MSF40122 / ON CAMPUS / VIRTUAL / ONLINE
Certificate IV
in Interior Decoration
If you're the kind of person who rearranges furniture for fun, saves interior inspiration, or dreams of turning your own home into something special, this course is the perfect place to start.
Become an Interior Decorator
This hands-on Certificate IV in Interior Decoration builds your design skills and confidence one step at a time. Start with core design principles and the world of colour schemes, then move into space planning, furniture and finishes, creating cohesive interior schemes for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces.
Your final project puts it all together, a real client brief, a polished design, and the balance of practicality with personal style. Whether you join a studio, work in-house with an industry supplier, or launch your own venture, you’ll walk away with the skills, confidence and hands-on experience to turn your love of design into a career you actually love.
What you’ll learn
Learning options
On Campus
Soak up the atmosphere, get to know our community, dive into our sample library, attend events and make lifelong friendships.
Intakes
January or July
NSW Public School Terms
Duration
6-month duration
Wednesday & Thursday
Study 2 days per week
12-month duration
Friday
Study 1 day per week
Class times
Our classes run 9:30am – 4:30pm
AEST or AEDT
Fees
Domestic Students
Total Course Fee: AUD $9490 (GST free)
Deposit: AUD $990 (GST free)
International Students
Total Course Fee: AUD $11,980 (GST free)
Visa required
Additional costs
You will also need to purchase a Design Kit $660 (GST inc) prior to your course start date.
Please allow $50 per term for incidental costs eg. photocopying.
Instalment plans
You can pay in monthly instalments via Ezidebit.
Domestic Instalment Plan
International Instalment Plan
Virtual Studio
Engage and connect with creatives all over the world with our live Zoom classroom, study 2 days per week. No visa required.
Intakes
April or October
NSW Public School Terms
Duration
April Intake
6-month duration
Monday & Tuesday
Study 2 days a week
October Intake
6-month duration
Wednesday & Thursday
Study 2 days per week
Class times
Our classes run 9:30am – 4:30pm
AEST or AEDT
Check your own time zone using our online time zone converter.
Fees
All Students
Total Course Fee: AUD $8,290 (GST free)
Deposit: AUD $820 (GST free)
No Visa required
Additional costs
You will also need to purchase a Design Kit $660 (GST inc) prior to your course start date.
If you are located outside Australia, you will need to purchase the items independently. Please get in touch with our team to receive a list of the items needed.
Instalments
You can pay in monthly instalments via Ezidebit.
Click here to download instalment plan.
Online
Study at your own pace, from anywhere with our online school Interior Design Online. No visa required.
More Info
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this course, just bring your passion for design.
To study with us you will need a strong command of the English language (verbal, written and comprehension) and, if required by our team, be able to score at least 6 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test here or an equivalent.
If our team have concerns, we will be in contact with you by telephone to assess your English language proficiency, prior to an enrolment confirmation being sent. If your application is not successful due to your language ability your payment will be refunded in full.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the acknowledgement of a person’s competency, skills and knowledge which may have been acquired through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning.
Sydney Design School offers applicants the opportunity to apply for RPL and gain credit towards their course. There is a fee associated with an RPL application, please speak to our Course Advisor for more information.
Credit transfer
Sydney Design School offers a credit transfer to any applicant who provides suitable evidence that they have successfully completed a unit or module at any Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Computer requirements
All students require a laptop computer or tablet with a keyboard and access to the Internet.
Apply nowUnits of Study
VOC01: DESIGN FOUNDATIONS
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the interior decoration and design industries while building a strong foundation in essential skills such as colour schemes and freehand sketching.
VOC02: SPACE AND SCALE
Explore key principles of residential planning across a range of residential spaces including kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. Create lighting layouts and detailed floor plans to bring your ideas to life.
VOC03: INTERIOR SCHEMES
Build confidence in selecting and sourcing furniture, textiles, furnishings, upholstery and window treatments to meet diverse client briefs. Learn to present cohesive interior schemes.
VOC04: RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AND DECORATION
Consolidate your design skills by undertaking a real-world residential project - from initial briefing and space planning to the development of a complete interior furnishings scheme.
Units of competency
Click on the link below for a full list of competencies.
Download Units of Competency“The atmosphere is both creative and professional, and the teachers bring a genuine passion for interior design to every class.”
Nida Gerhardt
Student showcase
We’re extremely proud of our students’ work and what they achieve while they are with us. We aim to give them a broad range of skills, enabling them to apply what they’ve learned to any project and deliver it to an industry standard. blends creativity with real-world skills.
Meet an alumni
Claudia Lambert’s fascination with interiors began early, drawn to how a space can shift emotion and energy. After a career in psychology and styling on the side, she came to Sydney Design School to study the Cert IV in Interior Decoration, refine her skills and ground her creativity in real expertise.
Today, her studio Claudia Lambert Interiors is known for her refined curatorial sensibility, and her self-described role as a space sculptor.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a Decorator and an Interior Designer?
An Interior Designer works within the internal envelope of a space including walls, voids and stairs. They plan layouts and deal with technical elements such as building codes, materials and functionality.
An Interior Decorator focuses on the aesthetics within an existing space, choosing furniture, colour, textiles and decor to bring a room together.
Decorators predominately work in the residential sector.
What are the career opportunities at the end of the Certificate IV?
Graduates of the Certificate IV go on to work as Interior Decorators, Property Stylists, Colour Consultants or Sales Consultants, and many launch their own interiors business.
Our Career Coach will support you to identify career options to suit your lifestyle and areas of interest.
Is the Certificate IV a good option for a career changer?
For a career changer, the Cert IV in Interior Decoration course offers a low-risk way into a creative industry without committing to years of study.
There are a broad range of work options with many graduates starting their own business as they can build on their previous work experience.
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Can I study while working part-time?
Yes. On campus and virtual studio classes run two days a week during the day, leaving room for part-time work.
If you work full-time, our self-paced online mode with Interior Design Online delivers the same MSF40122 qualification with more flexibility.
Can I study this course as an international student?
Yes. However you will need to apply for a visa to study on campus and the pricing and the application process differ for international students. Our team will guide you through every step.
If you study in our virtual studio or self-paced online you won’t need a student visa and you will pay the fees as a domestic student.
Can I take this course just to renovate my own home?
This course is perfect for home renovators as it takes you through all aspects of planning and decorating a home. You will cover colour, space planning for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living and outdoor spaces.
For your final project you will develop a full interior scheme, and you will be able to apply this knowledge to your own renovation.
You’ll network and be connected to lots of different suppliers to the industry which will be invaluable.
Can I go onto the Diploma of Interior Design?
Yes. If you are ready to take your study further you can credit the four units of study in this course towards the Diploma of Interior Design.