About the Program
Launched as part of the 2020-21 State Budget, the Women Building Surveyors Program has committed $6.3 million over two years to give 40 women new opportunities to become building surveyors with councils across Victoria.
All 79 councils in Victoria were able to nominate one of their female staff members or recruit a female staff member to participate in the program.
On 18 January 2021, the Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane announced the 40 successful councils that have received $75,000 a year so their candidate can begin the professional qualifications, gain work experience at the council and attend development opportunities. The media release is available here
The 2020-21 successful councils include:
Ararat Rural City Council
City of Ballarat
Banyule City Council
Benalla Rural City Council
City of Casey
Corangamite Shire Council
Darebin City Council
Frankston City Council
Glen Eira City Council
Glenelg Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Hobsons Bay City Council
Hume City Council
Knox City Council
Latrobe City Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Maroondah City Council
City of Melbourne
Melton City Council
Mitchell Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Monash City Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Nillumbik Shire Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Rural City of Wangaratta
City of Whittlesea
Wodonga City Council
Wyndham City Council
Yarra City Council
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Program Partner
Local Government Victoria is running the Women Building Surveyors program in partnership with LGPro, councils and training providers.
Expert advice will come from the Victorian Municipal Building Surveyors Group (VMBSG), the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS).
Participants are invited to contact LGPro (Program Partner) representative Cathy Skippington at CathyS@lgpro.com.
Information Session
An information session for successful candidates held on 19 January 2021. A recording of the session is available here.
Program Guidelines
You can view the program guidelines here
Applications for the program are currently closed.
Further Questions
If you have further questions, please contact LGV at wbsp@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
All candidates are responsible for applying for a suitable training course within the relevant institution deadlines. Acceptance into the Women Building Surveyors Program does not mean automatic acceptance into a relevant course. Please reach out if you have any questions about your training options.
Yes, you can accept a Free TAFE for Priority Courses place if you are eligible. Your Council may use funding for any relevant Student Services & Amenities Fees and to support you in other ways.
Acceptance into the Women Building Surveyors Program does not guarantee a place in one of the relevant training courses. You must apply directly, and meet all the admission criteria to be eligible to be considered for an offer. Offers are made at the discretion of the relevant institution in line with their respective admissions criteria.
There is a maximum amount of $150,000 for 40 successful councils over two financial years. This is split of $75,000 per year.
If a successful candidate is not enrolled to complete the second year, the council will not receive the second $75,000 allocation.
Should a council not have an identified candidate for a February 2021 enrolment, an application should still be completed and submitted with information on the recruitment process to be undertaken.
Please note, councils that nominate existing staff members will be given preference.
Currently, the Victorian Building Authority only recognises the qualifications that are provided through Victoria University.
The VBA is working towards expanding the recognition of building surveyors that have trained with an interstate training operator.
Further information regarding this matter will be communicated as it becomes available.
Funding is primarily available for the enrolment of the successful candidate in an eligible course.
It can also be used for further professional development opportunities in building surveying, student memberships to organisations such as AIBS to access support services and information sessions, travel and accommodation costs associated with attending the building surveying courses or any other professional development activities/training, the purchase of any equipment that may be required to undertake a building surveying course and to supplement the candidate’s salary while undertaking a building surveying course.
The Academic Course Listing for Victoria includes:
* Building Surveyor Unlimited (Level 1)
Bachelor of Building Surveying from Victoria University – 3 Year AQF level 7 qualification.
* Building Surveyor Limited (Level 2)
Bachelor of Building Surveying from Victoria University; or a 2 Year Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (CPC60115 or CPC60121) from a Registered Training Organisation in Victoria.
* Building Inspector (unlimited)
Bachelor of Building Surveying from Victoria University – 3 Year AQF level 7 qualification.
* Building Inspector (limited)
Bachelor of Building Surveying from Victoria University; or a 2 Year Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (CPC60115 or CPC60121) from a Registered Training Organisation in Victoria.
Applications will be assessed in January and applicants will be notified from by mid/late January 2021.