How to become a Building Designer

Also called: Architectural Associate, Architectural Draftsperson

Creates concepts, designs and detailed documentation for buildings, renovations and extensions in consultation with builders, clients and consultants.

Main tasks

• Consults with builders, clients and consultants to understand design requirements and gather feedback on building designs
• Prepares initial design models for engineering and estimation purposes using BIM
• Takes measurements and dimensions, and performs other routine calculations for building or renovation design layouts
• Provides design recommendations to clients based on factors such as budget, building site constraints, and overall feasibility
• Produces architectural documentation for sketch design and to support applications to councils
• Prepares building designs, models, concepts and estimations using CAD, 3D modelling and BIM software
• Ensures building, renovation and extension designs comply with regulations and standards, and client, certifier and consultant requirements

Ways in

• University: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Kitchen and Bathroom Design (MSF40318); Diploma of Building Design (CPP50921); Advanced Diploma of Building Design (CPP60421); Graduate Diploma of Building Design (CPP80221); Certificate IV in Residential Drafting (CPP40121); Diploma of Civil Construction Design (RII50520)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $118,560 a year
• About 84,200 people work in this job group now, and about 96,100 are projected by 2035. (+14.2%)
• Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Related jobs

• Architectural Technician
• Detailer Drafter
• Landscape Designer
• Surveying Technician

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Building Designer?

Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Certificate IV in Kitchen and Bathroom Design; Diploma of Building Design.

How much does a Building Designer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $118,560 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Building Designer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2035, from about 84,200 to about 96,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Building Designer?

Not always. 43% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Certificate IV in Kitchen and Bathroom Design; Diploma of Building Design.

Will AI change the work of a Building Designer?

Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04