Construction and Building Surveying

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

Applicants must meet the In-Employment Admission conditions and either the General Admission or the Special Admission conditions. 
Applicants must provide evidence of: NZ citizenship or residency, or Australian citizenship or residency.

IN EMPLOYMENT ADMISSION

Applicants must:

Provide confirmation from their employer that they are currently working in administration or a support service role either as an employee or intern within a Building Consent Authority, Territorial Authority or similar regulatory environment, performing a building regulatory function; and

Provide confirmation that the employer will allocate them hours of work and relevant duties in order for the applicant to complete the work experience required hours and learning outcomes for the programme; and

Have been trained to meet their employer’s health and safety requirements for entering a building site and use personal protection equipment including a hard hat, hi-viz vest, capped boots and safety glasses.

GENERAL ADMISSION

Applicants must have a minimum of four years of secondary education and 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.

SPECIAL ADMISSION

Applicants must have:

– attained the age of 20 years on or before the first day on which study for the certificate is to commence;

AND

– provided sufficient evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other life experience that would indicate a successful outcome in the qualification. This can be provided with written evidence, an interview, referee checks or a combination of these.

– Special Admission for domestic applicants, for whom English is an additional language (EAL), may be required to provide evidence that they have and appropriate level of  English proficiency for study at Level 4.

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

– Communicate effectively with the public, customers, and colleagues to provide appropriate customer service

– Check building regulatory documentation for completeness, within predetermined parameters, and to receive, resolve, and escalate enquiries

– Apply knowledge of the relevant aspects of the regulatory framework within the building and/or building regulatory environments

– Operate effectively in a support role within the building and/or building regulatory environment including related government departments, industry bodies, and stakeholders

– Apply the relevant technical and administrative aspects of the building regulatory process to support approval processes.

There are 10 days of teacher-directed-learning spaced over the duration of the programme. This can be achieved by holding several block courses or by a mix of face-to-face learning and regular short sessions using video conferencing.

Students also complete 360 hours of practicum learning in their building regulatory workplace and engage in on-line learning and assessment. BCA may wish to negotiate a longer delivery timeframe to meet specific regional needs.