Improve your chances of gaining an apprenticeship with a pre-apprenticeship course in building and construction.
This is a pre-apprenticeship course.
It is designed to provide you with basic skills and training in the carpentry and construction field, and can be an important first step to your career as a carpenter. Studying full-time at RMIT, you’ll undertake practical workshops to give you hands-on experience, as well as important theory classes that provide a solid understanding of the industry.
In addition, you can seek work experience opportunities to gain first-hand knowledge and experience of the carpentry and construction industry, which will better prepare you for a full-time apprenticeship.
When you’re finished, you’ll have the skills and knowledge that an employer looks for when hiring an apprentice. These include an understanding of:
This course is designed to provide skills that employers are looking for, and you’ll hear from industry guest speakers.
Attend practical workshops that give you first-hand experience of what you’ll be doing in the real world after graduation.
Highly regarded by the Master Builders Association as a suitable entrance requirement into a carpentry apprenticeship.
RMIT’s Trades Innovation Centre is a cutting-edge facility offering the latest in skills training and technology for students and industry.
The centre features adaptable spaces, including a 2.5-metre-deep sand pit, double-height workshop ceilings, and a three-storey training rig that mimics building construction for real-world experience.
Divided into ‘trade zones’, this allows students to gain hands-on experience while observing other trades.
You will be taught in a combination of workshop and theory classes, with an emphasis on practical skills. RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects and practical assignments.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
Guest speakers from industry will enhance your learning experiences.
An industry engagement day is organised near the end of your course to provide you with relevant information on regulations, key employers and employment opportunities.
Students are also connected through industry associations and the RMIT Skills and Jobs Centre to assist with securing a full-time apprenticeship.
This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.
In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.
Through this certificate, you'll gain insight into the carpentry and construction industry, understand its expectations and how you can progress.
You'll gain basic knowledge and skills through workshop classes, which will develop your understanding of:
This course will teach you the fundamentals of practical construction projects, which include:
These projects will be practised in simulated workshops.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.
Carpenters continue to be in high demand in Australia, and the current job outlook is very strong. Carpenters may be self-employed, employed in small firms or employed in large construction firms.
On successful completion, you’ll be eligible to receive the Victorian-endorsed Certificate II in Building and Construction (Pre-Apprenticeship) Code 26614VIC. This qualification is highly regarded by the Master Builders Association as a suitable entrance requirement into a carpentry apprenticeship.
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this course. Applicants must meet the minimum university entry requirements.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this course.
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
Unfortunately we are currently unable to offer formal pathways into this course. Contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.
When you successfully complete this certificate, you may be eligible to apply for further studies at RMIT such as a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
The tuition fees you will pay depends on your eligibility for government subsidies.
Not sure which fee type applies to you? Learn more and check your eligibility.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
You may be eligible for a fee concession if you hold a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Card, or Veteran's Gold Card, or are enrolled in the Asylum Seeker VET program. Find out more about fee concessions.
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$291.72
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$291.72 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$291.72
Includes all fees listed above
|
$291.72 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $22.03 per nominal hour ($12,358.83 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$56.10
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$56.10 |
|
Material fees
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$56.10
Includes all fees listed above
|
$56.10 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $22.03 per nominal hour ($12,358.83 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$3,100.00
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
$3,100.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$291.72
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$291.72 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$3,391.72
Includes all fees listed above
|
$3,391.72 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $14.30 per nominal hour ($8,022.30 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$620.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$620.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$56.10
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$56.10 |
|
Material fees
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$676.10
Includes all fees listed above
|
$676.10 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $17.50 per nominal hour ($9,817.50 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$11,100.00
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
$11,100.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$291.72
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$291.72 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$11,391.72
Includes all fees listed above
|
$11,391.72 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $ per nominal hour ($ total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$0.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$0.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$0.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$0.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $14.30 per nominal hour ($8,022.30 total).
Generated on 23 July 2026 | RMIT University's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Code is 3046 | Payment and refund information
VET Student Loan cap for Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (C2228): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSL|
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$0
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$0
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$ per nominal hour ($ total).
Choose the specific course plan to see relevant fee information:
VET Student Loan cap for (): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSLRMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
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