MSF50218 Diploma of Interior Design

National ID
MSF50218
WA Course Code
BEC5
CRICOS code
0101517
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Why choose this course?

Turn your creative flair into a career in interior design. This two year course will give you an understanding of the nature of environmental space and spatial ambience with the ability to manipulate the relationship of spaces, objects and products within the surrounding space.

You will gain the skills to approach a variety of design problems with creativity and be sensitive to the requirements of a design brief. During your studies you will develop and respond to client briefs, specify furniture, finishes and equipment, colours, lighting, hard and soft materials and fixtures. You will also gain the skills to provide hand drawings, use auto computer-aided design (CAD) applications and illustrate design proposals.

You will work on simulated live projects with many different briefs from a wide range of industry disciplines. There are also opportunities to participate in industry visits and enter competitions that also engages with industry.

Once you complete this diploma you have the opportunity to study for a further year in the MSF60118 Advanced Diploma of Interior Design.

Career opportunities

  • Design Project Administrator
  • Interior Designer

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 5.5 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Equivalent to Australian Year 12.

  • OR Completion of CUA30720 Certificate III in Design Fundamentals is required for entry into this course.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Please refer to the Non-Tuition Fees section of your Letter of Offer for any additional requirements where a cost may be incurred.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2024

Duration | 4 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2024
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $24,960
  • Resources fee: $1,168
  • Materials fee: $472

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however students are encouraged to undertake internships in the second year of the Diploma and Lecturers may be able to assist with industry contacts for this purpose.

To achieve this qualification students must demonstrate competency in 27 units of competency. These 27 units are comprised of 10 core units and 17 elective units.


Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBDES302 Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
  • BSBDES303 Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
  • BSBDES502 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
  • MSFID4013 Design residential interior lighting
  • MSFID4014 Produce digital models and documentation for interior design projects
  • MSFID4016 Design colour schemes for interior and exterior spaces
  • MSFID5020 Design residential interiors
  • MSFID5021 Evaluate site structure and services for interior design briefs
  • MSFID5022 Explore and apply creative design methodology to interior space
  • MSFID5025 Develop residential interior design project documentation
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBDES401 Generate design solutions
  • BSBDES602 Research global design trends
  • CUAACD301 Produce drawings to communicate ideas
  • CUAACD303 Produce technical drawings
  • CUAILL401 Develop and refine illustrative work
  • CUAPPR503 Present a body of own creative work
  • CUAPPR504 Establish and maintain environmentally sustainable creative practice
  • CUAPPR602 Collaborate in professional creative projects
  • MSFID4012 Decorate residential interiors
  • MSFID4017 Research and recommend furniture and accessories
  • MSFID4018 Research and recommend hard materials and finishes for interiors
  • MSFID4019 Research interior decoration and design influences
  • MSFID4021 Design soft furnishing solutions for interior spaces
  • MSFID5016 Develop decoration proposals for complex sites
  • MSFID5018 Provide interior styling service
  • MSFID5023 Design for all ages and abilities
  • MSFID6013 Design interiors for hospitality environments

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include research to inform design decisions and practical demonstration during class time, as well as oral questioning during presentations and folio compilation for final design and assessment submissions. Evidence of skills is also gathered in the form of observed performance, project outcomes and portfolio documents, knowledge will be tested through oral questions during presentations and in writing of briefs, reports, schedules and quizzes and by a written knowledge test.

Assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is provided in the Assessment Matrix, Learning Assessment Plan and Assessment tools. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. Learning resources may include access to learning plans, assessment tools, lecturer notes, PowerPoints, previous student examples, Blackboard online resources, workbooks, CAD drawings,  work books for drawing, plans and documentation drawing used for projects, drawing examples, templates for schedules and project management templates.

Facilities and equipment may include access to design studios equipped with display screens, presentation boards, Wi-Fi, AV screens, drafting tables and preparation areas, lecture theatres, computer labs with both PC and MAC browsers, specialised software (AutoCAD 2018, Sketch up 2018, SU Podium, Adobe, Microsoft office) and special equipment such as portable technical drawing boards and drafting, cutting and mounting equipment.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 4 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $24,960
  • Resources fee: $1,168
  • Materials fee: $472

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however students are encouraged to undertake internships in the second year of the Diploma and Lecturers may be able to assist with industry contacts for this purpose.

To achieve this qualification students must demonstrate competency in 27 units of competency. These 27 units are comprised of 10 core units and 17 elective units.


Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBDES302 Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
  • BSBDES303 Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
  • BSBDES502 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
  • MSFID4013 Design residential interior lighting
  • MSFID4014 Produce digital models and documentation for interior design projects
  • MSFID4016 Design colour schemes for interior and exterior spaces
  • MSFID5020 Design residential interiors
  • MSFID5021 Evaluate site structure and services for interior design briefs
  • MSFID5022 Explore and apply creative design methodology to interior space
  • MSFID5025 Develop residential interior design project documentation
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBDES401 Generate design solutions
  • BSBDES602 Research global design trends
  • CUAACD301 Produce drawings to communicate ideas
  • CUAACD303 Produce technical drawings
  • CUAILL401 Develop and refine illustrative work
  • CUAPPR503 Present a body of own creative work
  • CUAPPR504 Establish and maintain environmentally sustainable creative practice
  • CUAPPR602 Collaborate in professional creative projects
  • MSFID4012 Decorate residential interiors
  • MSFID4017 Research and recommend furniture and accessories
  • MSFID4018 Research and recommend hard materials and finishes for interiors
  • MSFID4019 Research interior decoration and design influences
  • MSFID4021 Design soft furnishing solutions for interior spaces
  • MSFID5016 Develop decoration proposals for complex sites
  • MSFID5018 Provide interior styling service
  • MSFID5023 Design for all ages and abilities
  • MSFID6013 Design interiors for hospitality environments

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include research to inform design decisions and practical demonstration during class time, as well as oral questioning during presentations and folio compilation for final design and assessment submissions. Evidence of skills is also gathered in the form of observed performance, project outcomes and portfolio documents, knowledge will be tested through oral questions during presentations and in writing of briefs, reports, schedules and quizzes and by a written knowledge test.

Assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is provided in the Assessment Matrix, Learning Assessment Plan and Assessment tools. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. Learning resources may include access to learning plans, assessment tools, lecturer notes, PowerPoints, previous student examples, Blackboard online resources, workbooks, CAD drawings,  work books for drawing, plans and documentation drawing used for projects, drawing examples, templates for schedules and project management templates.

Facilities and equipment may include access to design studios equipped with display screens, presentation boards, Wi-Fi, AV screens, drafting tables and preparation areas, lecture theatres, computer labs with both PC and MAC browsers, specialised software (AutoCAD 2018, Sketch up 2018, SU Podium, Adobe, Microsoft office) and special equipment such as portable technical drawing boards and drafting, cutting and mounting equipment.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process for detailed advice

Cutoff dates to apply for TAFE Semester 2, 2023:

  • Students not in Australia: applications close Friday 19 May 2023.
  • Students already in Australia: applications will be assessed depending on availability.
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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on November 30, 2022