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CPP50121 Diploma of Surveying

National ID
CPP50121
WA Course Code
BGI9
CRICOS code
104885D
Person working with tools

Why choose this course?

Expand your knowledge and experience of surveying with this qualification. This course will further your skills by teaching you how to conduct advanced Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data collection and set out surveys, create engineering drawings and perform advanced surveying computations. You will be trained in the operation of sophisticated surveying equipment and software for conducting more complex engineering surveys, such as road designs.

This diploma has a focus on geodetic surveying including how to conduct geodetic surveys and perform computations. You will also develop industry specific skills including how to design basic engineering structures and plan spatial data collection. A large selection of electives is available to choose from, such as producing maps for land management purposes, producing mine drawings and how to set out stormwater systems.

On completion of this course you will be eligible for an associate membership of the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (Engineering and Mining Commission).

If you wish to extend your career in this exciting industry then you can also study the CPP60121 Advanced Diploma of Surveying.

Career opportunities

  • Mineral Processing Technician
  • Surveying Assistant

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Completion of CPP41721 Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services is required for entry into this course.

Your study options

Semester 2, 2024

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 2, 2024
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)
How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $15,400
  • Resources fee: $800
  • Materials fee: $250

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 16 units. These 16 are comprised of 8 core units and 8 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CPPSSI5047 Conduct GNSS surveys
  • CPPSSI5048 Conduct engineering surveys
  • CPPSSI5053 Perform complex surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5054 Perform geodetic surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5057 Conduct precision surveys
  • CPPSSI5058 Conduct geodetic surveys
  • CPPSSI5061 Survey subsurface utility information
  • CPPSSI5065 Design basic engineering structures
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • AHCLPW410 Produce maps for land management purposes
  • CPPSSI5031 Develop a spatial data collection plan
  • CPPSSI5032 Capture new spatial data
  • CPPSSI5046 Set out roads and stormwater systems
  • CPPSSI5060 Develop spreadsheets for spatial data
  • CPPSSI5062 Conduct photogrammetric mapping
  • CPPSSI6021 Conduct open pit mine surveys
  • CPPSSI6022 Produce mine drawings

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include:

observation where an assessor will directly observe your performance of activities in a real or simulated workplace; written assessments including case studies, projects, workbooks, presentations, reports, and research projects; questioning in the form of written question and answers, tests, online quizzes or verbal questions and answers, and a portfolio which includes samples of your work, observation checklists, third-party reports,  training records, journals, logbooks or work diaries.  

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. Learning resources may include access to specialised equipment and computer software (Magnet and CorelDraw), Blackboard, PowerPoint presentations, learning guides, workbooks and handouts. Facilities and equipment may include access to surveying equipment such as Leica TS15 TS16, DNA10, LS10, Hemisphere GNSS, Leica ts15, simulator software, industry specific calculator; HP Prime, surveying software (Surpac, Magnet, CorelDraw, ARCGIS), site with varying topography and vegetation density, printer and hardware.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)
How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $15,400
  • Resources fee: $800
  • Materials fee: $250

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 16 units. These 16 are comprised of 8 core units and 8 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CPPSSI5047 Conduct GNSS surveys
  • CPPSSI5048 Conduct engineering surveys
  • CPPSSI5053 Perform complex surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5054 Perform geodetic surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5057 Conduct precision surveys
  • CPPSSI5058 Conduct geodetic surveys
  • CPPSSI5061 Survey subsurface utility information
  • CPPSSI5065 Design basic engineering structures
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • AHCLPW410 Produce maps for land management purposes
  • CPPSSI5031 Develop a spatial data collection plan
  • CPPSSI5032 Capture new spatial data
  • CPPSSI5046 Set out roads and stormwater systems
  • CPPSSI5060 Develop spreadsheets for spatial data
  • CPPSSI5062 Conduct photogrammetric mapping
  • CPPSSI6021 Conduct open pit mine surveys
  • CPPSSI6022 Produce mine drawings

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include:

observation where an assessor will directly observe your performance of activities in a real or simulated workplace; written assessments including case studies, projects, workbooks, presentations, reports, and research projects; questioning in the form of written question and answers, tests, online quizzes or verbal questions and answers, and a portfolio which includes samples of your work, observation checklists, third-party reports,  training records, journals, logbooks or work diaries.  

