Did you know that some of the world's leading interior design schools, which emphasise innovation, sustainability, and practical learning, have their home base in Australia? In today's modern world of construction and design, there has been a growing demand for a need in planning a creative space with aesthetic solutions that transcends the norm for interior design that makes every building stand out.
If you are fascinated with modern architecture, sustainable designs, or luxury interiors, pursuing an interior design course in Australia in 2025 can offer you the best cutting-edge programmes with adequate industry exposure with a globally recognised degree. Interested? Read on further, as you will learn all there is to know – from eligibility and costs to scholarships and career prospects – which will help you make an informed decision.
Why Study Interior Design Course in Australia?
By pursuing an interior design course in Australia in 2025, you can benefit by gaining unique opportunities for quality education, exposure to global networks, upscaling your proficiency in the trade through critical learning of various niches in this domain, and so much more. Here's a gist of what you can expect by pursuing this course:
- World-Class Education: As Australian universities rank among the best globally for interior design, your qualification will stand out from the rest.
- Industry-Orientated Programs: By studying interior design courses in Australia, you can gain hands-on experience with real-world projects, internships, and collaborations.
- Global Recognition: Australian university degrees are internationally recognised, so graduating from a reputed Australian university can help open doors for you to global opportunities.
- Innovative Learning: Courses taught in Australian universities emphasise sustainable designs, new-age technology, and practical applications, so you gain a critical aspect of learning that you may miss out on elsewhere.
- Diverse Specialisations: Studying at an Australian university, you get to choose from emerging specialisations like sustainable design, luxury interiors, and commercial spaces.
- Growing Job Market: With Australia's demand for interior designers steadily rising, you can be rest assured about your career and future as you have a huge opportunity for post-study work options.
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Benefits of Studying in Australia
Skills Required for an Interior Design Course
As you cover your course programme over the years of your study, you will understand that there will be a need for a set of skills required for an interior design course graduate to master in order to develop a mix of creative and technical skills. These skills are as follows:
- Creativity & Aesthetic Sense
- Technical Proficiency
- Spatial Awareness
- Communication Skills
- Problem-Solving Ability
- Attention to detail
Creativity & Aesthetic Sense: This skill will help you gain the ability to visualise and create appealing interior designs.
Technical Proficiency: This skill will help you acquire the necessary knowledge required to use software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp and Revit that can help elevate your prowess in today's modern world.
Spatial Awareness: This skill will help you better understand how to maximise the potential within a limited space, how to utilise it and how to increase its functionality.
Communication Skills: Mastering this skill will help you present your creative ideas more effectively to your clients and stakeholders.
Problem Solving Ability: While facing various design challenges, this skill will help you overcome them with innovative solutions.
Attention to Detail: As an interior designer, this skill will give you the edge in making precise measurements, identifying the best materials needed for your designs, and creating exquisite finishing touches that stand out.
Eligibility Requirements to Study Interior Design Courses in Australia in 2025
Before you enrol in an interior design course in Australia, you should ensure that you are meeting the following criteria so that there are no needless complications during your application. Check out the eligibility requirements to study interior design courses in Australia:
- Educational Qualifications: Your educational qualifications should include the completion certificate of high school (Year 12 or equivalent) with a focus on arts, mathematics, or science.
- VET Qualifications: As a domestic student from Australia, if you are new to this course but are seriously considering taking up an interior design course, it's best practice that you consider opting for a VET (Vocational Education Training) qualification. This option will offer you the opportunity to pick a short-term course, ranging from certificate courses to even a diploma programme, where you can get a firm foundation in interior design, thereby giving you a clear edge over others when you start your degree programme eyeing your future career prospects.
- Portfolio Submission: Some universities here in Australia may require you to submit a design portfolio that showcases your creativity. This portfolio enables the admissions team to see that you are aware of your interest in this field and that you are capable of grasping the nuances that you will learn during your study.
