The Graduate Diploma in Design (Sustainable Design) is a practical postgraduate qualification designed to equip graduates with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable design thinking as it applies to the rapidly changing world of design and the built environment. Classified under Architecture and Building (AQF Level 8), this one-year program balances sustainable design theory with hands-on design application, allowing students to build on their previously acquired undergraduate knowledge and skill set. Core focal points include sustainability principles, emerging materials, new technologies, research methods, and design studio practice across fields such as architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, furniture design, planning and urban design, and contemporary art. Students engage in design research studio classes, sustainable design theory, research methods, and a selection of electives, developing both professional-practice capabilities and advanced analytical skills. The program is typically nested within a broader suite that includes a pathway to a Master of Design for those wishing to deepen their credentials further. Graduates are prepared to work across a wide range of industries and employer types including construction firms, property developers, architectural and engineering consultancies, sustainability advisory practices, government departments, urban planning agencies, renewable energy companies, materials research organisations, and educational institutions. Employers range from boutique sustainable design studios and Green Star-accredited consultancies to major infrastructure companies, real estate investment trusts, local and state government bodies, and global professional services firms with dedicated sustainability and climate change practices.

Applicants to a Graduate Diploma in Design (Sustainable Design) are typically required to hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant design or built environment discipline. Eligible fields commonly include architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, furniture design, planning and urban design, and contemporary art. Some providers also accept degrees from adjacent fields such as engineering, environmental science, or construction management where applicants can demonstrate sufficient design fundamentals. A minimum grade point average (GPA) — often equivalent to a Credit (65%) average or above — is generally expected, though this varies by institution. Some universities may also consider relevant professional work experience in lieu of, or in addition to, formal academic qualifications on a case-by-case basis. Applicants without a background in computer-aided design (CAD) may be required to discuss their study plan with a program director prior to enrolment. A portfolio of design work is not always formally required for this postgraduate qualification, but having one can strengthen an application, particularly where academic results are borderline. International students must demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test such as IELTS, with typical minimum scores of IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall (with specific band minimums, e.g. a minimum 6.0 in writing) or a TOEFL iBT score of 96 overall. All international qualifications are assessed on an equivalency basis and applications are considered competitively on an individual basis, with recognition of prior learning (RPL) available for relevant professional experience or prior postgraduate study.