DIPLOMA OF DESIGN /
FASHION DESIGN
FEE-HELP Approved
*September intake TBC
Design. Above. All. Else.
In this accelerated entry-level program, you'll complete two industry focused projects. You're given a client, a design problem to resolve, a series of colour palettes from the latest trend research and then together with your design teacher, you come up with an original design solution.
TRIMESTER ONE - The Skirt
You'll start out simply with a skirt, this is a foundation project to get you used to industrial machines, pattern-making and garment construction techniques. Over the ten weeks you'll design, toile, sample your garment and work with your design and workshop teachers to bring your 2D illustration to life in 3D form. Your task is to design a trans-seasonal fashion forward daywear outfit featuring a skirt for womenswear and a re-worked t-shirt. You'll end up producing two pieces and presenting them, styled together for a runway or editorial to create an entire look.
TRIMESTER TWO - UTILITY HYBRIDISATION
Design a capsule collection of two-three pieces which can be worn across two bodies. You'll learn how to create a powerful contrast between functionality of traditional design garments and non-fashion utility garments. Luxe volume and high fashion textures. You're tasked with working for a high-end concept store to create an innovative, captivating womenswear collection that is design directional, functional and commercial. You'll examine silhouettes and proportions in current hybridised utility wear collections.
The Diploma of Design at Whitehouse is a nested qualification within our award-winning Bachelor of Design.
That means when you complete the Diploma, you have real flexibility. You can choose to:
- Exit with your Diploma of Design qualification, or
- Continue your studies and credit the units you’ve already completed into a higher qualification pathway.
By completing the Diploma, you will have already finished:
- 2 of the 4 trimesters required for the Associate Degree of Design, or
- 2 of the 6 trimesters required for the Bachelor of Design.
This gives you the freedom to start with a shorter qualification, build your skills and confidence, and then decide whether you want to continue all the way to an Associate Degree or Bachelor degree — without starting again.
Across these two trimesters in the Diploma of Design, you will:
- Build your creative identity by developing a strong body of work that demonstrates your design perspective, ideas, and emerging signature style.
- Develop practical, industry-relevant skills by taking your concepts from inspiration to resolved outcomes with confidence and purpose.
- Refine your craft through hands-on making, design development, technical skill-building, and attention to detail in presentation and finish.
- Create a portfolio-ready body of work that showcases your creativity, technical growth, and potential for further study in the Associate Degree of Design or Bachelor of Design.
If you’re looking to start your fashion design journey with a strong, industry-relevant foundation, the Diploma of Design (Fashion Design) at Whitehouse is the perfect next step. This accelerated two-trimester program is designed for creative individuals who want to build real skills, develop confidence, and begin creating fashion work to a professional standard — while keeping the pathway open to progress into higher-level study.
The Diploma is ideal for students who want to up-skill quickly, immerse themselves in hands-on design practice, and gain practical experience in generating, developing, and presenting contemporary womenswear, menswear, genderless-wear and accessory concepts. It is a focused, creative learning experience that helps you build momentum and prepare for the next stage of your design career.
Throughout the course, you will strengthen your individual design voice while learning how fashion ideas move from inspiration through to resolved outcomes. You’ll develop the technical and creative capabilities needed to produce strong work, communicate your ideas clearly, and build confidence in a studio-based environment. The curriculum combines practical project work with guidance from experienced educators, helping you grow your skills in a supportive and industry-aware setting.
Key skills you’ll begin developing include: fashion research, concept development, flat pattern cutting, draping, garment construction, sampling, fashion illustration, textile and fabric exploration, technical development, and visual presentation. You’ll also gain insight into how creativity connects with industry expectations, including branding, communication, and portfolio presentation.
Most importantly, the Diploma of Design is a nested qualification within Whitehouse’s award-winning Bachelor of Design. That means when you complete the Diploma, you can choose to graduate with your qualification, or up-skill to the next level by crediting your completed units into the Associate Degree of Design or continuing into the Bachelor of Design.
This is more than a diploma — it’s a smart way to start strong, build your skills fast, and step confidently into higher-level design study with a clear pathway forward.
The Diploma of Design at WHITEHOUSE consists of two trimesters and is completed within 20 weeks full-time or 40 weeks part time.
