Certificate IV in Interior Decoration

Certificate IV in Interior Decoration - MSF40122

VOCATIONAL

Create beautiful and functional spaces for residential and commercial environments.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

Prepare to make an impact in the thriving interior decoration industry.

In the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration, you will learn how to plan, design, decorate and style interior spaces. You’ll focus on the development of a project’s aesthetic, environmental, spatial and safety aspects, as well as your presentation skills.

As an interior decorator or stylist, you will:

  • create well-designed and functional spaces
  • decorate residential environments
  • present your decorating and styling ideas to clients
  • provide advice on colour schemes, layout, lighting, soft and hard wall and floor finishes, and soft furnishing products, furniture and interior accessories.
  • advise on interior styling and display for residential and commercial environments.

Why study interior decoration at RMIT?

Industry links

Collaborate on industry projects and gain work experience with major Australian companies.

Expert educators

Learn from industry-connected experts in design studios that mirror industry and retail settings.

Professional accreditation

Join the Design Institute of Australia as a student, then apply for associate membership on graduation.

Practical learning

Focusing on 2D and 3D design and their decorative aspects, you’ll learn how to effectively communicate concepts and design ideas to your clients.

Projects are anchored around evaluating areas in soft furnishings, colour, drawing and digital presentation based on historical and contemporary styles.

With this qualification, you can pursue a career as an interior decorator or interior stylist in a decoration or styling studio, in interior product manufacturing and retail environments.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

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Learning and teaching

The Certificate IV in Interior Decoration is delivered at the Melbourne City campus, working with experienced teachers who have up-to-date knowledge of industry, trends and innovations, and learning in state-of-the-art facilities.

You will be taught in design studios that mirror industry and retail settings, as is reflective of interior decorators’ consultancy practice.

You’ll learn through lectures, workshops, studios, online learning, classroom and industry presentations, and on-site visits. Practical demonstrations may be held in class or in an industry environment.

You’ll interact with key figures from established companies, modelling the consultancy practice of interior decorators for client presentations.

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes reports, verbal presentations, group projects, research and practical tasks.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

Throughout your study in the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration you have the opportunity to work on projects and collaborate with industry briefs.

The course content is reviewed regularly for currency and to keep the learning on global trend.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this certificate and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

The Certificate IV in Interior Decoration is offered full-time over one year or a part time over two years.

As a full time student your classes are delivered over three and a half days per week on campus throughout each 16-week semester.  

As a part time student your classes are delivered over 2 days on campus over each 16-week semester.  

You should also budget approximately 12 hours per week for research, study and assessment tasks.

Throughout the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration you will study decoration and styling briefs to develop your understanding of:

  • interior spatial planning
  • use of colour and colour theory including interior lighting
  • properties and use of hard and soft interior materials and products
  • how to source and specify soft furnishings, including furniture and accessories
  • interior decorative arts influences and how to apply them to your own work
  • how to develop, design and implement visual styling displays for commercial use.

Visual technology and communication skills underpin the presentation aspects of working as a designer or decorator. You will work with Photoshop and other industry-standard software.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Certificate IV in Interior Decoration
Program code: C4431
National curriculum code: MSF40122
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Certificate IV in Interior Decoration
City Campus
1 year
C4431
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year
Plan code
C4431
CRICOS
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

The Certificate IV in Interior Decoration qualifies you to be an interior decorator, stylist or assistant, giving you the skills and expertise to pursue a career in:

  • consultancies and shops
  • retail store furnishing
  • furniture, furnishings and fabric supplying
  • shop fitting 
  • colour consulting
  • self-employment.
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The program is closely linked with the DIA (Design Institute of Australia) - as students in this program, you will have the opportunity to join the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) as student members while studying, and as an associate member upon graduation. The DIA has a specific category for interior decorators and offers associate members professional recognition and information on all areas of decoration and design through seminars and forums. Please note that successful completion of this qualification is not dependent upon membership of the DIA.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this program. Applicants must meet the minimum University Entry requirements for this program.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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You must meet the entry requirements to gain access to this course. Please contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Fees

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Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2025 government subsidised place (with concession): AU$1,100* per annum
  • 2025 government subsidised place: AU$5,500* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$13,750* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

Materials fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.

If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information