Advanced Diploma of Interior Design

Overview

Repurpose abandoned spaces, design innovative facilities, and change the way people live. The Advanced Diploma of Interior Design covers real-world, complex planning and detailing of residential, commercial and institutional design projects. Units are Victorian Building Authority approved, so students can apply for registration as building practitioners after two years on the job.

Get a copy of our course guide

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Are you in high school?

Back by popular demand: A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student. See what uni is really like with hands-on workshops, presentations and more across different study areas.

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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

Further education

Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture)

Location options

Hawthorn

- 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.

Read more (Award winning interior design tackles social issues)

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.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

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.

Visit course handbook

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.

Book your Pearson Test of English

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.

Learn more about credit

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.

Learn more about RPL

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

Discover more (Certificate IV in Design)
Diploma of Visual Arts

Discover more (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.

Core units

Elective units

Diploma of Interior Design

Advanced Diploma

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 784

Your units

Advanced Diploma of Interior Design

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Manage design realisation Core unit	CUADES611
Design workplace interiors Core unit	MSFID5024
Design commercial interior lighting Core unit	MSFID6010
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
Research global design trends Elective unit	CUADES612
Create visual design components Elective unit	CUADIG304
Design for large scale commercial or institutional interiors Elective unit	MSFID6012
Design for conservation and restoration projects Elective unit	MSFID6015
Select and monitor contractors Elective unit	MSFID6016
Produce digital presentations for commercial projects Elective unit	MSFID6019

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$8,640

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$3,420

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

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.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

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.

Find out more about fees

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.

Learn more about paying your fees

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

Learn more about VET student loans

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.

Learn more about concession rates

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)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Learn more about SSAF

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Representatives and agents

MSF60122

Search for agents

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.

Course code

MSF60122

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

August intake

Hawthorn

30-July-2025

04-August-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

August intake

Hawthorn

04-August-2025

Upcoming events

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Creative

08-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | STEM, Aviation & Health

09-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Social Impact and Innovation

10-April-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Are you in high school?

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Further education

Location options

Award winning interior design tackles social issues

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Advanced Diploma of Interior Design

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

VET Student Loan amount* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)