The Diploma of Design specialising in Fashion Design is based on two trimesters with five subjects taught in each trimester. It comprises of 6 core subjects and 4 specialisation subjects. To qualify for the award of the Diploma of Design a candidate shall accrue and aggregate of 96 credit points, including satisfactory completion of all subjects.
|:----|:----|:----|
|DC1 & 2|Design Contexts (Core Subject)|6 Credit Points|
|DD1 & 2|Digital Design (Core Subject)|6 Credit Points|
|ID1 & 2|Illustration for Design (Core Subject)|6 Credit Points|
|FD1 & 2|Fashion Design Methods and Processes (Specialisation)|6 Credit Points|
|FW1 &2 |Fashion Workshop (Specialisation)|24 Credit Points|
DESIGN CONTEXTS
In year one, students will be immersed in the foundation elements of design context that look at the historical, cultural and social influences that impact on contemporary design practices. Students relate their research to their chosen specialisation and how the relationship of culture, history and marketplace informs design and designers today. In the second and final year, design context students investigate the relationship between design and marketing, how to integrate design with industry business models and how design integrates with the professional world.
DIGITAL DESIGN
Focuses on visual communication through print and digital media. This area of study examines the principles of communication realised through effective and innovative visual outcomes. Students use the following programs: Adobe Creative Cloud and Style CAD for Pattern making.
ILLUSTRATION FOR DESIGN
Focuses on visual communication techniques using the foundations of elements and principles of design. A diverse range of media is investigated, used and mastered to successfully communicate design intent through illustration.
DESIGN METHODS
Explores the "how to?" of the design process. This subject investigates and interrogates design innovation in Fashion Design. Design Methods has a strong focus on putting your ideas into practice and preparing for industry.
DESIGN WORKSHOP
Supports students through the realisation of their 2D design into a 3D prototype. This subject provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply their skills and knowledge from all other subject areas. Students learn basic to advanced pattern making and construction techniques using a variety of industrial machinery for construction to create a reference portfolio of technical design work.
Here are just some examples of career outcomes our Fashion Design graduates have continued into.
|:----|:----|
|Fashion Designer|Textile Designer|
|Fashion Buyer|Pattern Maker|
|Art Director|Costume Designer|
|Marketing Manager|Visual Merchandiser|
|Blog Director/ Editor|Brand Manager|
|Magazine Editor|Fashion Illustrator|
|Fashion Journalist|Tailor|
|Advertising Manager|Trend Analyst|
With purpose built design campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Whitehouse students are provided with state-of-the-art facilities within each of their subjects. Exclusive access to digital resources such as FREE Adobe Creative Cloud, trend-forecasting services, a specialist design library, one of the largest design collections from Louis Vuitton/Burberry/Sacai etc, student rooftop garden, student pool area and fully-equipped photography studios.
Whitehouse is continuously updating and improving resources to ensure that students have extensive design research support.
|:----|:----|:----|
|Trimester One|5|$2,922|
|Trimester Two|5|$2,922|
The Tuition Fee schedule applies for 2026 only and are subject to annual review and alteration. All fees are in Australian Dollars and inclusive of GST where GST is applicable. The Fee document attached is for tuition only and do not include course material costs. For further information on course material cost estimates please call us on 1300 551 433 and ask to speak with the Admissions Team.
TUITION FEE PAYMENT OPTIONS
You can choose to pay your tuition fees in the following ways:
- FEE-HELP
- Pay Fees Upfront
- Upfront Payment for Single Unit/s + FEE-HELP
Tuition fees for each study period are to be paid in advance before the commencement of each study period. You can either elect to pay upfront, in full or a portion upfront, with the balance deferred to FEE-HELP.
If you elect to pay your tuition fees up front, this does not prevent you from accessing FEE-HELP at any time, provided an electronic Commonwealth Assistance form (eCAF) to defer tuition to FEE-HELP assistance form is lodged before the relevant Census Date for the study period.
FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that helps eligible Australian fee-paying students (full-time or part-time) pay their tuition fees.
FEE-HELP can cover all or part of your tuition fees. The Australian Government pays the amount of the loan direct to Whitehouse. You’ll make repayments on your loan through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) whenever your income is above the threshold, or you can make voluntary repayment to ATO at any time.
No interest is charged on your FEE-HELP loan, however, the Commonwealth Government applies a one off loan fee and it is indexed each year with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in line with the cost of living.
The Government’s Study Assist website provides more information about FEE-HELP, eligibility and your rights & obligations.
