Question 1

Who is EIDA Private Mentoring for?

Accepted Answer

Private Mentoring is available to designers at any stage of their professional journey - from students and graduates through to junior, intermediate and senior designers, leaders, freelancers, studio owners and established professionals.You do not need to be enrolled in another EIDA program to apply.

Question 2

Is Private Mentoring only for interior designers?

Accepted Answer

Private Mentoring is primarily designed for professionals working within interior design, interior architecture, spatial design, styling and related areas of the design industry.Applications from professionals working in closely related fields may also be considered where the mentoring topics fall within EIDA's area of expertise.

Question 3

How is Private Mentoring different from the Graduate Pathway?

Accepted Answer

The Graduate Pathway is a structured professional development program with defined learning outcomes, content and progression.Private Mentoring is completely individualised.There is no set curriculum. Sessions are shaped around your career stage, challenges, goals, professional development priorities and the real situations you are navigating at the time.

Question 4

Do I need to have a particular problem before applying?

Accepted Answer

No.Some mentees come to EIDA because they are navigating a specific issue, decision or transition. Others want an experienced professional perspective beside them while they grow into their next stage.Mentoring can be reactive, developmental or strategic.

Question 5

What can we work on during mentoring?

Accepted Answer

Communication and professional presenceTrust and relationship buildingGiving and receiving feedbackWorkplace dynamicsDifficult conversationsConfidence and professional identityCareer direction and progressionClient and stakeholder managementLeadership and influenceEmotional intelligenceProfessional boundariesNegotiationCommercial awarenessFees, scope and proposalsManaging expectationsCareer transitionsInterview preparationCV and portfolio positioningSalary and progression conversationsStudio leadershipBusiness-owner decision-makingTeam cultureProfessional positioningBusiness development conversationsYour priorities are identified at the beginning of the engagement and may evolve as the mentoring progresses.

Question 6

Will I receive templates or resources?

Accepted Answer

Where relevant to the topics being covered, you may receive EIDA frameworks, checklists, exercises, prompts or other professional development resources to support the work undertaken during your sessions.Resources are selected based on relevance rather than providing every mentee with the same library of material.

Question 7

Which mentoring package should I choose?

Accepted Answer

There are three levels of support:FOCUS - 3 SessionsBest suited to a defined challenge, decision or short-term professional priority.ADVANCE - 6 SessionsDesigned for deeper professional development across several interconnected areas.PARTNERSHIP - 12 SessionsDesigned for longer-term mentoring, professional growth, leadership, career progression or ongoing strategic support.If you're unsure, you can select “I'd like EIDA to recommend a package” within your application.You will never be encouraged into a larger package simply because it carries a higher investment.

Question 8

What if I choose the wrong package?

Accepted Answer

That's okay.Your selected package gives us an indication of the level of support you believe you need, but it does not lock you into that option when you apply.Your application will be reviewed and, where appropriate, EIDA may recommend a different package before you make any financial commitment.

Question 9

Can I upgrade my mentoring package later?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes.Where both you and EIDA believe additional mentoring would be beneficial, an upgrade may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.Any remaining sessions, investment already made and the appropriate structure for the extended engagement will be considered before a new arrangement is confirmed.

Question 10

Can I complete another mentoring package after mine finishes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, where both you and EIDA believe that continuing the mentoring relationship is the most appropriate next step.Returning mentees are not automatically required to complete the full application process again. Instead, you can contact Spiroula directly and provide any updated information relevant to the next phase of mentoring.

Question 11

Are mentoring sessions in person or virtual?

Accepted Answer

Where you are located within the Sydney region and meeting in person is reasonably practical, in-person mentoring is encouraged.Where distance, location or circumstances make this impractical, sessions can be delivered virtually.The most appropriate format will be discussed when your mentoring engagement is confirmed.

