NIDWG: A Coordinated National Push for Interior Design Recognition
The DIA National Interior Design Working Group (NIDWG) met online on Thursday 7 May for its first meeting under new CEO Simone LeAmon, with members joining from every state. Chair Mel Mackenzie set an ambitious agenda spanning state advocacy, accreditation, OSCA, APSDA and the modernisation of the National Construction Code (NCC) consultation.
Sol Bread and Wine by COX Architecture. Alec Bruce Mason Photography.
Advocacy gaining ground
DIA's submission to Treasury's NCC Modernisation review was lodged on 11 March, seeking amendment of the NCC Dictionary definition of interior design and addition of the profession to the ABCB's National Registration Framework. Tasmania's CBOS application for a dedicated interior design category awaits response, Queensland engagement with Minister O'Connor's office has generated promising interest, and South Australia continues to recognise interior designers in their pre-qualification framework for projects above $165,000.
Victoria has emerged as an urgent priority: the rebranded Building and Plumbing Commission has rolled building designers' qualifications into a "building design practitioner (interior)" category that requires no interior content.
National consensus within reach
Three resolutions are being progressed: a national Scope of Work defined by building class, the 12 DIA Design Competencies framework, and the Accredited Designer™ roadmap. The new MemberConnex platform launching 1 July will separate accreditation from membership and surface a Career Pathway feature linked to DIA's learning platform and CPD.
OSCA, APSDA and what's next
DIA's OSCA 2027 submission was lodged with the ABS on 24 April, supported by the Make Design Count and Define Design campaigns. An APSDA regional report covering 9 of 14 member economies confirmed Australia as the sole high-cost outlier on construction standards access. A national awareness campaign will precede the 11 August Census, and DIA partner Schiavello has offered to host a national gathering of working group members in Melbourne.
NIDWG members have been asked to review key advocacy documents on the Google shared drive by 31 May.