Tuition Schedule for International Students applies as of 2026. All tuition fees are subject to annual review and alteration. All fees are in Australian Dollars and inclusive of GST where GST is applicable. The Fee documents attached are for tuition only and do not include course material costs. For further information on course material cost estimates please call us on 1300 551 433 and ask to speak with the Admissions Team.
TUITION FEE PAYMENT OPTIONS
You can choose to pay your tuition fees in the following ways:
- Pay Fees Upfront
Tuition fees for each study period are to be paid no later than 7 days in advance before the commencement of each study period.
On enrolment, an invoice will be issued to you with online payment options including Apple Pay, PayPal, Visa, American Express and Mastercard. Direct Bank transfer is also available to avoid any applicable surcharge.
Non-tuition fees are governed by the Higher Education Support Act. Students must be able to complete the requirements of their course of study without the imposition of fees that are additional to tuition fees except in the following circumstances:
- for a service that is not essential to the course of study; or
- for alternative forms of access to a service that is an essential component of the course of study, but is otherwise made readily available at no additional charge by Whitehouse; or
- the fee is a fine or penalty, provided it is imposed principally as a disincentive.
NON-TUITION FEES AND CHARGES SCHEDULE
|:----|:----|
|Cancellation Fee O/S – written notice of withdrawal or deferral received before course commencement = 10% of the study period tuition fee (international students only - penalty)|(max) $2,096.60|
|Refusal of student visa by Department of Home Affairs – 5% of pre-paid tuition fees or $500.00 (whichever is higher) (international students only - penalty)|5% or $500.00|
|Credit Card transactions surcharge - Visa and MasterCard (service charge)|1.10%|
|EFTPOS surcharge (Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale) (service charge)|1.10%|
|Late Payment Fee – Tuition Fees – as of study period commencement date (penalty)|$20.00 per week|
|Dishonoured payment (penalty)|$50.00|
|Reissue of Testamur or Reissue of Academic Transcript (service charge)|$50.00 to $200.00|
|Locker Hire – Annual (service charge) - $50.00 bond refundable|$100.00|
|Locker Key/Lock reissue (penalty)|$25.00|
|Reissue Whitehouse Student ID card (penalty)|$30.00|
|Overdue Library Book fee: $1 per day up to first 7 days, $10 per day thereafter (fine)|$1.00/$10.00|
|Lost Book Fee: minimum $150 or cost of replacement (fine)|$150.00 minimum|
|Printing fees - library (service charge)|$0.15 to $2.00 per sheet|
|Graduation ceremony (service charge)|$270.00 to $350.00|
|Appeal an assessment result – request a remark|$50.00 / $75.00|
* Reissue of academic transcripts and or Transcript/Qualification must be made in writing (see Request Issue of Transcript form) with payment/credit card authority and include current mailing and contact details, and in advance.
** Graduation ceremony – students are not required to attend the ceremony and can be conferred award in absentia without charge.
*** Students may be required to undertake private tuition due change of design specialisation or missed content though unsupported absences to assist with progression. Private tuition is also available upon request.
Whitehouse Institute offers students the opportunity to experience a wide range of different studio practices, each of which will require specific materials and equipment. It is the student’s responsibility to determine what materials and equipment are required for each class prior to the class being held. - this will be listed in the course outline for each subject and often posted ahead of time on Google Classroom. Students are required to attend each class with the correct equipment.
The cost of materials and supplies will vary depending on the specialisation. Costs will be incurred for specialist art papers, fabrics and accessories. Specialised Studio Workshops require additional materials and supplies and these costs are determined by the student’s choice of items.
The design staff have put a Whitehouse specific art and technical kit together to ensure that students have the essential supplies to assist them in the execution of high-quality work and consistency across specialisations. These supplies are required at the commencement of studies. On enrolment an invoice will be emailed to complete this.
FREE ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD PRO LICENCE
You'll receive a free Adobe Creative Cloud Pro licence with your Whitehouse student email for the entire time you're studying Design with us.
|:----|:----:|:----:|
|Higher Education Study (includes bridging or enabling courses)|60|19%|
|Vocational Education & Training (VET) Study|45|14%|
|Secondary Education (recent) Admitted solely on basis of ATAR|N/A|0%|
|Secondary Education (recent) Admitted where ATAR, Portfolio and Motivational Statement were considered|109|34%|
|Secondary Education (recent) Admitted on the basis of other criteria and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, Portfolio & Motivational Statement alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)|88|26%|
|Work and Life Experience|18|6%|
|International Student|4|1%|
|ALL Students|324|100%|
Data based on Trimester 1 – February 2025
Whitehouse does not hold an ATAR requirement. All applicants are to provide a creative portfolio and a motivational statement as well as attend an in-person interview.