Question 12

Are all of my sessions booked in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes.Once your mentoring engagement is confirmed, your sessions will be scheduled in advance so that time is reserved for you across the agreed mentoring period.This also allows us to establish an appropriate rhythm for your development rather than approaching mentoring as isolated, ad-hoc conversations.

Question 13

How frequently do mentoring sessions occur?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the package, your objectives and the pace at which mentoring will be most useful.For example, some mentees benefit from weekly or fortnightly sessions during an intensive period, while others may prefer monthly mentoring to allow time for implementation between conversations.As a general guide:3 Sessions must usually be completed within 6 weeks.6 Sessions may be completed over a period of up to 6 months.12 Sessions may be completed over a period of up to 12 months.Alternative arrangements may be approved by EIDA where there is a genuine reason and the revised schedule remains appropriate for the mentoring engagement.

Question 14

Can I reschedule a session?

Accepted Answer

Yes.Where possible, at least 48 hours' notice should be provided if you need to reschedule.We understand that professional and personal circumstances can change, and reasonable rescheduling can be accommodated provided appropriate notice is given.

Question 15

What happens if I cancel at the last minute?

Accepted Answer

Sessions cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled start time will generally be considered used and will be deducted from your package.Where a serious or extraordinary circumstance has occurred, EIDA may choose to reinstate the session at its discretion.

Question 16

What happens if I don't attend my session?

Accepted Answer

A no-show without prior notice will result in the session being considered used.Private mentoring time is reserved specifically for you and may prevent another mentee from accessing that appointment.

Question 17

What happens if I don't use all of my sessions within the package timeframe?

Accepted Answer

Sessions should be completed within the agreed mentoring period.Where exceptional circumstances affect your ability to do so, contact EIDA before the package expires. Extensions may be approved at EIDA's discretion but are not automatic.

Question 18

Are sessions recorded?

Accepted Answer

Yes.Virtual Mentoring sessions may be recorded and shared with you for your personal reference so that you can revisit the discussion, actions and insights following your session.Recordings remain subject to the confidentiality and intellectual property provisions contained within your mentoring agreement. You may record in-person sessions if you choose - for your own private use only.

Question 19

Can I contact Spiroula between mentoring sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes.Mentees may use WhatsApp for reasonable check-ins, questions and feedback relating to the work being undertaken through their mentoring engagement.This access is available for the agreed duration of your package.Between-session contact is designed to support the mentoring process rather than replace scheduled mentoring sessions. More substantial discussions may therefore be carried into your next session.

Question 20

Is WhatsApp support unlimited?

Accepted Answer

No.The intention is to create meaningful continuity between sessions, not a 24/7 advisory service.Reasonable check-ins, brief questions, updates and feedback are welcome during your active mentoring period. Matters requiring detailed discussion, review or strategy are generally better addressed within a scheduled session.

Question 21

Why do I need to apply for Private Mentoring?

Accepted Answer

Private Mentoring is deliberately limited and involves a significant one-to-one commitment from both mentor and mentee.The application helps EIDA understand:Where you are professionallyWhat you want to work throughWhat you hope to achieveWhether mentoring is the appropriate type of supportWhich package may be most suitableWhether you have the capacity to engage meaningfullyWhether the investment appears appropriate for your circumstancesSubmitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Question 22

Does applying mean I have committed to pay?

Accepted Answer

No.Submitting an application creates no financial obligation.No payment is required unless your application is accepted, you receive a mentoring offer, you choose to proceed and you accept the relevant mentoring agreement.

Question 23

What happens after I submit my application?

Accepted Answer

Your application will be personally reviewed.From there, EIDA may:Offer you the package you requestedRecommend a different packageRequest additional informationInvite you to a complimentary suitability conversationRecommend that you defer mentoringDetermine that another form of professional support would be more appropriateWhere you are accepted, you will receive information confirming your package, payment structure, mentoring terms and next steps.

Question 24

What is the suitability conversation?

