Ghanashyambhai Bhagvanbhai Vaghani Dec 23, 2025

Top 10 Tips to Land a Job in the Interior Design Industry in Sydney

The top 10 tips to land an interior design job include building strong design skills, creating a standout portfolio, preparing a job-ready resume & cover letter, staying updated on industry trends, and more. The developing interior design industry in Sydney supports both commercial and residential designers. However, securing that ideal job in a creative discipline requires some planning to mix your creativity with professional awareness.

In this guide, let us discuss useful tips that assist with navigating the interior design industry, from entry-level roles through to roles in speciality areas. We can also discuss ways that we can earn and thrive as a designer professional in Sydney, Australia.

10 Tips to Enter a Job in the Interior Design Industry

To become an interior designer or to find a job in the interior design field, you need to take certain steps. The following are the top 10 tips that help you get a job in the interior design industry:

Get to know the Interior Design industry and network
Stay Active and Visible on Digital Platforms
Learn From the Experienced Professionals in the Interior Design Industry
Build Your Interior Design Skills
Build real-world experience in the Interior Design Industry
Develop Strong Communication and Presentation Skills
Create an Eye-Catching Interior Design Portfolio
Prepare a Job-Focused Resume and Cover Letter
Understand the Trends in Business Aspects of Design
Prepare Thoroughly for Interviews in the Interior Design Sector

1. Get To Know the Interior Design Industry and Network

Understanding the interior design industry is the first step to becoming a skilled professional in the design sector. So, you can start by utilising your quality time for researching the following:

The key design firms and studios in the Sydney region.
The trends in the marketplace for commercial, residential and sustainable design.
The new tools, software and techniques emerging in design.

Networking is as important, so try to attend design expos, workshops and webinars. Joining professional organisations and building relationships helps you:

For mentorship from experienced designers.
To hear about new employment opportunities before they are advertised.
To discuss what to expect in the real world and work environment.

Also Read: 8 Best Interior Design Software Tools

2. Stay Active and Visible on Digital Platforms

In a digital-first world, your digital presence is as important as your portfolio. Having a strong digital presence not only attracts potential employers but also shows you are an active and informed designer. Stay Active and Visible on digital platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram or Pinterest allows you to:

Share your projects, sketches, or design ideas
Connect with industry professionals and thought leaders
Share insights, tutorials, or design strategies to demonstrate your thought leadership

3. Learn From Experienced Professionals

Mentorship and observation accelerate your learning. By connecting with experienced designers, you can:

Understand how design concepts are implemented in real projects
Learn effective problem-solving techniques and workflow management
Gain insights into client handling and project management

Enrol in an Interior Design course/Internship, an apprenticeship, or seek an opportunity to work under a professional so you can learn from real tasks in real time. Online forums and industry groups can also help you connect with experts willing to share advice.

Read this to know about the Key Benefits of pursuing an Interior Design Course

4. Build Your Interior Design Skills

Develop both technical and creative skills to stay competitive in the design sector. The key areas include:

Design Software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, 3ds Max, Photoshop
Core Skills: Space planning, colour theory, lighting design, and material selection
Emerging Trends: Sustainable and smart design, VR/AR for visualisation

Continuous learning through online courses, certifications, and workshops ensures your portfolio and skill set remain relevant, helping you progress to mid-level and senior roles.

Check this out to find the Top 5 Skills You Need to Make it as an Interior Designer

5. Build real-world experience in the Interior Design Industry

Hands-on experience is critical. Participate in internships, freelance projects, or volunteer opportunities to:

Learn project workflows, site management, and client interactions
Develop problem-solving, budgeting, and project management skills
Enhance your portfolio with tangible, real-world examples

Many employers in Sydney prefer candidates who have completed internships because they require less onboarding and can contribute immediately. Job portals like LinkedIn, Seek, and Indeed frequently list entry-level interior design roles and internships.

6. Develop Strong Communication and Presentation Skills

Interior designers must explain ideas to clients, contractors, and teams. Effective communication helps you:

Clearly articulate design concepts and choices
Create persuasive presentations and mood boards
Build trust and credibility with clients

Practise verbal and written communication, public speaking, and storytelling. Strong presentation skills can set you apart during interviews and client meetings.

7. Create an Eye-Catching Interior Design Portfolio

A portfolio is your most powerful tool that ensures you shine and stand out:

Utilise projects of various kinds that really show off your creativity and technical ability or problem-solving.
Showcase high-quality images, sketches, 3D models and photographs.
Provide information about the project, what your role was, what the objectives were and what was resolved.

A professional portfolio allows employers to see your strengths and how you could contribute to the team.

