What is the Interior Design Diploma?
Go from thinking about a career in interior design to making it happen! The nationally accredited MSF50218 Diploma of Interior Design is the ideal course if you are wanting to work as a residential and/or commercial interior designer.
Gain the skills and knowledge needed to become an interior designer in as little as 2 years. Step into a role as an interior designer for a firm or establish your own successful design business like many of our amazing graduates!

Graduate with skills in Photoshop, inDesign and CAD along with hand drafting technical skills which you will combine with creative concepts and design understanding to imagine & create the perfect space.
When you complete you’ll have an extensive portfolio of work, essential industry knowledge and the contacts and confidence required to succeed in the interior design industry.
What are you waiting for?
*The Diploma of Interior Design is delivered and enrolled on behalf of Academy of Information Technology ABN 35 094 133 641; RTO 90511; CRICOS 02155J
To read more on AIT click here.
YOUR ISCD ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
It is recommended that students commit 20-25 hours per week to their study. The course is broken down into 4 study blocks of 26 weeks duration. Each study block includes dedicated Assessment weeks and 2 weeks break.
This course is delivered 100% online so you can easily fit learning into your lifestyle.
- 100% online – study anytime, anywhere on your chosen device!
- Work on real-life client briefs that utilizes the latest technology and methodologies to ensure you have a great learning experience that is engaging and fun.
- Up-to-date industry relevant content!
- Educator support and regular check-ins to make sure you stay on track!


COURSE OVERVIEW
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- The ability to generate ideas and concepts to create decorating solutions for interior spaces including materials and finishes, furniture layouts and materials boards for client presentations.
- An understanding of client analysis and expectations for design projects including project coordination, fees and scheduling.
- An extensive knowledge of colour theory and its application to design including interior scheming, finishes and the effects of lighting in interiors.
- In-depth knowledge of soft furnishings, furniture and spatial design.
- The ability to confidently source and style furniture and accessories in response to a client brief.
- The ability to produce architectural drawings including perspective drawings, drafting and rendering and AutoCAD to communicate concepts.
- Examine two and three-dimensional spatial planning.
- Understand the hard materials and techniques used in the construction of built environments.
Career Outcomes
After you complete the Diploma of Interior Design you’ll be able to secure an industry position through internships and support roles as an:
- Interior Designer
- Residential Stylist
- Property Stylist
- Business Owner
- Colour Consultant
- Magazine Stylist
- Interior Stylist for Photographers and Events
You can keep up to date with current jobs that are available now in the design industry on our job board.


With over 30 years of design industry
experience and a forward-thinking focus and
creative and supportive environment.

Work with our industry partners on design briefs
and graduate with real-world experience.