- Interviews/Entrance Tests: Despite not all Australian universities conducting interviews and entrance exams, you should nonetheless prepare yourself for these opportunities because these tests can pave the way for enhancing your knowledge about the field and gaining critical insights into the course programme as well.
Point to Note: Requirements vary between universities. It is advisable to check with specific institutions for precise criteria. Why not consult with AECC? Our expert counsellors can help you find the information you want!
Admission Requirements to Study Interior Design Courses in Australia in 2025
To apply for interior design courses in Australia in 2025, you must submit a range of key documents as part of the admission process to get onboard the university of your choice. These documents are a set of requirements among many that are set by the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework), which are aligned with Australian universities with the intent of upholding top international education standards. Below is a list of documents required for interior design admission:
Just as you have presented documents that prove your eligibility to pursue interior design courses in Australia, there are certain admissions requirements for each of the universities for which you will have to present documents as proof to advance in your process of enrolling into the university of your choice. These admission requirements to study interior design courses in Australia are:
- Academic Transcripts (year 12 completion)
- ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank)
- Design Portfolio (Optional)
- English Proficiency Test Results (optional)
- VET Qualifications
Academic Transcripts (Year 12 Completion): As stated, for a UG course applicant, you will be required to submit your certificate of Year 12 completion to prove your eligibility criteria. In the case of you choosing a postgraduate course programme in interior design, you will have to produce your bachelor's degree certificate with a relevant discipline along with your proficiency scores.
ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank): This requirement varies from one university to another. The scores range from between 60 and 80, and based on the choice of your university, you will be required to present an eligible score to proceed with the next step in your admission process.
Design Portfolio (optional): As mentioned, not all universities here in Australia require a design portfolio. However, the purpose of this portfolio is to present your creative endeavours, your design projects, technical drawings, and artistic works. It is best practice that you check with your applied university if they require you to present a portfolio to ensure a smooth application process.
English Proficiency Test Results (optional): Although these test results are not always required, they may be needed for certain course programmes; hence, it is advisable to check with the university that you have applied to in advance to avoid last-minute hassle. If required, then ensure that you have an IELTS score of at least 5.5 with no band less than 5.0.
VET Qualifications: To truly excel in your choice of interior design, you can also opt for a VET qualification, such as a diploma of interior design, to ensure that you master the fundamentals of the course programme and set yourself apart from the rest.Interior Design Specialisations and Degrees in Australia in 2025
Once you enrol in the interior design course programme in Australia's top universities, you will find that you will be able to learn specific topics that can give you the edge in creating your niche in the interior design market once you graduate. To give you a glimpse, here are some of the different specialisations of interior design that you will get to learn during the tenure of your study:
- Residential Interior Design: This specialisation focuses on designing homes, apartments, and living spaces that are most suited for individual or family purposes with privacy in mind.
- Commercial Interior Design: This specialisation focuses on creating workspaces, retail outlets, and corporate office spaces where people of different walks of life come together and work and commute together in a public space.
- Sustainable & Eco-friendly Design: This specialisation focuses on green and energy-efficient designs that prioritise a lesser carbon footprint and effluents, promoting green and sustainable energy productivity.
- Luxury & Hospitality Design: This specialisation focuses on creating a luxurious space, be it for hotel, resort, or home interiors, with utmost attention to comfort in mind.
- Furniture & Industrial Design: This specialisation focuses on designing innovative furniture and functional interior elements that are adaptable to various requirements of the clients.
- Lighting & Spatial Design: This specialisation focuses on utilising advanced lighting techniques and space planning that prioritises optimal aesthetics.
To master the numerous design specialisations, you can opt for the necessary level of course programme that you will need to begin your career in interior designing. To help you pick your choice, below are some of the most sought-after degree programmes by students who seek to study interior design courses in Australia.
