Associate Degree of DesignINTERIOR DESIGN
Build on your residential foundations and take your interior design into commercial practice - planning, documenting and presenting spaces across residential, hospitality and retail environments in four trimesters.
COURSE INFORMATION
- Degree:
- Associate Degree
- Delivery:
- On Campus
- Next Intake:
- February 2027
- Format:
- Full-Time / Part-Time
- Intakes:
- Feb, Jun, Sept
- Location:
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- Duration:
- 4 Trimesters Accelerated
- Tuition:
- FEE-HELP Approved
INTERIOR DESIGN OVERVIEW
The Associate Degree of Design with specialisation in Interior Design builds on residential foundations and takes students into commercial design practice. Over four accelerated trimesters, you develop spatial planning, materiality, colour and technical documentation skills across residential, multi-space, hospitality and retail projects, using industry-standard software including SketchUp and Autodesk Revit. Graduate ready to step into the industry, or continue straight into the Bachelor of Design with full credit for your completed trimesters.
Why study Interior Design at Whitehouse
Build real range, designing across residential, multi-space and commercial hospitality and retail projects while developing the technical drafting and documentation skills the industry demands.
Work on real briefs with SketchUp, Autodesk Revit and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, learning to move seamlessly between technical drawing and visual presentation.
Graduate with a standout portfolio and a direct, credited pathway into the Bachelor of Design.
WHY WHITEHOUSE?
#1
FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT*
We achieved 92.1% in the QILT Student Experience Survey 2025, the strongest result of any creative arts and design institution in the country.
20+
STUDIO HOURS A WEEK
You'll get real face-to-face studio time, more than double the national average.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Across your projects you'll work with industry suppliers, showrooms and brand partners.
*QILT Student Experience Survey 2025 when compared to institutions offering creative arts and design courses.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
What you'll learn
- Design and critical thinking, from sketch through to fully rendered perspective
- Sketchup for quickly turning design ideas into visual, buildable concepts
- Industry-standard Autodesk Revit training for 3D modelling, technical drafting and documentation
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop
- Technical documentation covering interior construction and regulation
- Colour theory, composition and decorative product selection
- Space planning, drafting and technical specification
- Professional practice and project management
What you'll graduate with
- A portfolio spanning residential and commercial interior projects
- Confident technical drafting and documentation skills using industry-standard software
- The ability to take a client brief from concept through to a documented design proposal
- A refined design sensibility grounded in materiality, colour and spatial planning
COURSE STRUCTURE
The Associate Degree of Design with specialisation in Interior Design comprises 12 core subjects (Design Contexts, Digital Design + Illustration for Design) and 8 specialisation subjects (Interior Design + Interior Workshops), at a full-time study load this is delivered across 4 trimesters. To be awarded the Associate Degree of Design, candidates must accrue an aggregate of 192 credit points, including satisfactory completion of all subjects.
The course is offered both full-time and part-time. At a full-time study load, students complete the degree in four trimesters, undertaking five subjects each trimester.
Design core subjects
Design Contexts 1 to 4DC1 to DC4. 6/24 credit points
Builds students' understanding of the cultural, historical and sustainable contexts that frame contemporary design, revealing the broader relationships between design practice and the history and culture of design, art and the marketplace. In the second year, the subject evolves into design in business, marketing and professional contexts.
Digital Design 1 to 4DD1 to DD4. 6/24 credit points
Develops the skills to create professional visual images and a design portfolio for both print and digital. Students use the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including Photoshop, Lightroom and InDesign, to describe, develop and market their projects, mastering how digital media produces effective, meaningful communication.
Design Illustration 1 to 4ID1 to ID4. 6/24 credit points
Builds the knowledge and skills to create visual images across a variety of illustrative media and styles in support of design projects. Students explore hand and digital illustration to communicate design outcomes, developing a visual language that transcends words and equips graduates to work on a global scale.
Interior Design specialisation subjects
Interior Design 1 to 4DI1 to DI4. 6/24 credit points
Develops students' ability to interpret a design brief and generate a considered interior design concept in response, applying design theory, spatial planning and materiality across residential, hospitality and retail projects. Each trimester centres on developing and pitching a design proposal to a review panel, with the resulting concept carried into Interior Workshop for technical development, documentation and delivery.
Interior Workshop 1 to 4IW1 to IW4. 24/96 credit points
Each trimester integrates and applies learning from every other subject into a major industry-style project, developing both creativity and discipline-specific technical practice. Projects progress from residential to commercial hospitality and retail design.
THE PROJECTS
In this accelerated four-trimester degree, you'll complete four industry-focused projects in the workshop subjects that mirror the real briefs faced by today's leading interior designers. Each trimester builds toward a major end-of-trimester project, progressing in scale and complexity from residential to commercial design.
