Interior Designers (2024)

Overview

EMPLOYED

16,400

PART-TIME SHARE

29%

FEMALE SHARE

81%

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

$2,612

MEDIAN AGE

38

ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

-200

About this data

Summary

Interior Designers plan, design, detail and supervise the construction of commercial, industrial, retail and residential building interiors to produce an environment tailored to a purpose, with particular emphasis on space creation, space planning, and factors that enhance living and working environments.

Tasks

  • Determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders
  • Researching and analysing spatial, functional, efficiency, safety and aesthetic requirements
  • Formulating design concepts for building interiors
  • Preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and plans to communicate design concepts
  • Negotiating design solutions with clients, management, suppliers and construction staff
  • Selecting, specifying and recommending functional and aesthetic materials, furniture and products for interiors
  • Detailing and documenting selected design for construction
  • Supervising the construction of interiors

ANZSCO Classification

Details

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    Earnings and Hours

    Source: Share of workers who work full-time hours: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Average full-time hours worked per week: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Median full-time earnings per week and Median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023, customised report.
    Earnings and Hours Interior Designers All Occupations
    Share of workers who work full-time hours 71% 70%
    Average full-time hours worked per week 43 hours 44 hours
    Median full-time earnings per week $2,612 $1,697
    Median hourly earnings $65 $43

    Industries

    Interior Designers work in industries like:

    Source: Ranked using ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average data, custom report.

    States and territories

    New South Wales

    38.1%

    Victoria

    28.0%

    Queensland

    15.6%

    South Australia

    7.9%

    Western Australia

    8.1%

    Tasmania

    0.6%

    Northern Territory

    0.6%

    Australian Capital Territory

    1.0%

    Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia trend data.

    Age and gender

    Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Age and Gender Interior Designers All Occupations
    Median age 38 years 39 years
    Female share of employment 81% 48%

    Education

    Visit

    • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
    • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
    • Your Career to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Highest Level of Educational Attainment (% Share) All Occupations Interior Designers
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 12.2 8.5
    Bachelor degree 23.2 46.0
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.1 25.3
    Certificate III/IV 19.5 6.2
    Year 12 15.9 7.5
    Year 11 4.0 1.1
    Year 10 and below 9.7 1.8
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      Interior Designers (2024)

      FAQs

      How much should an interior design cost? ›

      The living room, often a focal point, sees a lot of attention in design planning. Basic interior costs for a living room might range from INR 20,000 to 50,000. In contrast, a more premium setup could cost between INR 75,000 to 1,00,000, depending on the furniture and finishes chosen.

      What does an interior designer actually do? ›

      Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting essential and decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. They must be able to draw, read, and edit blueprints.

      What do interior designers usually charge? ›

      On average you can expect to pay $100 to $200 per hour, typically totaling around $5,200 in design fees, not including the cost of furniture. Understanding the different levels of service that interior designers offer can help you determine if hiring one is the right choice for your project.

      Are interior designers worth the cost? ›

      Hiring an interior designer isn't just about making your home more aesthetically pleasing; it can also have some significant financial benefits. By utilizing an interior designer, you'll be able to make the most of your space, improving efficiency, and ultimately enhancing the value of your property.

      What is a good budget for interior design? ›

      As a general rule of thumb, we suggest allocating about 7-10% of the home's value for interior design expenses. This will give you a design with some "Mid-Range" products. If you're looking for "Designer" level finishes, we recommend budgeting about 25% of the home's overall value.

      What's the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator? ›

      Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building, while interior decorating is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorative elements to achieve a certain aesthetic. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.

      Do you really need an interior designer? ›

      With the expertise of an interior designer, they can help ensure that you complete your design within the budget and make sure you don't run out of money before it's complete. When purchasing pieces selected by a designer, you have the guarantee of not making expensive mistakes.

      Do interior designers need to draw? ›

      While mastery of drawing and perspective are fundamental for every interior designer, computer-aided design now is as well.

      What is included in interior design? ›

      Interior design involves almost all visual elements of a room – flooring, ceiling, walls, furniture, lights, upholstery, doors, windows, electronic items and accessories. Additionally, it also involves hidden elements such as electric wiring, plumbing, cement and plaster, and hardware.

      How many hours does it take to design a room? ›

      When everything arrives, follow your decorator's plans to put it all in place. This can trim your design time significantly. For 20 to 25 hours, you'll have a complete design for your room.

      Does interior design include furniture? ›

      Interior designers incorporate technical design, colour palettes, textiles, furniture placement and material specification to enhance the look and function of a space. During a project, interior designers may liaise with contractors, electricians, painters and plumbers to ensure the client's brief and budget is met.

      Should I tip my interior designer? ›

      Interestingly, when you're working with interior designers, the tipping custom is often reversed, with the professional providing the client with a small gift, such as an ornament or piece of soft furnishing, at the end of the project.

      When should you engage an interior designer? ›

      So in short, our answer is engage an interior designer as soon as possible! If you're using an Architect, you should engage the designer at the same time so that they can collaborate early in the piece, and make sure interiors specific aspects are not overlooked.

      How do interior designers set prices? ›

      Percentage Fee Structure:

      Some designers charge by the hour with a rate ranging between $150 to $500 an hour. Other designers will charge a percentage rate for the total cost of a project, which is as low as 10% and but as high as 25%. The primary benefit of a percentage rate is that there is no fee upfront.

      Is it worth going into interior design? ›

      Interior designing is a highly lucrative business, but it takes some time to build a high income from this profession. Whether you are starting your own thing or have a job in some firm, your pay initially can be less, and that is one of the most prevalent disadvantages of being an interior designer.

      Do interior designers save you money? ›

      The one thing that holds most people back from actually enlisting an interior designer? The cost. Working with an interior designer may seem like a luxury, but the truth is hiring one will almost always save you money on your project.

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