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Interior Design Consultant

Interior Design Consultants create and decorate indoor spaces for residential and commercial clients, using design software and collaborating with tradespeople.

How do I become a interior design consultant

Get qualified to work as a interior design consultant with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

You can become an Interior Design Consultant in Australia with a VET qualification such as the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration, Diploma of Interior Design, or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design. However, you will increase your earning potential and employment prospects, with a degree. Higher education choices include: Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design, Bachelor of Interior Design, or Master of Design. Some design firms and education providers offer paid internships for emerging interior designers. As your career progresses, consider supporting qualifications to widen your skillset: Graduate Diploma in Design (Sustainable Design), Master of Interior Architecture, Master of Business Administration (MBA).

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The average weekly earnings for Interior Designers in Australia is currently $1,600 per week ($83,200 annually). These are median figures for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. Self-employed Interior Design Consultants usually earn much higher salaries.

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There are approximately 17,300 Interior Designers working in Australia right now. This occupation has excellent employment prospects with 19.1% growth expected in the next 3-5 years. Interior Design Consultants are usually self-employed but there are also direct employment opportunities with design houses, furniture stores, and architectural firms.

Source: Labour Market Insights, Jobs and Skills Australia 2024.

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Further reading

How to become an interior designer in Australia

23rd May 2024

How to start a Career in Human-Centred Design

21st October 2024

Most popular design courses

30th May 2022

Interior Design Consultant careers

Interior Design Consultants are self-employed professionals who design and decorate indoor spaces for clients. They design for both residential and commercial interiors, using industry-standard technologies (e.g. AutoCAD) to present their design ideas and working closely with construction teams and tradespeople.

As an Interior Design Consultant you could be getting to know a new client and learning about their vision and design preferences, preparing a set of colour swatches that includes paints and fabrics, sketching an initial design concept for skylights over a living room, negotiating prices with a furniture store, supervising the construction of walk-in robes, arranging furniture and wall frames, or walking through a completed remodelling project with a client and sharing their surprise and delight.

To be successful in this role you will need a clear design aesthetic, be highly organised, and have great communication skills. You’ll also need an up-to-date knowledge of the latest interior design trends and technologies.