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. Learning resources may include access to specialised equipment and computer software (Magnet and CorelDraw), Blackboard, PowerPoint presentations, learning guides, workbooks and handouts. Facilities and equipment may include access to surveying equipment such as Leica TS15 TS16, DNA10, LS10, Hemisphere GNSS, Leica ts15, simulator software, industry specific calculator; HP Prime, surveying software (Surpac, Magnet, CorelDraw, ARCGIS), site with varying topography and vegetation density, printer and hardware.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 2, 2025

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 2, 2025
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)
How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $15,400
  • Resources fee: $800
  • Materials fee: $250

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 16 units. These 16 are comprised of 8 core units and 8 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CPPSSI5047 Conduct GNSS surveys
  • CPPSSI5048 Conduct engineering surveys
  • CPPSSI5053 Perform complex surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5054 Perform geodetic surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5057 Conduct precision surveys
  • CPPSSI5058 Conduct geodetic surveys
  • CPPSSI5061 Survey subsurface utility information
  • CPPSSI5065 Design basic engineering structures
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • AHCLPW410 Produce maps for land management purposes
  • CPPSSI5031 Develop a spatial data collection plan
  • CPPSSI5032 Capture new spatial data
  • CPPSSI5046 Set out roads and stormwater systems
  • CPPSSI5060 Develop spreadsheets for spatial data
  • CPPSSI5062 Conduct photogrammetric mapping
  • CPPSSI6021 Conduct open pit mine surveys
  • CPPSSI6022 Produce mine drawings

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include:

observation where an assessor will directly observe your performance of activities in a real or simulated workplace;written assessments including case studies, projects, workbooks, presentations, reports, and research projects;questioning in the form of written question and answers, tests, online quizzes or verbal questions and answers, anda portfolio which includes samples of your work, observation checklists, third-party reports, training records, journals, logbooks or work diaries.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

Learning resources may include access to specialised equipment and computer software (Magnet and CorelDraw), Blackboard, PowerPoint presentations, learning guides, workbooks and handouts.

Facilities and equipment may include access to surveying equipment such as Leica TS15 TS16, DNA10, LS10, Hemisphere GNSS, Leica ts15, simulator software, industry specific calculator; HP Prime, surveying software (Surpac, Magnet, CorelDraw, ARCGIS), site with varying topography and vegetation density, printer and hardware.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)
How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $15,400
  • Resources fee: $800
  • Materials fee: $250

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 16 units. These 16 are comprised of 8 core units and 8 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CPPSSI5047 Conduct GNSS surveys
  • CPPSSI5048 Conduct engineering surveys
  • CPPSSI5053 Perform complex surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5054 Perform geodetic surveying computations
  • CPPSSI5057 Conduct precision surveys
  • CPPSSI5058 Conduct geodetic surveys
  • CPPSSI5061 Survey subsurface utility information
  • CPPSSI5065 Design basic engineering structures
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • AHCLPW410 Produce maps for land management purposes
  • CPPSSI5031 Develop a spatial data collection plan
  • CPPSSI5032 Capture new spatial data
  • CPPSSI5046 Set out roads and stormwater systems
  • CPPSSI5060 Develop spreadsheets for spatial data
  • CPPSSI5062 Conduct photogrammetric mapping
  • CPPSSI6021 Conduct open pit mine surveys
  • CPPSSI6022 Produce mine drawings

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include:

observation where an assessor will directly observe your performance of activities in a real or simulated workplace;written assessments including case studies, projects, workbooks, presentations, reports, and research projects;questioning in the form of written question and answers, tests, online quizzes or verbal questions and answers, anda portfolio which includes samples of your work, observation checklists, third-party reports, training records, journals, logbooks or work diaries.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

Learning resources may include access to specialised equipment and computer software (Magnet and CorelDraw), Blackboard, PowerPoint presentations, learning guides, workbooks and handouts.

Facilities and equipment may include access to surveying equipment such as Leica TS15 TS16, DNA10, LS10, Hemisphere GNSS, Leica ts15, simulator software, industry specific calculator; HP Prime, surveying software (Surpac, Magnet, CorelDraw, ARCGIS), site with varying topography and vegetation density, printer and hardware.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

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  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

Last updated on November 30, 2022