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Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-Purchase Residential Building Inspector
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About the course
What is this course?
The Pre-Purchase Residential Building Inspector Course trains experienced builders to inspect completed homes and write pre-purchase reports that meet AS 4349.1-2007 Inspection of buildings – Pre-purchase inspections – Residential buildings. The National Edition is designed for people who want to work as inspectors anywhere in Australia outside Queensland.
Who is this course for?
Experienced building industry professionals who want a career change, a second income, or a way to add inspections to an existing building business. The course is not designed for beginners.
What are the entry requirements?
You need a Certificate IV, Diploma or Degree in Building and Construction.
I want to work in Queensland. Is this the right course?
No. Queensland is the only state that licenses pre-purchase inspectors, and the licence requires a QBCC-approved course. Enrol in the Queensland Edition instead.
What will I learn?
The course contains 10 modules:
- Introduction
- Customer Service Skills
- Effective Communication
- Australian Standard AS 4349
- Pre-Engagement Agreement
- Pre-Inspection Considerations
- Site Inspection Procedures and Techniques
- Report Writing
- Insurance and Legal Implications
- State and Territory Requirements
Module 10 explains how licensing, seller-report schemes, regulators, limitation periods and liability rules differ across the states and territories.
Working as an inspector
Do I need a licence to be a building inspector?
There are no specific licence for pre-purchase building inspections in states and territories outside of Queensland. However, clients, insurers and courts still expect you to be competent and to follow AS 4349.1. Insurers in particular may not provide you with professional indemnity insurance unless meet minimum education and experience requirements in building and construction. Some related services, such as timber pest inspections or statutory building inspections, may need their own licence or registration in your state.
Do I need to be a licensed builder?
It isn't a legal requirement in most states, but a builder's licence and experience in that capacity is strongly recommended. In WA, for example, industry practice is for inspectors to be registered builders. Insurers in particular may not provide you with professional indemnity insurance unless meet minimum education and experience requirements in building and construction.
Who regulates inspectors then?
In practice, insurers do. To get professional indemnity insurance you will generally need at least a Certificate IV in Building and Construction, completion of a course like this one, and relevant building experience (generally 2 to 5 years). Insurers also expect you to inspect and report in line with AS 4349.1, and not doing so may void your cover.
Are there special rules in the ACT?
Yes. ACT sellers must provide building and pest reports before marketing a home. Inspectors preparing these reports need at least $500,000 professional indemnity insurance and must not be related to the seller. Module 10 covers the details.
What is happening in Victoria?
In March 2026 the Victorian Government proposed requiring vendors to pay for building and pest reports for all prospective buyers, with legislation planned for 2027 if re-elected. If it goes ahead, it could greatly increase demand for inspections and is likely to bring minimum requirements for inspectors.
What insurance will I need?
Professional indemnity insurance (at least $1 million is commonly expected, and many inspectors carry $2–5 million) and public liability insurance ($10–20 million).
Do I need a separate licence to do pest inspections?
Timber pest inspections under AS 4349.3 need separate training and, in some states, a pest management licence. This course covers building inspections only. AIT's Combined Pre-Purchase Residential Building and Pest Inspector course covers both.
Study and delivery
How is the course delivered?
Online and self-paced through AIT's Learning Management System (LMS). You can study at any time, and each module saves your place so you can stop and come back. There are no live tutorials or set online times, and you don't need advanced computer skills.
How long does it take?
The course takes about 40 hours of study, including the ten modules and your practical inspection and report. Most students finish in 4 to 6 weeks studying in the evenings and on weekends.
How long do I have to finish?
You have 3 months from the date of enrolment. If you need more time, extensions are available in 4-week blocks at $300 each, up to a maximum of two extensions.
Do I have to attend any classes?
No. All study is online. The only activity away from your computer is your practical inspection, which you arrange yourself at a suitable house such as your own, a friends or a family members. It needs to be over 5 years old so you can identify some issues.
Can I get help while I study?
Yes. Trainer support is available by email or phone. Call 1800 248 249 or email trainer@australianinspectortraining.com.au.
What equipment do I need?
You will need the following:
- A desktop computer or laptop to complete the online learning modules.
- A smartphone to download the Formitize app to complete the inspection report.
- Safety boots and protective clothing to undertake the inspection
- Safety boots, protective clothing, ladder, torch or headlamp, tape measure and spirit level to undertake the inspection
Do I need any insurance cover?
Yes. You need Personal Accident Insurance cover for the practical inspection component. Many Australian insurers and brokers sell it as a standalone policy, and some offer short-term or activity-based versions. You should also obtain Public Liability Insurance, which covers injury you cause to other people or damage to their property
Assessment
How am I assessed?
