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Construction and Building Surveying

Certificate in Building Compliance (Level 4)

Certificate in Building Compliance (Level 4)

GAIN AN NZQA ACCREDITED QUALIFICATION THAT IS UNIQUE, RELEVANT, AND INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC.

 

The first of its kind, this 20-week programme allows you to study while working in the field. Gain the core expertise you need to operate effectively in the building compliance environment, as an Independent Qualified Person (IQP) or Building Compliance Officer.

 

Learn how to interpret relevant legislation, manage documentation and understand the pathways to achieve and maintain building compliance.

Programme summary

Level:
4
Credits:
60
Fees:
$3,928
Duration:
20 weeks
Who Can Join:
18 years & above
NZ Citizens / Resident visa holders
Relevant employment may be required
Campus:
Blended online (includes face-to-face workshops; weekly online tutorials and self-paced online modules)
Next Intake:
10 November 2025 (Auckland), 21 October 2025 (Christchurch), 2 February 2026 (Wellington)

Highlights

Prepare for in-demand roles in building compliance

Apply your learning through real-world, work-integrated experience

Learn to work ethically and respectfully with diverse communities

Gain practical expertise in New Zealand’s building compliance laws and processes

Unique delivery model combining face-to-face workshops, online tutorials, and self-paced modules

READY FOR WHAT'S NEXT?

 

Progress your career as an Independent Qualified Person or Building Compliance Officer.

 

This programme seeks to address the regulatory knowledge gaps identified for building compliance officers working in the Territorial Authority (TA) building compliance space and Independent Qualified Persons (IQPs) seeking to gain or maintain registration on one or more of the regional IQP registers.

PROGRAMME INFORMATION

PROGRAMME INFORMATION

The building compliance industry plays a vital role in ensuring that New Zealand’s built environment is safe, functional, and aligned with national standards. Every commercial and public building must meet strict legal requirements under the Building Act 2004 and the New Zealand Building Code. It’s the dedicated professionals in this field who make that happen. From managing compliance schedules and specified systems to issuing Building Warrants of Fitness and overseeing fire safety and evacuation procedures, the industry safeguards the wellbeing of thousands of building occupants every day.

With increasing awareness of public safety, accessibility and cultural respect, demand for skilled building compliance professionals is growing. Local Councils, Building Consent Authorities (BCAs), Territorial Authorities (TAs), Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), and private consultancy firms all depend on knowledgeable compliance officers, inspectors, and Independent Qualified Persons (IQPs) to maintain legal and ethical standards.

The industry also offers meaningful pathways for career growth and specialisation. It combines technical knowledge, real-world problem solving, and public service, making it an ideal choice for those who want to contribute to safer, more inclusive communities. By joining the building compliance sector, you’re not just building a career, you’re helping build trust in New Zealand’s built environment.

A building compliance officer's average salary ranges between $75,000 and $80,000, while experienced professionals may earn over $90,000. Independent Qualified Professionals (IQPs) can expect to earn between $70,000 and $100,000 on average.

Source:

 

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 meet either the General Admission or Special Admission conditions and be currently working in a technical role in the building compliance environment (or similar) that will enable them to complete the authentic workplace experience hours relevant to the learning outcomes for the programme.

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.

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 an 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 in a building regulatory environment.

– 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.

– Apply knowledge of the building regulatory environment including related government departments, industry bodies, and stakeholders to 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 building regulatory outcomes.

The programme is delivered through a mix of face-to-face workshops, weekly online tutorials, and self-paced online modules for in-employment students.

Students will attend two two-day and two one-day in-person workshops spaced over the duration of the programme. In weeks where there are no face-to-face workshops, there will be two to three hours online tutorials at the beginning of the week. Students will then work through the online modules for the week.

Students also complete 240 hours of practicum learning in their building compliance workplace and engage in online learning and assessments.

Course Title

Building Regulatory Environment for Building Compliance - 15 credits

                          Specified Systems and Compliance - 30 credits

 Building Compliance Inspection and Reporting - 15 credits

The programme encourages learners to build transferable skills that support progression into more senior roles in the building regulatory environment or into further study, such as the NZ Diploma in Building Surveying (Level 6) the Bachelor of Building Surveying and Control (Level 7) or micro-credentials in fire compliance, IQP auditing, or technical inspections.