8. Prepare a Job-Focused Resume and Cover Letter

For an interviewer, your resume and cover letter are the first impression. To make that job focused, follow these:

Tailor them to the specific job and company
Highlight relevant software skills, internships, project experience, and achievements
Keep your resume concise, visually appealing, and easy to scan

A strong, targeted application increases your chances of being shortlisted for interviews.

For further reference, check out these key tips on how you can upskill your resume

9. Understand the Trends in Business Aspects of Design

Interior designers must be aware of the business side of the profession. Key areas include:

Project management, budgeting, and cost estimation
Client relations and negotiation
Emerging industry trends, such as sustainable, commercial, or luxury design

Understanding these aspects ensures your designs are not only creative but also practical, feasible, and aligned with client expectations.

10. Prepare Thoroughly for Interviews in the Interior Design Sector

Successful interviews require interview preparation. Confidence, professionalism, and the ability to articulate your design ideas effectively will leave a strong impression on potential employers.

To make your interviews in the Interior Design sector more effective, follow these steps:

Research the company, its design style, and recent projects
Review your portfolio and be ready to discuss your design process and decisions
Practice common interview questions and case scenarios

You can also read this for useful tips to simplify your interview.

Interior Design Job Roles & Salary Insights in Sydney, Australia

The interior design market in Sydney is strong and expanding, with rising demand currently in residential, commercial and sustainable design work. Salaries vary depending on skill level, speciality, and role. Entry-level designers generally start off with a modest compensation package, whereas people with experience can earn substantially more. Knowing more about the salary ranges can help future designers understand what to expect and how to follow the career path more logically.

Here is a table that provides you a list of salary ranges that you can expect in various interior design job roles

Job Role / Level	Salary (AUD)
Entry-Level / Junior Interior Designer	AU$50,000 – AU$60,000 per year
Mid-Level Interior Designer	AU$65,000 – AU$90,000 per year
Senior Interior Designer	AU$90,000 – AU$120,000+ per year
Interior Designer (Average / All Levels)	AU$68,114 per year
Specialist / Lead Roles	AU$105,000+ per year

Factors Affecting Salaries in the Interior Design Sector

The following are the key factors that affect the salaries of a professional in the interior design field:

Experience: More experienced designers earn higher salaries.
Specialisation: Niche expertise like luxury, commercial, or sustainable design can increase pay.
Company & Project Type: Large firms and high-budget projects often pay more.
Freelance vs Permanent: Freelancers may negotiate higher rates but lack full-time benefits.

Findings

Entering a job in the interior design industry is more effective when you follow these ten tips. Starting with developing excellent design skills, creating a job-oriented CV and cover letter, and staying current on industry trends with your professional portfolio, can help you achieve this goal

Apply this ten advice today to shape a rewarding and creative career. You can also formally explore some education, such as the Interior Design Course in Sydney, and consequently develop the skills that employers are looking for.

FAQs

1. Will I need a degree to get an interior design job in Australia?

A degree may not be necessary. Some employers will accept someone who has an interior design course qualification and great software skills, along with a polished portfolio.

2. How essential is a portfolio for interior design jobs?

A portfolio is key. Employers will usually look at a portfolio to see your design style, creativity and technical skills. If you have a great portfolio, it can offset any lack of experience you have.

3. Do you think a beginner can land an entry-level interior design job in Sydney?

Yes, definitely. You can be a beginner interior designer with basic software experience, have internship experience, and have a polished portfolio and still land a junior designer or assistant designer role.

4. What software should every beginner interior designer learn?

We think that the industry needs AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit and 3D visualisation as the essential skills for most studios.

5. Is interior design a high-paying career?

Earnings vary by experience, location, and niche. Senior designers and specialised roles, such as sustainable designers or 3D visualisation artists, typically earn higher salaries.

Ghanashyambhai Bhagvanbhai Vaghani

Graphic & 3D Visualization Trainer

Ghanashyambhai Bhagvanbhai Vaghani is a Graphic & 3D Visualization Trainer with over 15 years of training experience. His expertise spans multiple disciplines, including interior design, graphic design, 3Ds Max and UI/UX development. Ghanashyambhai is an Adobe Creative Suite Specialist with expertise in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Blender. He is also a highly sought-after corporate trainer with exceptional skills in digital content creation and architectural visualization. During his career, he has guided over 5,000 students through professional design education.

He holds a Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects from Frameboxx India and has served as faculty at prestigious institutions, including IIFT and IDT India. His experience with E Train India has further refined his ability to deliver effective technical training. Ghanashyambhai employs a practical, project-based teaching methodology. His approach combines technical training with real-world applications.