Overview
This unit aims to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of auditing building layouts, fabric, detailing for regulatory and best-practice performance through design, construction and refurbishment phases of building projects.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
BLAR12034 Building Legislation 1 or BLAR11051 Construction Legislation 1.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
| Assessment Task | Part Weighting (% of assessment) |
Assessment Security Level | Gen AI Guidance Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Assessment 1 (25% of unit ) | |||
| Commercial Lease Building Inspection Options (Case Study) | 100% of 25% | Low | AI Integration (Authentic Professional Use) |
| 2. Assessment 2 (25% of unit ) | |||
| Residential Dwelling Condition Assessment and Asset Management Plan (Case Study) | 100% of 25% | Low | AI Integration (Authentic Professional Use) |
| 3. Assessment 3 (50% of unit · 2 parts ) | |||
| Part 1 – Defect Identification, Analysis and Reporting (Case Study) | 40% of 50% | Low | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
| Part 2 – Building defect live presentation with slides (Presentation) | 60% of 50% | High | No Gen AI Use |
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Academic Progression Policy and Procedure
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student
Students appreciated assessments that include real-world application.
The assessments will continue to be developed to retain their real-world practical applications so that students can achieve multiple learning benefits from these tasks.
Feedback from Student
Some students felt that Assessment 3 was a little off topic. They felt that it would make more sense to do a more advanced audit.
The topics for each assessment task draw on common themes experienced in the real world. The context of these assessment scenarios will be explained more clearly in the assessment task to ensure that students understand the reasoning behind it and the links to the relevant learning outcomes.
Feedback from Lecturer
Students found practical elements of the assessment tasks to be useful and practically useful for future building surveying roles.
Assessment tasks will continue to provide practical tasks such as creating checklists, reports and conducting physical inspections of buildings.
- Discuss the difference between building inspections, audits and condition assessments.
- Manage inspections/audits/assessments from engagement to finalisation.
- Manage inspections of buildings subject of complaints and disputes.
- Analyse and explain the benefits of good building asset management, including defect identification and rectification
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
|
1.
Assessment 1
(25% of unit )
Case Study
|
||||
|
2.
Assessment 2
(25% of unit )
Case Study
|
||||
|
3.
Assessment 3
(50% of unit · 2 parts
)
Part 1 -
Case Study
Part 2 -
Presentation
|
||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Camera and microphone for attending Zoom tutorials
- Zoom access
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.poulter@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Inspections and Audits
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Management of Information
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Organisation and Project Role
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Complaint and Dispute Investigation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Condition Assessment of Buildings
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 14 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Fixed Structure Asset Management
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Mid-Term Break
Begin Date: 21 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 04 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Termite Inspections
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 11 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Service Audits
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 18 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Dampness and Condensation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 25 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Structure Analysis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 01 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Post Incident Inspections
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 08 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Report Writing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1. Assessment 1 ( 25% of unit )
Case Study
Our customers at times will rely upon our professional guidance when making longer term built environment related decisions, such as leasing a commercial building. Our advice can assist the customer determine whether a building is suitable for their intended purpose, safe and within appropriate budgetary expectations.
This task will require you to consider a particular scenario associated with the intended lease of a commercial building for the purposes of a community use. Your advice to the customer will provide guidance on the intended lease of the property, differences between varying methods of building assessment and providing a range of considerations that the customer should understand from initial engagement through the finalisation.
The assessment task will require the development of a professional report to respond to each of the elements of the assessment.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas
Week 5 Wednesday (9 Dec 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Professional Report
Week 7 Wednesday (6 Jan 2027)
Grade and Marking Sheet Uploaded to Moodle
The assessment will address the following attributes:
- Clarity & succinctness of expression
- Adequate coverage of topics discussed
- Use of supporting information where appropriate and associated references.
- Original thought.
- Overall presentation and the ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Where appropriate the use of graphs, illustrations and other diagrams that visually support the context of your submission.
- Demonstration of the core knowledge associated with this course and appropriate application of this knowledge.