- Diploma in Interior Design (1-2 years)
- Bachelor of Interior Design (3-4 years)
- Masters in Interior Design in Australia (1-2 years)
Top Interior Design Universities in Australia in 2025
Choosing the best university that satisfies your thirst for knowledge is crucial, as that can pivot your future into a bright career. To help you get started, we have prepared a list of top universities that offer interior design course programmes which can help you master the skills needed for you to pave your niche into the future.
|
University |
Ranking 2025 |
Location |
|
University of New South Wales (UNSW) |
#19 |
Sydney |
|
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) |
#88 |
Sydney |
|
RMIT University |
#123 |
Melbourne |
|
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) |
#213 |
Brisbane |
|
Swinburne University of Technology |
#291 |
Melbourne |
Point to Note: The list of universities mentioned above is correct at the time of writing, and is susceptible to change with the duration of time. We ask you to kindly consider cross-checking the information given above at the time of your reading this article. Also, to help you get the right information in the shortest possible time, seek out AECC. Our expert counsellors can help you get the right information without any hassle!
Cost and Duration of Interior Design Courses in Australia in 2025
As a domestic student seeking to study at Australian universities, the costs are comparatively lesser to the international students, and their requirements are more demanding and stringent. However, to help you understand, here is a simple table representation of the cost and duration of interior design courses in Australia in 2025:
|
Sl. No. |
Course Name |
Duration |
Fees (AUD) |
|
1. |
Diploma in Interior Design |
1-2 years |
4,000 - 20,000 per year |
|
2. |
Bachelor of Interior Design |
3-4 years |
20,000 - 50,000 per year |
|
3. |
Masters in Interior Design |
1-2 years |
35,000 - 55,000 per year |
Point to Note: - the values presented in the table are an approximate range of values formulated from the varied costs from different universities across the country. Hence, we advise you to check with the admissions office of the university to which you are applying to ensure that you are aware of the exact cost and duration of the course that you choose.
Read More: Cost of studying in Australia
Scholarships for Interior Design Course in Australia
Scholarships are awarded to exemplary students based on several eligibility criteria set by the committee which awards these scholarships. Some are awarded by the universities themselves, whereas others are awarded by various organisations. Similar to international students, domestic students also can avail themselves of scholarships to earn a break from financial strain, which can help you focus more on your education, thereby excelling in your studies. Here are some of the scholarships for interior design courses in Australia that can help you with your education:
|
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Award (AUD) |
|
Vogue Australia Design Scholarships |
Domestic students |
50% off for entire course |
|
Industry Scholarship |
Domestic & International students |
15% off for entire course |
|
The SIDA Foundation Interior Design Fund Scholarship |
For enrolled students at 2nd or 3rd yr at UG level |
$5,000 per year |
Point to Note: This is not an exhaustive list of scholarships; kindly ensure to consult the university to which you have applied to ensure that you do not miss out on the most apt scholarship that suits you best.
Career Opportunities for Interior Design Graduates in 2025
If you are a student who has recently graduated from an interior design course programme in Australia, you can rest assured that there are rising career opportunities for interior design graduates in 2025, which also provide handsome salaries based on your experience and qualifications.
|
Job Role |
Average Salary (AUD) |
|
Junior Interior Designer |
55,000 - 70,000 |
|
Senior Interior Designer |
80,000 - 100,000 |
|
Commercial Space Designer |
75,000 - 95,000 |
|
Sustainable Design Consultant |
85,000 - 110,000 |
|
Design Project Manager |
100,000+ |
* The above-given values of the salaries for the given designations are taken as an approximate range presented on the seek.au website at the time of writing this article.
For the latest information, reach out to AECC and find out what the best salary is that you can obtain for your level of degree.
Read more:
Your choice in studying an interior design course in Australia in 2025 can help you gain a world-class education, receive numerous career opportunities, and be exposed to the latest innovative design trends. If you are ready to set out on this journey, AECC's expert counsellors can guide you through the admissions process, assist you with scholarships, and ensure you have a seamless transition into your dream career. Contact AECC today.
FAQs
Can I study interior design in Australia without a design background?
Yes, many universities accept students without a design background, though some may require a portfolio or foundation courses.
