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

Explore colour and design foundations

Explore key design principles and the inspiring world of colour before progressing to planning kitchens, bathrooms, living and outdoor spaces in a residential home.

Create dynamic interior schemes

Select and source furniture, finishes, window treatments and lighting to create mood boards and cohesive interior schemes and specifications. Then visualise your spaces in 3D.

Design homes and spaces to love

Work with a real client brief to create a concept, plan and present a fully resolved design for a client that balances practical needs with personal style.

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

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“The atmosphere is both creative and professional, and the teachers bring a genuine passion for interior design to every class.”

Nida Gerhardt

Student showcase

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.

Interior decoration student standing in a styled room with abstract art

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.