Frequently Asked Questions

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 Queensland Edition is the QBCC-approved course for the Completed Residential Building Inspection licence.

You need both:

• a Certificate IV, Diploma or Degree in Building and Construction; and
• a QBCC builder's licence with at least five years' experience as a licensed builder.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. Trainer support is available by email or phone. Call 1800 248 249 or email trainer@australianinspectortraining.com.au.

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

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

There are two parts:

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.

No. The practical inspection is unsupervised. You'll be given access to AIT's inspection app to complete your report.

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.

Your trainer will give you feedback and may ask you to revise and resubmit it.

A Certificate of Completion – Pre-Purchase Residential Building Inspector QLD. Keep it: you'll need to submit it with your QBCC licence application.

It depends on your volume, prices and costs. As a guide, 2026 market surveys put a building-only pre-purchase inspection at roughly $350–$700 in Brisbane, and a combined building and pest inspection at roughly $500–$800 or more. Prices vary with the size, age, access and location of the property. These figures are general market information, not a promise of earnings.

Besides pre-purchase inspections, inspectors often offer pre-sale reports, strata and unit inspections, dilapidation reports, new-home stage and handover inspections, and defect reports. Check that each service is within your licence scope and covered by your insurance.

Two options are available:

1. Pay Upfront: $1,195 (save $300 on the full price of $1,495)
2. Payment Plan: $695 on enrolment, then four weekly payments of $150

The discount is only available with the upfront payment option.

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.

Due to the types of courses on offer, AIT is unable to provide students with any form of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits.

No. You do not require a USI number for this course.

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.

Yes. The Combined Pre-Purchase Residential Building and Pest Inspector QLD course bundles this course with General Pest Management (CPPUPM3005, CPPUPM3006, CPPUPM3018) and Timber Pest Management (CPPUPM3008, CPPUPM3010).

• Cost: $3,685 upfront (includes a $500 bundle discount), or $985 on enrolment then six weekly payments of $475
• Study: About 240 hours (160 online and 80 supervised placement); usually 10–12 weeks
• Access: 9 months from enrolment
• Practical: One building inspection (unsupervised); 20 pest treatments, and 10 timber pest inspections and 10 treatments, supervised. You arrange supervision yourself (about $1,200 + GST per pest course)
• Entry: QBCC builder's licence with five years' experience; Certificate IV, Diploma or Degree in Building and Construction; Australian citizen or permanent resident (pest courses)
• You Receive: Certificate of Completion (building inspection) and Statements of Attainment (General and Timber Pest Management)
• Leads to: QBCC Completed Residential Building Inspection licence; Queensland Health Pest Management Licence – Timber Pests; QBCC Termite Management – Chemical licence

Registered Training Organisation number 41516

St Patrick Institute of Technology Pty Ltd trading as Australian Inspector Training