Building Designer Vs Architect Vs Draftsman

[NickMI]

I'm on a quest to start my own custom home design business. I've been in the residential construction industry for about 8 years now and the last 3-4 years I have self-taught myself a CAD program and with my knowledge of hands-on construction I was able to be a draftsman for a smaller custom home builder. Here in the US, really anyone can draft the plans, but they need to be sealed by an engineer. The company I was working for was charging $1.75 per sqft for a new set of plans- the engineer only charged us about $400 to seal the plans since I got to the point where he barely had to make any changes to the plans, all the rest was basically going to the company I was working for. I figured why not just keep the profits and do it myself lol. I can't technically call myself an "architect" like you said, but I'm hoping I can be successful in running my own business in designing new homes for clients and creating plans for them for a little cheaper than what they would pay at a traditional builder/engineering firm.

[stussysinglet]

Ive always been very interested in architecture, buildings, design/ graphic design.. I'm 41 and I'm considering a career change and doing a 2 year Advanced Diploma of Building Design course at Tafe at one of several places here in Melbourne.

I'm open to any sort of Job it could lead to... Particularly a draftsman or 3D Rendering. I have no existing study in the field and I'm questioning if doing this course at my age is worth it and how difficult it could be to build up work experience in a related field. Can you give me any thoughts or any advice? Is it realistic to to get in this field at my age and will this course open many doors for me.

Also can I ask what is the standard or most common computer software that is used in drafting/ building design here in Australia today. Would this course teach me well on how to use it. Assuming I do the course I would probably also get a tutor to help with learning the software.

Thanks