How to become a construction manager
Lead the teams that shape skylines. Learn the skills, courses and practical steps to become a construction manager.
Ever looked at a building and thought, someone had to wrangle all of that? That’s the construction manager, the person keeping plans on track, people aligned and work moving. It’s a field with real scale: over 1.3 million people work in construction, contributing around 7% of Australia’s GDP*, across everything from homes and commercial builds to major infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
If you like solving problems, keeping things running smoothly, and seeing decisions turn into something you can literally walk around in, becoming a construction manager could be your blueprint.
And at Swinburne, you can build your path your way. Start with a TAFE qualification and progress seamlessly into a bachelor degree then onto postgraduate study. Our mix of vocational and higher-education options means you can gain practical skills first, then move into leadership and project management as your career grows.
It’s a field with range, too. You might lead a residential build one year, then coordinate a transport upgrade or wind farm project the next, building your reputation one project at a time.
Ready to lay the groundwork to become a construction manager? Here’s what you need to know.
2 steps to become a construction manager
Becoming a construction manager takes two steps: choosing the right course and gaining practical experience. From TAFE pathway courses through to postgraduate degrees, you'll find the right course to match your experience, education and career goals. At Swinburne, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is built into our courses, so you'll graduate job-ready.
1. Get a qualification
Start on the tools, grow your skills, step into leadership. From vocational training to bachelor and postgraduate study, you can keep building your qualification as your career develops.
Bachelor degree
Eyeing a future as a Building Information Modelling (BIM) Specialist, Construction Manager or Quantity Surveyor? The Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) gives you the know-how to guide a build — from the big-picture planning to the everyday calls that keep things moving.
You’ll work with real industry tech in our Trimble Technology Lab and Construction Simulation Hub, developing digital and planning skills that reflect how projects run today and where the industry is heading.
From your first semester, you’ll get real industry experience by working on a project grounded in sustainable and humanitarian engineering, the kind of real-world challenge construction teams face every day. As you move through the degree, you can also apply for internships or 6- or 12-month professional placements, giving you hands-on experience on active construction and infrastructure projects.
Key units of study include:
By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to guide a build from plan to reality — managing the people, processes and practical decisions that keep things on track.
Associate degree
The Associate Degree in Engineering (Civil) is accredited by Engineers Australia at the level of engineering associate and gives you the civil engineering foundations behind the built environment, from transport networks to water systems and community infrastructure. It prepares you for roles such as Junior Engineer, Engineering Officer or Associate Engineer.
Learning centres on practical, technical skills used on real civil projects — surveying, drafting, materials, site coordination and construction methods. Industry learning is woven through, giving familiarity with professional tools, workflows and on-site collaboration.
It also works as a pathway into the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) , providing a clear route toward higher responsibility and construction leadership roles.
Job outcomes (after two years):
Junior Engineer
Engineering Officer
Associate Engineer
Postgraduate study
The Master of Construction and Infrastructure Management is for people aiming to step into senior management and leadership roles across construction and infrastructure — from Construction Manager to Project Manager and beyond.
You’ll build the advanced skills to manage every stage of large-scale projects: coordinating teams and equipment, overseeing budgets and resources, and navigating technical and engineering decisions. Expect to work with advanced digital tools and contemporary project management approaches that reflect how the industry is evolving.
Key areas of study include:
This degree is accredited by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS).
Ready to build your next level?
If you already hold an approved four-year Honours-level degree in Engineering or a related field, you may be eligible for the Master of Construction Management Practice - an intensive one-year program focused on leadership, project control and digital innovation.
Explore the one-year Master of Construction Management Practice.
TAFE course
The nationally recognised Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is accredited under the Building Act for builder’s registration, giving you a clear pathway towards becoming a Domestic Builder or Commercial Builder.
It builds the core foundations of construction management, covering the theory and practical skills needed to work across residential, commercial and low-rise industrial projects, from planning and scheduling to site coordination and construction methods.
On completion, graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) or Commercial Builder (Limited – Low Rise).
Open to both domestic and international students, this qualification also works as a pathway into the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) for those wanting to move into broader construction management roles.
What you’ll learn:
tendering and costing
planning and scheduling
construction technology and site management
reading and interpreting building plans.
There are flexible study options (day, evening, online, blended, full-time or part-time) so you can fit study around work and life commitments. Eligible learners may also be able to access Free TAFE, Skills First or other government subsidies.
2. Gain experience
Construction is hands-on, so learning should be too. At Swinburne, industry experience is built in — through Work Integrated Learning (WIL), which can include internships, workplace placements, industry projects and more. The format varies across course levels, but the purpose is the same: build real confidence on real projects, so you’re prepared for your next role or study step.
Bachelor degree
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities are a feature of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours). These range from industry-linked project units such as the Humanitarian Engineering Project, the Digital Engineering Project, and the Application of Digital Technologies for Construction, through to optional 6- or 12-month professional placements, which are subject to a competitive selection process.
You can find the details for professional placements in the Bachelor of Construction Management handbook.
Across industry project units and placements, you’ll engage with real project challenges in different ways. Industry project units focus on applying your learning to contemporary, real-world problems through structured academic tasks, reflection and feedback.
Placements, by contrast, immerse you in professional construction environments over an extended period, where you learn on the job alongside industry professionals. Together, these experiences build practical skills, confidence and insight into how construction projects operate in the real world.
Associate degree
The Associate Degree in Engineering (Civil) puts you close to the action. You’ll build practical civil engineering skills that translate directly to construction and infrastructure projects — the parts of the built environment that shape how communities move, connect and live.
