/ATC_Lvl3_walkway_E6A5071.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.web.2560.1440.jpeg)
Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Overview
The Advanced Diploma of Interior Design equips you with the skills to succeed in the design industry, focusing on space planning, design development, and project documentation across residential, commercial, and large-scale institutional contexts. You will engage with leading designers and industry firms, gaining valuable professional insights to prepare you for a design career. The course also delivers the required learning components for registration as a Draftsperson – Building Design (Interior). Through your final projects, including training in Building Information Modelling (BIM), you'll graduate career-ready in interior design or be well-prepared to progress into the Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture).
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Timely applications closing soon
Get the info you need to get where you want to go. Make Swinburne your #1 preference before applications close 1 October.
Skills you’ll learn
- Creative skills
- Collaboration
- Conceptual skills
- Conceive and negotiate briefs
- Project management skills
- Research skills
Your career opportunities
- Interior designer
- Decorator
- Design consultant
- Colour consultant
-
- Design
Award winning interior design tackles social issues
Inesse Soussi has won a Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia award and a Design Matters award for her work at Swinburne and beyond.
Wednesday 23 November 2022
Admissions
Successful completion of the Diploma of Interior Design (MSF50218 or MSF50222).
Please note that if you completed a Diploma of Interior Design elsewhere than Swinburne you may need to complete some extra units.
This will be assessed at the time of your application. To check your eligibility for this course, visit our entry requirements for international students page.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.
RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Certificate IV in Design
-
Diploma of Visual Arts
Course structure
Students are required to complete 39 units in total, as listed below. This involves face-to-face workshops, tutorials and blended online delivery.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
Core unit |
CUADES302 |
|
Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
Core unit |
CUADES303 |
|
Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
Core unit |
CUADES512 |
|
Manage design realisation
Core unit |
CUADES611 |
|
Design residential interior lighting
Core unit |
MSFID4013 |
|
Produce digital models and documentation for interior design projects
Core unit |
MSFID4014 |
|
Design colour schemes for interior and exterior spaces
Core unit |
MSFID4016 |
|
Design residential interiors
Core unit |
MSFID5020 |
|
Evaluate site structure and services for interior design briefs
Core unit |
MSFID5021 |
|
Explore and apply creative design methodology to interior space
Core unit |
MSFID5022 |
|
Design workplace interiors
Core unit |
MSFID5024 |
|
Develop residential interior design project documentation
Core unit |
MSFID5025 |
|
Design commercial interior lighting
Core unit |
MSFID6010 |
|
Resolve complex spatial design problems through modelling
Core unit |
MSFID6011 |
|
Resolve complex spatial design problems through modelling
Core unit |
MSFID6011 |
|
Apply 3D digital visualisation techniques to represent interior designs
Core unit |
MSFID6018 |
|
Develop commercial interior design project documentation
Core unit |
MSFID6020 |
| Elective units | |
|
Articulate, present and debate ideas
Elective unit |
BSBCRT412 |
|
Establish operational strategies and procedures for new business ventures
Elective unit |
BSBESB406 |
|
Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
Elective unit |
CPCWHS1001 |
|
Develop drawing skills to communicate ideas
Elective unit |
CUAACD201 |
|
Create 3D digital models
Elective unit |
CUAANM313 |
|
Source and apply design industry knowledge
Elective unit |
CUADES304 |
|
Source and apply information on the history and theory of design
Elective unit |
CUADES305 |
|
Develop and extend design skills and practice
Elective unit |
CUADES413 |
|
Research and apply techniques in spatial design
Elective unit |
CUADES423 |
|
Research global design trends
Elective unit |
CUADES612 |
|
Create visual design components
Elective unit |
CUADIG304 |
|
Design digital simulations
Elective unit |
CUADIG517 |
|
Establish and maintain environmentally sustainable creative practice
Elective unit |
CUAPPR514 |
|
Research and meet ethical and compliance requirements
Elective unit |
MSFGN4001 |
|
Research and recommend furniture and accessories
Elective unit |
MSFID4017 |
|
Research and recommend hard materials and finishes for interiors
Elective unit |
MSFID4018 |
|
Research and integrate embedded technologies in interior designs
Elective unit |
MSFID4020 |
|
Provide interior styling service
Elective unit |
MSFID5018 |
|
Design for all ages and abilities
Elective unit |
MSFID5023 |
|
Design for large scale commercial or institutional interiors
Elective unit |
MSFID6012 |
|
Select and monitor contractors
Elective unit |
MSFID6016 |
|
Evaluate design project outcomes
Elective unit |
MSFID6017 |
|
Produce digital presentations for commercial projects
Elective unit |
MSFID6019 |
2025 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$8,640
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$3,420
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Fees are estimates only
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Skills first government-subsidised place
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)
If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.
The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
VET Student Loan amount* ($AUD)
$18,838
Concessions rates for vocational students
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
From 1 January 2024, all courses at the Diploma level and higher will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$373.00
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$373.00
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.