There are two parts:
1. Module quizzes: a scored multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module, with 9 to 12 questions. You need 80% to pass each quiz.
2. Practical inspection: you inspect a real house, unsupervised, and complete a full pre-purchase report using AIT's inspection app. A trainer assesses it against AS 4349.1.
You are assessed as competent when you have passed all ten quizzes and your trainer has accepted your report.
What if I fail a quiz?
You can try again as many times as you need. The questions are shuffled on each attempt, and the LMS records your best score. After a failed attempt you can see which questions you got wrong.
What house can I use for the practical inspection?
Your own home, or a family member's or friend's, with the owner's written permission if it isn't yours. The property must be a detached house at least 5 years old. Don't use a newly built home: a pre-purchase inspection assesses wear, maintenance and the effects of ageing, which a new home rarely shows, and your trainer won't accept a report on a property less than 5 years old. A single-storey or low-set house of 3–4 bedrooms, on a fairly flat block, with a standard roof pitch is ideal. Module 8 explains how to choose a property and prepare.
Do I need someone to supervise my inspection?
No. The practical inspection is unsupervised. You'll be given access to AIT's inspection app to complete your report.
What if part of the house is unsafe to reach?
Don't go there. Record it as a limitation in your report. Your trainer is assessing your judgement, not how much of the house you reached.
What if a report isn't accepted first time?
Your trainer will give you feedback and may ask you to revise and resubmit it.
Certificate and after the course
What do I receive when I finish?
A Certificate of Completion – Pre-Purchase Residential Building Inspector. Use it to show clients, referrers and insurers that you have completed recognised training.
What should I do after the course?
1. Check the rules in the state where you will work (Module 10).
2. Arrange professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
3. Set up your agreement, report template and records system, and have your agreement reviewed by a lawyer.
4. Start building credibility and referrals. The Career Guide explains how.
What does a building inspector earn?
It depends on your volume, prices and costs. As a guide, 2026 market surveys put a building-only pre-purchase inspection at roughly $400–$800 or more in Sydney and Melbourne, and a combined building and pest inspection at roughly $550–$1,000 or more. Prices are often lower in regional areas. The Career Guide includes a worked example and explains the costs of running a practice. These figures are general market information, not a promise of earnings.
What other work can I do as an inspector?
Besides pre-purchase inspections, inspectors often offer pre-sale and vendor reports, strata and unit inspections, dilapidation reports, new-home stage and handover inspections, and defect reports. Check whether your state requires a licence for each service and that your insurance covers it.
Enrolment, fees and policies
How much does the course cost?
Two option are available:
The discount is only available with the upfront payment option.
- Pay Upfront: $1,195 (save $300 on the full price of $1,495)
- Payment Plan: $695 on enrolment, then four weekly payments of $150
The discount is only available with the upfront payment option.
What is the refund policy?
You have a 7-day cooling off period from the date of enrolment to cancel your course and ask for a refund. A $300 administration fee is applicable. You must request the cancellation in writing (email is fine) within the cooling off period.
Can I get credit for previous study?
Due to the types of courses on offer, AIT is unable to provide students with any form of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits.
Do I need a Unique Student Identifier (USI)?
No. You will not require a USI number for this course.
How do I make a complaint or appeal a result?
AIT will ensure that it handles complaints and appeals fairly and without bias. You can email complaints to info@australianinspectortraining.com.au. We will attempt to resolve the complaint within 5 working days.
How do I enrol?
- Click the Enrol button on the course webpage.
- Complete your student information online.
- Pay securely online.
- Receive your login link via email.
- Start studying.
Related courses
Can I study building and pest inspection together?
Yes. The Combined Pre-Purchase Residential Building and Pest Inspector course bundles this course with Timber Pest Management (nationally accredited units CPPUPM3008 and CPPUPM3010).
- Cost: $2,390 upfront, or $990 on enrolment then four weekly payments of $375
- Study: About 140 hours; most students finish in 6–8 weeks
- Access: 6 months from enrolment
- Practical: One building inspection (unsupervised); 10 timber pest inspections and 10 treatments supervised by a licensed timber pest inspector
- Entry: Certificate IV, Diploma or Degree in Building and Construction
- You Receive: Certificate of Completion – Pre-Purchase Residential Building Inspector, and Statement of Attainment – Timber Pest Management
Who is AIT?
What is the RTO's official registration number?
Registered Training Organisation number 41516
What is the RTO's official name?
St Patrick Institute of Technology Pty Ltd trading as Australian Inspector Training