Your assessment should be produced in electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report.
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per the CQU requirements.
- Discuss the difference between building inspections, audits and condition assessments.
- Manage inspections/audits/assessments from engagement to finalisation.
- Analyse and explain the benefits of good building asset management, including defect identification and rectification
2. Assessment 2 ( 25% of unit )
Case Study
Where dwellings form part of a property portfolio, they are commonly subject to on-going condition assessments to understand their condition or performance levels.
Condition ratings support the development of asset management plans, which discusses the condition rating of the building and sets an appropriate management plan for that asset into the future with a view of renewing, maintaining, upgrading or possibly disposing of the asset.
Your tasks for this assessment is to undertake a condition inspection of a dwelling house, report on your condition assessment findings and to then develop a five year asset management plan citing the condition of the dwelling.
Week 9 Wednesday (20 Jan 2027) 11:59 pm AEST
Condition inspection records, AI developed and manually corrected asset management plans and reflective account
Week 11 Wednesday (3 Feb 2027)
Grade and Marking Sheet Uploaded to Moodle
The assessment will address the following attributes:
- Clarity & succinctness of expression
- Adequate coverage of topics discussed
- Use of supporting information where appropriate and associated references.
- Original thought.
- Overall presentation and the ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Where appropriate the use of graphs, illustrations and other diagrams that visually support the context of your submission.
- Demonstration of the core knowledge associated with this course and appropriate application of this knowledge.
Your assessment should be produced in electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report.
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per the CQU requirements.
- Discuss the difference between building inspections, audits and condition assessments.
- Manage inspections/audits/assessments from engagement to finalisation.
- Manage inspections of buildings subject of complaints and disputes.
3. Assessment 3 ( 50% of unit · 2 parts )
Part 1 - Case Study
This task of the assessment will require you to conduct a defect identification inspection and develop a report that examines these defects and possible reasons for their existence.
Defect identification, diagnosis and analysis inspections vary from condition assessments like what was completed in assessment 2 as they focus on indicators of possible failure in a built environment, rather than grading the condition of an asset for ongoing management purposes.
Week 11 Wednesday (3 Feb 2027) 11:59 pm AEST
Report
Exam Week Wednesday (17 Feb 2027)
Grades and Marking Sheet uploaded to Moodle
The assessment will address the following attributes:
- Clarity & succinctness of expression
- Adequate coverage of topics discussed
- Use of supporting information where appropriate and associated references.
- Original thought.
- Overall presentation and the ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Where appropriate the use of graphs, illustrations and other diagrams that visually support the context of your submission.
- Demonstration of the core knowledge associated with this course and appropriate application of this knowledge.
Your assessment should be produced in electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report.
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per the CQU requirements.
- Manage inspections of buildings subject of complaints and disputes.
- Analyse and explain the benefits of good building asset management, including defect identification and rectification
Part 2 - Presentation
Following your defect assessment and report, you are then tasked with presenting your findings to the owner/property manager on the key defects identified by your inspection and analysis.
Broadly this assessment process mirrors common processes undertaken by building inspectors in these circumstances where they conduct an inspection, identify defects, assess and investigate those defects, report on their findings and then verbally present their key findings.
Week 12 Wednesday (10 Feb 2027) 7:00 pm AEST
Live oral Presentation with supporting slides
Exam Week Wednesday (17 Feb 2027)
Grades and marking sheet uploaded to Moodle
The assessment will address the following attributes:
- Clarity & succinctness of expression
- Adequate coverage of topics discussed
- Use of supporting information where appropriate and associated references.
- Original thought.
- Overall presentation and the ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Where appropriate the use of graphs, illustrations and other diagrams that visually support the context of your submission.
- Demonstration of the core knowledge associated with this course and appropriate application of this knowledge.
Your presentation slides should be produced in electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report.
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per the CQU requirements.
- Manage inspections of buildings subject of complaints and disputes.
- Analyse and explain the benefits of good building asset management, including defect identification and rectification
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
