Diploma of Arts (Interior Design)

The Diploma of Arts (Interior Design) at Collarts is a one-year qualification for people who want to shape interior spaces, residential, retail, hospitality, or performance and event venues. You study how space is planned, how materials and finishes behave, how light changes a room, and how to communicate design ideas through drawings, models, and digital software. Studios and project work sit at the centre of the course, so you build a folio rather than just accumulate theory.

As a diploma, this sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree. It is delivered over one year of full-time study, typically across two or three study periods. You enrol in units of study, each carrying credit points, and you need to pass the required units to graduate. Assessment is generally a mix of studio projects, written work, and presentations. Some diplomas include a capstone-style final project where you pull everything together into one resolved design outcome. If your course includes work-integrated learning or an industry placement, that is where you get a taste of a real practice, but check the official course page for the exact structure, because it can change.

Skills you pick up include spatial planning, hand and digital drafting, 3D modelling, material selection, colour and lighting basics, and how to present a design argument to a client or critic. You also learn to read a brief, work to a budget, and take feedback. These are the same skills interior designers use daily, whether they work in a small studio or a large architecture firm.

Who is this for? School leavers who want a practical start without committing to a three-year degree. Career changers who have an eye for interiors and want formal training. Or anyone already working in design, events, or property who needs a recognised qualification. The diploma can also be a pathway into further study, many students use it to apply for a bachelor degree with credit, though you should confirm credit arrangements with the receiving institution. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with TOEFL, PTE, and Cambridge equivalents accepted. The Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, so check both. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia, confirm the current rules on the official government site. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register; check the official page for the exact figure and intake dates.

• Interior design assistant, supporting senior designers on residential and commercial projects, preparing drawings and schedules.
• Colour and materials consultant, selecting finishes, fabrics, and paint schemes for builders, architects, or retailers.
• Retail or visual merchandiser, designing store layouts and displays for Australian retail brands.
• Set or exhibition designer, working with event companies, galleries, or production houses on temporary spaces and stands.
• Kitchen and bathroom designer, a common entry role in the renovation market, often with joinery or building suppliers.
• Furniture or object designer, some graduates move into product design, especially if they continue study.

Industries that hire include architecture and interior design practices, construction and property development, retail, hospitality, events, and government or cultural institutions. With further study, you can move into interior architecture or related fields.