Hands-on experience is built in through the Professional Practice in Engineering unit, where you’ll connect with real engineering workplaces. Previous students have completed their experience with organisations like KBR, GHD, Oberix Group and Enviropacific, giving you a practical feel for how civil and construction projects run day-to-day.
Industry-connected units such as Technology in an Indigenous Context Project, Digital Engineering Project, and the Engineering Capstone Project, give you space to work through real challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and develop the confidence to contribute meaningfully to professional project teams.
Postgraduate study
As part of the Master of Construction and Infrastructure Management, you’ll complete the CVE80001 Research Paper, meeting AQF Level 9 standards. This is where you’ll analyse complex construction challenges and develop strategic, evidence-based solutions — skills that support leadership-level decision making.
You’ll be guided by experienced academics and may connect your research to real work environments. Your project may also be considered for publication or conference presentation, adding weight to your professional profile.
This process strengthens career-ready capabilities like independent thinking, problem-solving, systematic analysis and clear professional communication — the kind used in project briefings, stakeholder reporting and senior leadership discussions.
Explore our building and construction courses
Build your construction management career with Swinburne.
How long will it take to become a construction manager?
Start hands-on, move into broader coordination and leadership, and step up again when you’re ready. Swinburne’s construction management courses are designed to support your career’s steady progression.
Quick facts about construction management
Job growth
7% to 20291
Job satisfaction
4.3/52
Average salary
$129.5K3
What skills do construction managers need?
Technical skills:
- interpret architectural drawings and specifications
- prepare tenders and contracts
- knowledge of building codes and legislation
- negotiate tenders, contracts and projects in progress
- plan submission to local authorities.
Management and leadership:
- project management
- resource allocation and coordination
- consult with peers and construction industry professionals
- cross-function team management
- written and verbal communication.
Study building and construction management at Swinburne
Courses and study pathways
Duration:
From 18 months full-time or part-time equivalent.
Entry requirements:
VCE or relevant work experience.
Future study pathways:
Successful completion guarantees entry with credit into the Bachelor of Construction (Honours).
Recommended courses:
Duration:
4 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Entry requirements:
Successful completion of VCE, complete or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees.
Career outcomes:
- Construction Manager
- Quantity Surveyor
- Project Manager
- Building Information Modelling Specialist
Recommended course:
Duration:
2 years or part-time equivalent.
Entry requirements:
Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher in an approved discipline from a recognised education institution or equivalent degree, or a Graduate Certificate in Construction Management.
Career outcomes:
- Construction Manager
- Project Manager
- entrepreneur (build a startup selling your product design)
Recommended course:
Accreditation:
Why study construction management at Swinburne?
Frequently asked questions
Construction management is the planning, coordination and oversight of building and infrastructure projects. It brings together design, materials, people, timelines, budgets and safety requirements to ensure a project is delivered to the agreed standard. It’s about understanding how all the moving parts of a build fit together — and guiding the process from concept to completion.
Explore our construction management courses to see where your pathway could begin.
Think of the construction manager as the steady centre of a project — the person everyone turns to when the question is, “Okay, what happens next?” You’ll coordinate trades and contractors, track timelines and budgets, keep the site safe and compliant, problem-solve on the fly, and make sure the build stays true to the plan and quality expectations. It’s equal parts people leadership, communication and practical decision-making.
If you’re exploring your study options, you can chat with a Future Student Advisor.
You don’t have to have a degree to work in construction management in Australia, but it’s a very common pathway because of the technical, planning and leadership responsibilities involved. Around one-third of construction managers (about 32%) hold a bachelor’s degree6 ,which reflects what many employers look for when hiring for coordination or site leadership roles.
If you want to work your way up, you can start with the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) or the Associate Degree in Engineering (Civil) and then progress into the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) when you’re ready.
The guaranteed entry ATAR for 2026 is 70. If your ATAR is lower, you may still be considered — selection criteria like subject adjustments, pathways and equity schemes can all come into play.
If you’d like help working out what this means for you, you can chat with a Future Student Advisor for guidance.
No, you don’t need an ATAR to start studying construction management at Swinburne. There are multiple entry pathways, including the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) and the Associate Degree in Engineering (Civil), which can both lead into the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours).
For those applying directly to the bachelor’s degree, the 2026 guaranteed entry ATAR is 70, although applicants with different backgrounds and experiences are also considered.
These roles work side by side, but they focus on different parts of the project.
Architects shape the overall vision — how a space looks, feels and functions.
Civil engineers figure out how that vision can be built safely and with structural integrity, translating design into technical plans.
Construction managers then take those plans and run the build, coordinating teams, materials, timeframes and budgets to bring the project to life smoothly and to standard.
You can explore Swinburne courses in engineering and architecture and chat with a Future Student Advisor for support.
You’ll learn in spaces that reflect where the industry is heading. This includes the Trimble Technology Lab — an Australian-first environment with digital tools used across modern construction, engineering and design workplaces. You’ll also work within Swinburne’s Construction Simulation Hub, home to the Digital Modelling Precinct and Hologram Visualisation Zone, where you can explore and test building concepts in immersive, data-driven ways.
* Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Job growth: Australian Jobs Report, Construction.
- Job Satisfaction: SEEK AU
- Average Construction Manager salary: au.jobted.com
- QILT Outcomes Survey 2024
- US News: Best Global Universities (https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/swinburne-university-of-technology-528823)
- Jobs and Skills Australia
Explore construction management courses
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