Trimester One
Residential Foundations
Students design a primary bedroom, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, incorporating trend forecasting alongside foundational spatial planning and documentation skills.
Trimester Two
Luxury Residential Apartment Design
Students design a full luxury residential apartment, developing their skills in materiality, layout and high-end finish specification.
Trimester Three
Multi-Space Interior Design
Students take on a multi-space interior design project with a strong focus on advanced colour theory and print, translating a design concept into a cohesive, fully documented residential scheme. Introduction to Revit drafting.
Trimester Four
Commercial Hospitality & Retail Design
Students design a commercial hospitality or retail space, with an emphasis on technical drafting and construction documentation. Further development of Revit drafting skills.
Later, in the Bachelor of Design
The Associate Degree covers 4 of the 6 trimesters required for the Bachelor of Design. Continue straight into Trimester Five with full credit, and take these on next.
- Trimester FiveCommercial Office Design
- Trimester SixSignature Graduate Project
CAREER OUTCOMES
The Associate Degree gives you the technical and design skills to step straight into the interiors industry. Graduates go on to roles such as design coordinator, junior interior designer or CAD operator, or continue into the Bachelor of Design to broaden their practice.
Graduates go on to work as
Design & studio practice
Junior Interior Designer / Design Coordinator / Design Assistant
Product & materials
Showroom Consultant / Interior Product Assistant / Model Maker
Commercial & specialist
CAD Operator / Revit Drafter / Hospitality & Retail Design Assistant
Media & creative
Interior Stylist Assistant / Set Design Assistant / Exhibition Assistant
Featured alumni
INTERIOR CAREERS
Sydney, per year
Source: Bespoke Careers Salary Guide, Sydney 2026.
“...Enrolling in the Whitehouse Interior Design program not only changed my career, but also my life.”
FACILITIES
With purpose-built design campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Whitehouse students work within professional-standard environments designed around the way the industry actually operates. Not lecture halls, but studios, workshops and resources you'll use in your specialisation every week.
Professional design studiosAdobe Creative Cloud suiteIndustry partnerships and sourcing networkResearch servicesView detailsHide details
Professional design studios
Fully-equipped studios and computer labs give you the space to move between manual and digital design methods - from technical drawing to 3D designs to digital documentation using industry-standard tools such as SketchUp, AutoDesk Revit. Every interior design student receives free access to these tools for the duration of their studies (Revit is normally about $4.4k per year).
Adobe Creative Cloud suite
Every student receives free access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite, giving you the same tools used across professional design. From week one you'll work in Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.
Industry partnerships and sourcing network
Interior Design happens through relationships, and Whitehouse connects students to the network professionals rely on. Across your projects you'll engage with industry suppliers, hire companies, fabric and materials specialists, showrooms and brand partners, learning how to source, negotiate and pull together everything an interior design project demands. Access to industry specialists means the briefs you work on mirror real production conditions, so you graduate already knowing how to build and manage the collaborations behind a professional creative outcome.
Research services
Interior Design students draw on industry-grade trend-forecasting services and a specialist design library, developing the research rigour behind every strong creative decision, from mood and colour direction to sourcing and concept.
Whitehouse continually updates and expands its resources to ensure every student has extensive design research support throughout their degree.
FEES
| 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Trimester Tuition Fee (full-time study) | $14,610 |
| Indicative Average Unit Fee (5 units) | $2,922 |
Domestic fees
All Design courses are FEE-HELP eligible for domestic students. No upfront payment for tuition fees needed if eligible.
Fees exclude course materials and technical kits.
International fees
See the International section for information on international fees.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the Associate Degree of Design with specialisation in Interior Design, submit a direct application through the Whitehouse Institute of Design website.
Whitehouse has no application fees.
Important dates
Applications for Whitehouse's Associate Degree of Design with specialisation in Interior Design are open year-round, with three main intakes each year - February, June and September. Applications typically open within 6 to 12 months of the intake commencing. We recommend applying early to secure your preferred campus and start date.
Entry requirements
- ATAR
- No ATAR required
- Academic
- Completion of Year 12 or equivalent
- Design Meeting
- All applicants attend a Design Meeting
- Portfolio
- All applicants provide a portfolio
Here are the main requirements to get you started. The full entry requirements are in the links below, and our team is happy to talk them through.
In addition to standard entry requirements, international students must have a minimum level of English language skills as well as a valid and appropriate visa for studying in Australia.
FAQS
What is the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design at Whitehouse?
