This 16-week programme allows you to build your knowledge about New Zealand legislation and regulations and working in a building regulatory environment.
The New Zealand Certificate in Building Regulatory Environment (Level 4) gives you the skills and knowledge to support and assist building control operations and compliance processes. It expands your career options and boosts your capability with real world skills.
Increase confidence while gaining a nationally recognised qualification that is industry relevant.
9am until 2pm, Monday to Thursday. Two days of on-campus classes and two days of online classes each week.
Job growth
Take your place in one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. Construction is the fifth largest sector in New Zealand’s economy, employing just over a quarter of a million people. Around 4,800 new jobs a year will be created in construction in the years to 2028, according to the government’s medium to long-term employment outlook.
Building consents and Activity
2,926 building consents were issued in April 2024, which is a six percent increase from April 2023. There was a 21 percent increase in stand-alone homes which contributed to the overall increase in homes consented.
22,000 houses are needed over the next decade in Auckland alone, and 125,000 additional houses across New Zealand over the next five years due to population growth. There have already been 17,100 more jobs filled in construction in June 2023 compared to June 2022, and this is expected to continue increasing further.
Auckland represents over a third of New Zealand's construction activity, due to its extensive housing projects. However, there are opportunities elsewhere including various roading projects, Christchurch's rebuild, and Wellington's earthquake strengthening, ensuring there are plenty of opportunities all over New Zealand.
Better Pay
Building Surveyors usually earn between $61,000 and $112,000 per year.
Source: Stats NZ, Careers NZ
General Admission - Academic and English Requirements
You will need to have a minimum of four years' secondary education, a minimum of 10 NCEA credits in English and 10 NCEA credits in Mathematics at Level 1 or above or equivalent or completion of an appropriate qualification at Level 3 or above or relevant work experience in a building control environment.
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of sufficient competence in English to complete this programme successfully.
Special Admission
You will need to be 20 years old by the first day of study and have sufficient evidence of aptitude, work or life experience that would indicate a successful outcome in your qualification. This can comprise written evidence, an interview, referee checks or a combination of these.
Regulatory framework
We will teach you how to apply knowledge of the relevant aspects of the regulatory framework within the building and/or building regulatory environments, and to operate effectively in a support role within the building and/or building regulatory environment including related government departments, industry bodies, and stakeholders.
Approval processes and checking documentation
You will learn how to apply the relevant technical and administrative aspects of the building regulatory process to support approval processes. You will gain the skills to check building regulatory documentation for completeness, within predetermined parameters, and to receive, resolve, and escalate enquiries.
Communication
You will learn to communicate effectively with the public, customers, and colleagues to provide appropriate customer service. You will gain the knowledge to make accurate notes, input written data on internal forms, checklists, field inspection records and how to complete prescribed forms in accordance with the Building Act, Building Code and other regulatory requirements.
NZ Diploma in Building Surveying Level 6
You will attend in-class and online tutorials where you can ask your lecturers any questions about your assessments and learning.
What does BRE mean?
It means Building Regulatory Environment. We are regulated by many laws in the council and the programme teaches you the important ones.
Can I get my LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner ) and Continued Professional Development points for this programme?
Yes, you could submit your learning as elective activities you completed. Check out the link here: LBP Maintenance Site.
Why should I do more training for a Level 4 certificate when it is at a lower level than my degree in architecture?
The programme gives insights into the building control operations and compliance processes. A better understanding of inspection standards helps you to identify risks of failure, resulting in time and costs saving. This Level 4 qualification provides a specific focus on building regulations compared to a broad-based diploma or bachelor's qualification. This specialised, niche qualification gives you an advantage in carrying out consenting and other compliance processes more efficiently.
Will this qualification be recognised in the building regulatory environment?
Yes, this qualification is NZQA approved and recognised by New Zealand employers.
Are there any other organisations in New Zealand offering this qualification?
Future Skills Academy is the only specialist NZQA-approved organisation in New Zealand that offers this qualification in the area of Building Regulatory Environment and Building Control. Our faculty have vast experience in this field and are well known and respected in the industry. We work with more than 50 Building Consent Authorities across New Zealand and have over 200 students enrolled. We work in close consultation with our partner organisation, BOINZ (Building Officials Institute of New Zealand).
I have so many commitments. I am concerned I may not be able to complete the programme.
Please feel free to reach out to our Student Services team and find out how you will be supported during your learning.
I've never done online learning before. What support will I be provided?
As long as you have used computers or tablets for routine office work,using various applications such as Word, email and video conferences such as Teams and Zoom, you will find online learning fairly straightforward. However, please feel free to contact our friendly team with any questions.
What if I miss some classes online?
You will have access to all the learning material on our learning management system, Moodle. All the classes will also be recorded for later viewing.
What do I need to access the programme content?
You will need access to a laptop, desktop computer or tablet and a reliable internet connection to complete this programme.
Do I need to have any computer skills?
Yes, you will need basic computer skills to be successful in the programme.
Which New Zealand legislation will I learn about?
– The Building Act, 2004 and associated legislation
– All clauses of the New Zealand Building Code
– The Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods
and relevant Standards.
Is what I am learning relevant to the building regulatory environment?
Yes, all the courses conform to best industry practice and adhere to current relevant New Zealand legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
Will I be able to cope with the academic requirements of the programme?
Your lecturers and the Student Success team at Future Skills Academy are available to offer any additional academic support you may need to succeed.
I am already a building industry-based project manager and do not want to work for the council. What are the advantages of studying this subject?
The key aspect of a project management role is to ensure the highest quality and timely completion of projects. Our programme prepares you to set your business and project management processes to minimise the risk of inspection failures. You will gain the knowledge you need to set up quality systems and processes along with anticipate and understand the inspection standards beforehand. This reduces the remedial work required post inspections, builds confidence in inspectors at your company, and helps you deliver on projects faster resulting in higher profitability.