Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building

Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building

POSTGRADUATE

The Graduate Certificate that will expand your energy efficiency knowledge and sustainability horizon in the built environment.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 6 months
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$16,800 (2025 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 6 months
Fees:

AU$22,560 (2025 total)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building course provides you with a multidisciplinary environment which will introduce you to the study of the science, design and management of sustainable buildings.

This graduate certificate has been especially designed to suit the needs of current architects, engineers, project managers or other design professionals looking to gain further professional development in the build environment.

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building at RMIT?

Work-focused

This course is designed to build your ability to respond to current and emerging issues, trends and organisational needs.

Graduate job-ready

Build a foundation to progress or expand your career, or be prepared for further study.

Industry links

Visit professional sites, build network connections and hear from expert guest speakers on relevant topics.

You’ll receive a firm foundation to develop the skills and knowledge required to progress or diversify your professional practice or to undertake further study. For example, this is a pathway into the Master of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building course. You’ll also be able to work within the sustainable building design sector across diverse industry types and our graduates are highly sought after in the industry.

Details

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Learning and teaching

The Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building shows you how to apply your theoretical knowledge to your practice. It will also develop your ability to respond to current and emerging issues, trends and client/organisational needs.

You will engage in a range of learning activities, emphasising student-centred learning including individual and small group work, case study analyses, in-class discussions, peer to peer presentations, and work simulated scenarios. Your course material is informed by current and emerging local and global research in this field.

Assessment methods

Methods of assessment will vary based on subject requirements, but will include assignments, presentations, project reports, case studies, and more.

Learning at RMIT

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.

Through replicating industry and professional practice settings, we equip you to work in multidisciplinary teams.

These teams are involved in the development of sustainable design strategies and solutions for new and retrofitted buildings.

Industry bodies are involved actively in your learning through guest seminars and planned industry site visits.

The course will provide you with a foundation to further develop the skills and knowledge required to progress or diversify your professional practice and/or undertake further study internationally.

 

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

The Graduate Certificate of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building comprises of four core subjects.

Through your study in this graduate certificate, you will be introduced to project management, and explore building systems, sustainability in the built environment, thermodynamics and heat transfer for building science.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building
Program code: GC163
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building
City Campus
0.5 years full-time or part time equivalent
GC163
103226C
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years full-time or part time equivalent
Plan code
GC163
CRICOS
103226C
View plan
Graduate Certificate in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building
City Campus
0.5 years full-time
GC163
103226C
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years full-time
Plan code
GC163
CRICOS
103226C
View plan

The July intake is available for part-time study load only.

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

You may pursue many professional pathways, including work in private practice, state or local government, or in private practice as a consultant to building design or, property development projects.

Our graduates are employed by the Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD), architecture, engineering and building energy sectors including companies such as:

  • Sustainable Development Consultants Pty Ltd
  • Low Impact Development Consulting
  • ADP Consulting Engineering
  • Ark Resources
  • Umow Lai

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:

  • successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification);

OR

  • a minimum of 3 years significant work experience or professional practice related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.   

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

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 program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in  any discipline.

You may also be considered if you have a minimum of 3 years of significant work experience or professional practice related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Pathways

You can gain entry to this graduate certificate from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce your study load by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this program, you can continue your studies in GD189 Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building or MC209 Master of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building, subject to the program's entrance requirements and receive 48 credit points of advanced standing into either of these programs.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

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.

Upon successful completion of this graduate certificate, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

Fees

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2025 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$16,800* (2025 total).

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

  • You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

HECS-HELP Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

This program is approved for income support.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

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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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information