Why Civil Construction RTOs Need to Act Immediately
Engineers Australia (EA) has released an approved curriculum for the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design — and these changes are now essential for compliance, international recognition, and quality delivery.
Whether you’re currently offering RII50520 – Diploma of Civil Construction Design or RII60520 – Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design, you must ensure your programs align with the new framework set by EA to maintain the integrity of your delivery and support your students’ future pathways.
What’s New in the EA-Approved Curriculum?
1. Two-Year Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Delivery
Engineers Australia requires that the Diploma + Advanced Diploma combined must total a minimum of two years of full-time equivalent study.
- This equates to a minimum volume of learning of 1600–2000 hours.
- Current listed hours (e.g., 988–1040 hours for the Advanced Diploma) fall short of this requirement.
- This aligns with international standards under the Dublin Accord and ASQA guidance on course duration.
2. Mandated Unit Inclusions & Pre-requisite Structure
The approved curriculum introduces a detailed structure:
- Specific mandated units across Diploma and Advanced Diploma
- Clear unit sequencing, including Group B, C, and D electives
- Required pre-requisites to support a structured progression in learning
3. Capstone Project Requirement
A capstone assessment is recommended in the Advanced Diploma, ideally within the unit RIICWD601E – Manage civil works design processes, to showcase applied learning.
4. Embedded Professional Practice
- 30 days (6 weeks) of work-integrated learning or equivalent simulation is expected
- Can include real or simulated experiences, portfolios, and formative tasks
- Aligned with AMS-MAN-20, EA’s accreditation manual
5. Ethics and Sustainability Integration
- Units like CPPCOM4001 – Manage own work, professional development and ethical behaviour are now mandated
- RTOs must embed ethics, sustainability, and professional standards across the learning journey
The Problem for Most RTOs
Many RTOs are currently delivering only the training package minimums. However, these do not meet Engineers Australia’s expectations:
Diploma – RII50520
- May be delivered in under 900 hours at many RTOs
- Often lacks structured progression from Group B/D to Group C electives
- Ethics, sustainability, and contextualisation often missing
Advanced Diploma – RII60520
- Listed in Victorian guides at 988–1040 hours, far below the required 1800–2000 hour benchmark
- Lacks inclusion of mandated engineering-specific and BSB units contextualised to construction design
- Typically missing capstone assessments and work-integrated experiences
If your RTO continues to deliver using the old model, your students may not meet EA’s entry-to-practice standards, limiting international mobility and domestic recognition.
The Solution – VET Resources Has Done the Work for You
At VET Resources, we’ve carefully reviewed EA’s approved documents and:
- 📘 Mapped all required units and learning sequences
- 📝 Created audit-ready TAS documents for both Diploma and Advanced Diploma
- 🧠 Updated assessment tools to meet Engineers Australia’s entry-to-practice competency framework
- 🧰 Integrated simulated workplace learning and reflective tasks
- 📈 Ensured overall course structure supports a 2-year FTE delivery
With our materials, your RTO can confidently meet ASQA, EA, and international standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Do both the Diploma and Advanced Diploma need to be delivered over two years each?
A: No. Engineers Australia requires the combined delivery of the Diploma and Advanced Diploma to meet a total of two years full-time equivalent (approx. 1600–2000 hours).
Q2: What happens if our current Advanced Diploma delivery is only 1040 hours?
A: That delivery would fall short of EA’s expected volume of learning. You’ll need to extend the program or combine it with the Diploma to meet the required two-year FTE duration.
Q3: Are RTOs allowed to choose their own electives?
A: Yes, but EA has mandated a specific list of units and pre-requisites. RTOs must follow the approved structure for sequencing and grouping (Groups A–D, Advanced Diploma Group A/B).
Q4: What is the 30-day professional practice requirement?
A: EA expects students to complete 30 days (or equivalent) of workplace practice — this can be through actual placements, simulated environments, portfolios, or other structured experiential learning.
Q5: Can units be delivered in both qualifications (e.g., a BSB unit in the Diploma and Advanced Diploma)?
A: No. EA discourages repeating units across qualifications. Each qualification should include unique units to provide a broader learning experience.
Q6: What if our Diploma currently doesn’t include units like CPPCOM4001 (Ethics/Professional Behaviour)?
A: That would be non-compliant under the new curriculum. Units related to ethics and sustainability must be included and contextualised to engineering practice.
Ready to Future-Proof Your RTO?
RTOs must take action now to avoid non-compliance and ensure their students are receiving education that meets national and international expectations.
VET Resources offers:
- Fully mapped Diploma + Advanced Diploma training plans
- Compliant TAS documentation
- Contextualised assessments and learning resources
- Work simulation and project-based tasks
- Consultation support to transition smoothly
📩 Contact us today to access your complete EA-aligned resource package.
👉 Visit: www.vetresources.com.au
Disclaimer:
The information presented on the VET Resources blog is for general guidance only. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information. VET Resources is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Always consult a professional for advice tailored to your circumstances.