You can complete your Diploma online from
the comfort of your own home.
Course Structure (Diploma of Interior Design MSF50218)
The Diploma of Interior Design (MFS50218) is run over 104 weeks and is broken down into 4 study blocks. Each study block is 26 weeks and consists of dedicated assessment time and 2 weeks break between each block.
The Diploma of Interior Design (MFS50218) is run over 104 weeks and is broken down into 4 study blocks. Each study block is 26 weeks and consists of dedicated assessment time and 2 weeks break between each block.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students will have:
- The ability to generate ideas and concepts to create decorating solutions for interior spaces including materials and finishes, furniture layouts and materials boards for client presentations.
- An understanding of client analysis and expectations for design projects including project coordination, fees and scheduling.
- An extensive knowledge of colour theory and its application to design including interior scheming, finishes and the effects of lighting in interiors.
- In-depth knowledge of soft furnishings, furniture and spatial design.
- The ability to confidently source and style furniture and accessories in response to a client brief.
- The ability to produce architectural drawings including perspective drawings, drafting and rendering and AutoCAD to communicate concepts.
- Examine two and three-dimensional spatial planning.
- Understand the hard materials and techniques used in the construction of built environments.
Subject Areas
- Design process for 2D and 3D forms.
- Colour theory and application to design.
- Extended research of colour, finishes and the effects of lighting.
- Conceptualisation and the phases of the design process.
- Soft furnishings and their application in an interior space including suppliers, trades and specifications.
- Styling, providing interior styling services and researching and recommending furniture and accessories.
- Presentation of sample boards and specifications for clients.
- Developing your design identity and setting up your business.
- Drawing and documentation of design concepts and ideas.
- Illustration techniques and applications for any type of illustrative work relevant to a design brief using Photoshop and InDesign.
- Technical skills required to operate a range of computer aided drawings (CAD).
- Architectural styles and movements + their influence in interior design projects.
- Sustainability in design and reducing the negative environmental impacts of work practice.
- Understand the hard materials used in interior design.
- Design solutions for small commercial interior design projects.
Units of Competency*
COLOUR AND DESIGN
- CUADES302 Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
- CUADES301 Explore the use of colour
COMMUNICATIONS 1
- CUAACD313 Produce technical drawings
- CUAACD311 Produce drawings to communicate ideas
DESIGN HISTORY
- CUADES305 Source and apply information on the history and theory of design
SPATIAL DESIGN
- BSBCRT413 Collaborate in creative processes
- CUADES303 Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
DESIGN INDUSTRY PRACTICE
- CUADES304 Source and apply design industry knowledge
COMMUNICATIONS 2
- CUAILL511 Develop professional illustrations
APPLIED COLOUR
- MSFID4016 Design colour schemes for interior and exterior spaces
- MSFID5027 Research and recommend colour application and finishes
SOFT FURNISHINGS
- MSFID4021 Design soft furnishing solutions for interior spaces
STYLING
- MSFID4017 Research and recommend furniture and accessories
- MSFID5018 Provide interior styling service
AUTOCAD
- MSFID4014 Produce digital models and documentation for interior design projects
KITCHENS & BATHROOMS / HARD MATERIALS
- MSFID4018 Research and recommend hard materials and finishes for interiors
- MSFID4015 Prepare materials and finishes boards for client presentation
INTERIOR DECORATION
- MSFID4012 Decorate residential interiors
- MSFID4013 Design residential interior lighting
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
- MSFID5019 Decorate interiors for restoration projects
DESIGN DETAILS
- MSFID5024 Design workplace interiors
- CUADES411 Generate design solutions
COMMERCIAL INTERIORS
- CUADES512 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
- MSFID5022 Explore and apply creative design methodology to interior space
RESIDENTIAL INTERIORS
- MSFID5020 Design residential interiors
- MSFID5021 Evaluate site structure and services for interior design briefs
- MSFID5025 Develop residential interior design project documentation
*Units of competency subject to change.
Assessments & Briefs
Assessments are made up of a series of research and practical briefs that include a major residential design project:
- Design and decorate an entry space
- Understand and present design movements
- Create a colour scheme for a boutique hotel
- Create a soft furnishings scheme considering floor, wall and window treatments
- Develop your designer identity and business paperwork
- Decorate a residential space
- Learn how to create a drawing package with AutoCAD
- Learn Photoshop skills to professionally render drawings in a digital format
Entry Requirements
For entry into the Diploma of Interior Design, applicants will need to:
- Be at least 17 years of age at time of enrolment;
- Have the ability to read and write English and display numeracy skills to at least Year 12 level;
- If an international student, have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 5.5 (with no individual score less than 5.0); or,
- Have completed Australian Year 12 schooling (please provide a copy of your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education) or equivalent; or,
- Have completed a Nationally Recognised Certificate IV qualification delivered in English within the last 5 years; and;
- Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) or have appropriate exemption;
- Have a unique email address;
- Have access to a computer with an internet connection.
Prerequisite requirements: There are no prerequisite requirements for this course
Industry Partners
Our industry partners include:
Porter’s Paints, Merino Homes, Temple & Webster, Talostone, BOWERBIRD Interiors, Taubmans, Haymes Paint, Dulux, Home Beautiful / Pacific Mags, Flooring Emporium, Cossentino, Smartstone, PolyTec, DiLorenzo Tiles, Eussen Lifestyle, Caroma, King Living, Astra Walker, Satara, Tile Cloud, and Breathe Architecture.
Price and Payment Options
Price: $13,940
Upfront Payments
You can make an upfront payment for your course at the time of enrolment.
Instalment Plans
You can choose to pay your course fees or gap payments via instalment plans. All instalment plans are managed by a third party. All third party details can be found on the enrolment form terms and conditions.