The creative portfolio is a selection of your best work, which demonstrates your creative potential. A portfolio usually consists of between 6-8 examples, and can use a variety of mediums which may include illustration, digital design, photography, film, creative writing, textile design, fine artworks and other evidence as appropriate to your chosen specialisation. Whitehouse uses your portfolio to assess your creative potential for success in course. We look at how your work demonstrates:
- An understanding of design, a connection with the current design industry and innovation in your creative thinking.
- A desire to learn and the ability to investigate and develop ideas independently.
If you do not have a Creative Portfolio, or have questions about yours, call us on 1300 551 433 or email study@whitehouse-design.edu.au to talk to us.
Whitehouse offers short workshops throughout the year, which assist students and applicants with their portfolio development. We recommend anyone considering a career in design or applying for the design degree, to attend a workshop with us.
Details of all of Whitehouse's Workshops can be found here:
To assist you in your tertiary level design studies, it is recommended that a combination of the following subjects be undertaken during years 11 and 12: Modern or Ancient History, Design & Technology, Visual Arts, Visual Communication and Textiles & Design.
Whitehouse does not have any compulsory pre-requisite subjects.
Whitehouse offers a Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (VET for Secondary School Students) course, which offers its graduates direct entry into the Bachelor of Design at Whitehouse. Students can take this course in Year 10, 11 or 12 of High School.
Cert III in Design Fundamentals
Whitehouse suggests that all applicants take a Whitehouse Workshop. More information on the link below.
Absolutely, we are here to help. We recommend meeting with us, giving us a call or coming in for a tour. You can do any of those by clicking on the links below.
Call now 1300 551 433
Email us study@whitehouse-design.edu.au
No — Whitehouse no longer requires an ATAR for admission.
We know that creative potential, motivation and real-world experience can’t always be captured by one score. That’s why we assess applications using a holistic admissions process.
What does Whitehouse look at instead?
We may consider a combination of:
- your recent study results (school, TAFE/VET, or other study)
- your creative portfolio (if required for your course)
- your motivational statement
- your work experience, volunteering, internships, or extracurricular activities
- your creative achievements and overall potential
What if I don’t have a strong school result?
That’s okay. Every application is assessed individually, and we look at the full picture — not just academics.
We may also consider things like:
- if you’re a mature-age applicant
- if you’ve completed a Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (or similar)
- if you can show strong creative ability or relevant experience
What if I’ve had difficult personal circumstances?
Whitehouse is committed to fair access to education. If your studies or results were affected by personal circumstances, we can take this into account as part of your application.
This may include things like:
- illness or disability
- family disruption or responsibilities
- disrupted schooling
- living in a rural/remote area
- being the first in your family to attend higher education
- refugee background or other disadvantage
Will I need to do anything extra?
In some cases, yes. We may ask you to complete a literacy task and/or a creative task to help us assess your readiness for study.
I’m not sure if I’m eligible — should I still apply?
Yes. If you’re passionate about design, we encourage you to apply. Our team can review your application and guide you through the best pathway.
Congratulations! You have been made an offer of enrolment but you are not quite ready to commence study. You may defer commencement of studies until the next intake without the need to reapply. For more information on application, enrolment or deferral, you can discuss your options with Admissions.
ACADEMIC CREDIT / RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
Credits for single subjects may be awarded to accredited subjects previously undertaken at another education provider and/or relevant industry experience.
To apply for Academic Credit:
- Download and complete the Application for Academic Credit
- Fill in the form including all subject titles and descriptions of the units for which you are applying for RPL
- Submit completed form with supporting documentation and evidence to Whitehouse Institute
ADVANCED STANDING
Advanced Standing may be awarded to students who have completed courses in a similar field of study. Depending on the level of study completed, you may be eligible to receive direct articulation into study period two, three or four of the Bachelor of Design. Download or request the Application for Direct Entry - submit with your current/previous qualification and transcript of academic results. If advanced standing is awarded the length of your study may be reduced.
For more information on Academic Credit and Advanced Standing, simply contact Whitehouse Institute Admissions or discuss during your interview.
Find out how Whitehouse Institute of Design fits into your design future.
A Future Student Adivsor will reach out to provide you with guidance and answer any questions you may have.