The Associate Degree of Design with specialisation in Interior Design builds on residential foundations and takes you into commercial design practice. It is delivered on campus at Whitehouse in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, covering spatial planning, materiality, colour and technical documentation across residential, multi-space, hospitality and retail projects.
How long is the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design?
The Whitehouse Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design takes 4 accelerated trimesters at a full-time load of five subjects per trimester, and it is also offered part-time. It comprises 12 core subjects and 8 Interior Design specialisation subjects, totalling 192 credit points.
When are the intakes for the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design?
Whitehouse has three main intakes each year for the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design, in February, June and September. Applications are open year-round and typically open 6 to 12 months before the intake starts.
What will I learn in the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design?
You will learn space planning, drafting and technical specification, technical documentation covering interior construction and regulation, colour theory and decorative product selection, and professional practice. You train in SketchUp, Autodesk Revit and Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop), and every Whitehouse interior design student gets free access to SketchUp and Revit for the duration of their studies.
What projects will I complete in the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design?
You complete four industry-focused projects, progressing from residential to commercial design: Residential Foundations (a primary bedroom, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe), Luxury Residential Apartment Design, Multi-Space Interior Design, and Commercial Hospitality and Retail Design. Each trimester you pitch your proposal to a review panel, with 20+ hours of face-to-face studio time a week at Whitehouse.
Do you learn graphic design in the Associate Degree of Design?
There is a lot of overlap, as the Digital Design subject is best described as a graphic design course within your degree. You develop core graphic design principles using Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Lightroom and InDesign, and apply them directly to your interior design projects across print and digital formats.
What jobs can I get with an Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design?
The Whitehouse Associate Degree gives you the technical and design skills to step straight into the interiors industry. Graduates go on to roles such as Junior Interior Designer, Design Coordinator, Design Assistant, CAD Operator, Revit Drafter, Showroom Consultant, and Hospitality and Retail Design Assistant.
Can I continue from the Associate Degree into the Bachelor of Design in Interior Design?
Yes. The Associate Degree covers 4 of the 6 trimesters required for the Whitehouse Bachelor of Design, so you can continue straight into Trimester Five with full credit. The Bachelor then adds Commercial Office Design and a Signature Graduate Project exhibited at the annual Graduate Exhibition.
What are the entry requirements for the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design?
No ATAR required. You need to have completed Year 12 or equivalent, attend a Design Meeting and provide a portfolio, and international students also need a minimum level of English and a valid visa. All Whitehouse courses have no ATAR requirement, as an ATAR does not assess how well a student will succeed creatively.
What is a creative portfolio?
A creative portfolio is a selection of your best work, usually 4 to 6 examples, in mediums such as illustration, digital design, photography, film, creative writing, textile design or fine art. Whitehouse uses it to assess your creative potential, looking for an understanding of design, innovative thinking and the ability to develop ideas independently.
What if I don't have a creative portfolio?
Call Whitehouse on 1300 551 433 or email study@whitehouse-design.edu.au if you don't have a creative portfolio or have questions about yours. Whitehouse also runs short workshops throughout the year to help applicants develop their portfolio.
What high school subjects are recommended for the Associate Degree of Design?
Recommended Year 11 and 12 subjects include Design and Technology, Visual Arts, Visual Communication, Textiles and Design, and Modern or Ancient History, but Whitehouse has no compulsory prerequisite subjects.
How much does the Associate Degree of Design in Interior Design cost, and is FEE-HELP available?
In 2026 the trimester tuition fee for full-time study is $14,610, with an indicative average unit fee of $2,922 (based on 5 units), and fees exclude course materials and technical kits. The course is FEE-HELP approved, so eligible domestic students need no upfront tuition payment.
FEE-HELP limits apply. Check the latest limits and eligibility on the Australian Government's StudyAssist website.
Can I get academic credit for my previous studies?
Yes, possibly. Whitehouse may award credit for accredited subjects completed at another provider or for relevant industry experience, and Advanced Standing to students who have completed courses in a similar field, which may reduce the length of your study; contact Admissions or discuss it during your Design Meeting.
Can I defer my enrolment in the Associate Degree of Design?
Yes. If you have received an offer but aren't ready to start, you can defer to the next intake without reapplying, as long as you do so before the census date.
Can I talk to someone about my application?
Yes, absolutely. Call Whitehouse on 1300 551 433, email study@whitehouse-design.edu.au or book a campus tour, and when you're ready, apply directly on the Whitehouse website with no application fee.
What AQF level is the Associate Degree of Design, Interior Design?
The Associate Degree of Design, Interior Design is an AQF Level 6 qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework, one level below a bachelor degree. Graduates can continue into the Whitehouse Bachelor of Design (AQF Level 7) with full credit for their completed trimesters.
Still have questions? Call 1300 551 433.
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