INTERNATIONAL

Diploma of Interior Design

CRICOS Code: 111974M
National Code: MSF50222

2025 2026

Description

Colour your world with an exciting career in interior design. Run your own business as a design consultant or become part of a team working in design and decoration. This nationally accredited Diploma will help you to understand the furnishings, finishes, and aesthetics that are integral to creating outstanding interiors. Learn about colour schemes, lighting, the principles of design, project documentation, creating 2D and 3D forms, and producing digital models. Our wide range of subjects can be tailored to suit all your design interests. Refine your design skills, build your business abilities, and graduate ready to join this in-demand industry.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

104 weeks

80 weeks

Interior Decorator

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Tonsley

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

20 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 12 or overseas equivalent .

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $9127

Semester 2

AUD $9127

Semester 3

AUD $9128

Semester 4

AUD $9128

Fee Totals

AUD $36510

Total Course Cost

AUD $36510

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

Self employment as an interior decorator, Colour consultant or Interior stylist, In-house interior designer or decorator for design and decoration consultancies, furniture, furnishings and fabric suppliers, furnishing departments of retail stores or shop fitters.

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Diploma of Interior Design (MSF50222)
There is an emphasis on furnishings, finishes and aesthetics, environmental sustainability, colour and pattern in interior spaces and historic furnishing styles. It may also include specialist design areas such as facilities for people with disabilities and the aged. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 10 core units and 17 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Design colour schemes for interior and exterior spaces	85	MACAC	MSFID4016
Design residential interior lighting	40	MACAF	MSFID4013
Design residential interiors	108	MACAT	MSFID5020
Develop residential interior design project documentation	60	MACBA	MSFID5025
Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief	65	DABKH	CUADES512
Evaluate site structure and services for interior design briefs	40	MACAW	MSFID5021
Explore and apply creative design methodology to interior space	60	MACAX	MSFID5022
Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms	60	DABDY	CUADES302
Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms	60	DABDZ	CUADES303
Produce digital models and documentation for interior design projects	80	MACAG	MSFID4014

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Decorate residential interiors	80	MACAE	MSFID4012
Design for all ages and abilities	108	MACAY	MSFID5023
Design soft furnishing solutions for interior spaces	60	MACAN	MSFID4021
Design workplace interiors	108	MACAZ	MSFID5024
Determine spatial planning considerations for bathroom design	60	MACBN	MSFKB4010
Determine spatial planning considerations for kitchen design	84	MACBM	MSFKB4009
Generate design solutions	70	DABKF	CUADES411
Prepare quotation and contract documentation for design projects	30	MACAP	MSFID4022
Present a body of own creative work	60	DABEG	CUAPPR513
Produce computer-aided drawings	60	DABFR	CUAACD312
Produce drawings to communicate ideas	90	DABDE	CUAACD311
Produce technical drawings	50	DABFS	CUAACD313
Provide interior styling service	36	MACAS	MSFID5018
Research and recommend artwork	36	MACBB	MSFID5028
Research and recommend furniture and accessories	36	MACAK	MSFID4017
Research and recommend hard materials and finishes for interiors	54	MACAL	MSFID4018
Research interior decoration and design influences	40	MACAM	MSFID4019

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.