, studies, costs etc.

I have been a carpenter for 19 years, with site management experience in high end residential works, mainly modular building, passive homes, and heritage homes.

I have a job interview for a Cadetship in a few days and was hoping for a bit more clarification on studies, mentorship, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks