“Building biology is the evaluation of health hazards like allergens, toxicants and electromagnetic fields in the built environment, and provides strategies to address exposure and/or source control and abatement”. Nicole Bijlsma. What is Building Biology? Building biology is a science that investigates the health hazards in the built environment. This can be anything from chemicals in building materials and household products to lead dust, noxious gases, house dust mites, allergens, mould, electromagnetic fields, drinking water contaminants and geopathic stress. The industry began in Germany in the 1970s in response to the number of sick ‘energy-efficient buildings created to conserve energy costs during the oil embargo. For more information, click HERE. The nationally accredited 10913NAT Advanced Diploma of Building Biology is the first and only government accredited course of its kind in Australia that provides the knowledge and the skills to work as a professional Building Biologist. The course is a two-year full time / four-year part-time course consisting of eleven subjects (ten core and one elective) that is primarily conducted online (a total of 2,100 hours). Students are trained to identify and address health hazards in the built environment (residential) from mould and electromagnetic fields to allergens and chemicals using the latest technologies. Students are also trained on how to design healthy homes to cater for people with allergies, electromagnetic field and chemical sensitivities. The course content suits the needs of a range of health and allied professionals including general practitioners, naturopaths and nutritionists; building and construction professionals such as surveyors, architects, design consultants, interior designers and builders; trades such as electricians, restorers, mould remediators, pest controllers and anybody seeking a meaningful career. Career opportunities Demand for building biologists has increased significantly since the Parliamentary Inquiries into Mould (2018), Electromagnetic Radiation (2001) and 5G (2019). In addition, the growing body of evidence associating mould, electromagnetic fields, allergens and toxicants with adverse health effects coupled with greater awareness by clinicians regarding environmental medicine, has significantly increased demand for Building Biology services. Most graduates work in private practice conducting assessments in electromagnetic fields, mould, allergen and chemical testing in residential dwellings, and obtain referrals by aligning themselves with integrative clinicians, health practitioners, mould remediators, realtors and building designers. Some of our graduates have been employed as an expert witnesses in legal disputes (VCAT, supreme court etc) including a landmark court case at the Supreme Court, which resulted in a multi-million dollar payout in favour of the tenant and changes to the Commercial Tenancy Agreements Act for water-damaged buildings. Funding Options Funding grants available to eligible students (click the link to determine conditions) include: Return to Work Program for women based in NSW ($5000 grant). Contact: Service NSW. 13 77 88 Skills Checkpoint Program for older workers’ (40 years or older). Contact: Busy at Work (13 28 79). Mid Career Checkpoint. Contact: Busy at Work (13 28 79). Entry requirements Most students are aged between 25 and 60 and do not have a science, health or building background. Whilst candidates are not required…