
Interior Design

Australia’s interior design industry shapes the rooms we live and work in. It turns empty spaces into places that feel useful and look good. Interior designers plan layouts, pick materials and manage a project from first sketch to final fit-out. The work mixes creative thinking with real technical skill, since every design still has to meet safety and building rules.
Jobs and Skills Australia data from 2025 counted around 19,300 interior designers working across the country. Most are based in New South Wales and Victoria. The workforce is mostly female, with a median age of 40. Full-time workers earn a median of $1,692 a week before tax. The industry keeps adding new roles each year as building and renovation work continues.
Most designers start with a nationally recognised course through a registered training organisation. Two popular options are the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration and the Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration. Both cover space planning, materials and how to work with clients. If you want a degree instead, you can study a Bachelor of Interior Design (Residential).
Study options have become far more flexible in recent years. Many providers now mix online theory with hands-on workshops or a work placement. This lets you fit study around a job or family life. Software skills matter just as much as creative flair, since firms expect new staff to know digital drafting and 3D tools from day one.
If you enjoy shaping spaces and solving real design problems, compare interior design courses on CourseFinder to find the right fit for your goals.
You can study several interior design qualifications, including the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration and the Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration. A Bachelor of Interior Design (Residential) is also available if you want a degree-level pathway. Course content typically covers space planning, CAD software training, colour theory, lighting design and client communication.
Most courses teach SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit and Adobe Creative Suite, the software tools used across interior design studios and freelance practice.
It depends on your pathway. A Certificate IV usually takes 6 to 12 months, a Diploma around 12 to 18 months, and a Bachelor degree about three years full-time. Some courses also include a work placement component.
Yes. Courses delivered by a registered training organisation are listed on training.gov.au and recognised across Australia.
Some states offer subsidised places for interior design qualifications through schemes such as Free TAFE or other state-based funding. Check the government-funded courses page for current options in your state.
A career in interior design can lead to real jobs you'll enjoy. Here are some roles you could pursue.