Job and Skills Australia (JSA) in its latest employment projections expects the job opportunities for interior designers to grow very strongly. According to the latest National Skills Commission Market Insights there are currently 16,800 employed of which 76% are defined female (compared to 17,000 for architects of which 31% are defined female) with anticipated growth of 19.1%. JSA says employment numbers are likely to reach 27,200 by 2026.   

That said, given the comparable employment numbers, it’s confounding to think that on the one hand interior designers are not being recognised by most state regulators for their important role in the construction industry supply chain.  Victoria being the only state that does recognise the profession, which is under the category of Draftsperson Building Design (Interiors).  We would prefer them to be Registered Interior Design Practitioners.

And on the other hand, the NSW government have just launched a $20.2mil Women in Construction Innovation Program to increase the number of women occupying trade and non-traditional construction roles to 15 per cent by 2030, with a view to create a more gender balanced construction industry.  

And in September 2022, under the Federal Governments Women in Leadership Program  researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) were awarded a $2.3 million grant to help attract, retain and progress women in the construction industry.

Here’s our position!  We welcome all individuals on the pathway to the interior design profession, embrace those working within it and thank those who have contributed their service to its advancement over many years.  We just want this to be recognised by each state building regulator.

We live, learn and / or work inside for much of the day.

Interior design is a specialist profession that requires a minimum of 3 years study (Degree + or equivalent) and many years of experience to master. Vocational training (Diploma, Advanced Diploma etc) provides important pathways into the profession.

Well-designed interiors can transform lives, improve work productivity, can alter our ability to learn for the better, can improve health recovery, can add value to a structure of any class and can result in transformational experiences.

And whilst in Australia, associations for architects, builders and engineers have the protection of royal charters, interior designers do not.  In 2004, Royal Charters no longer became available.

The next best option open to the profession is the pathway DIA have embarked upon i.e., to register a professional standards scheme for designers with the Professional Standards Authority.  Its an 18 month to 2-year process and requires a passage once approved through each state legislature.

Interestingly, the Society of Interior Designers of Australia was first formed in 1951 and merged with DIA in 1998. It’s time for the profession to insist that a consistent national legislative regime be adopted for the profession.