Accepted Answer

Where further discussion would help determine whether mentoring is appropriate, you may be invited to a brief complimentary conversation with Spiroula.This is not a free mentoring session.It is an opportunity to clarify your objectives, expectations and circumstances before either party makes a commitment.

Question 25

Is acceptance guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No.Private Mentoring places are intentionally limited, and EIDA considers both professional alignment and available mentoring capacity when reviewing applications.Being ready to invest does not automatically mean mentoring will be offered.

Question 26

If I am accepted, can I begin immediately?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily.Because Private Mentoring places are limited and sessions are scheduled in advance, accepted applicants may occasionally be offered a future commencement date.You will be advised of availability before you are required to confirm your engagement.

Question 27

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

Each package has its own payment structure.FOCUS - 3 SessionsPaid in full upon acceptance.ADVANCE - 6 Sessions50% upon acceptance and 50% before Session 4 or at the agreed halfway payment point.PARTNERSHIP - 12 SessionsPaid through six monthly payments across the package commitment.Your exact payment dates and obligations will be confirmed before you accept your mentoring agreement.

Question 28

Is the 12-session package a month-to-month subscription?

Accepted Answer

No.The monthly payment arrangement is simply a way of spreading the investment for the full 12-session mentoring package.Acceptance of the package represents a commitment to the complete mentoring engagement rather than a pay-as-you-go arrangement.

Question 29

Why does the application ask about financial readiness?

Accepted Answer

Because professional development should support your future without creating inappropriate pressure in your present. EIDA does not assess applicants based on wealth or income and will not ask you to disclose detailed personal finances.The financial-readiness questions simply help us identify whether the investment appears appropriate for you at this time. Where there is concern, we may recommend a smaller mentoring package, discussing your circumstances before proceeding or waiting until a later stage.There is no pressure to proceed.

Question 30

Can I arrange a different payment plan if I'm experiencing financial difficulty?

Accepted Answer

The existing package payment structures have been designed to provide different levels of commitment and payment flexibility.Where the investment would create genuine financial strain, EIDA's preference is generally to recommend a smaller commitment or defer mentoring rather than create increasingly extended payment arrangements.We want mentoring to be a considered professional investment - not a source of financial stress.

Question 31

What happens if a scheduled payment fails?

Accepted Answer

If a scheduled payment is unsuccessful, you will be contacted and given the opportunity to bring the account up to date. Future mentoring sessions may be paused while an overdue payment remains outstanding. Where the package is a fixed-term commitment, pausing sessions does not automatically cancel the remaining contractual payment obligations.

Question 32

Can my employer pay for my mentoring?

Accepted Answer

Yes.An employer, studio or organisation may fund an individual's Private Mentoring engagement.Unless otherwise agreed with you, payment by an employer does not give that organisation automatic access to the content of your mentoring conversations, session recordings or personal mentoring information.Any reporting or information-sharing arrangement requested by a sponsoring organisation must be discussed and agreed before mentoring commences.

Question 33

Can I transfer my package to another person?

Accepted Answer

No.Private Mentoring packages are offered following an individual application and suitability assessment and are therefore not transferable to another person.

Question 34

Can I change my mind after accepting a mentoring package?

Accepted Answer

You are given information about the service, investment, payment structure and commitment before accepting your mentoring offer so that you can make a considered decision. Once you accept the mentoring agreement and commit to the package, payments are generally non-refundable for change of mind or voluntary withdrawal. This does not limit any rights you may have under applicable Australian Consumer Law.

Question 35

What if extraordinary circumstances mean I genuinely can't continue?

Accepted Answer

Contact EIDA as early as possible.Serious illness, major family circumstances or other extraordinary events may be considered individually.Depending on the circumstances, EIDA may approve an extension, pause, alternative arrangement or other appropriate outcome at its discretion and subject to applicable legal obligations.

Question 36

Is Private Mentoring confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes.The effectiveness of mentoring depends on being able to speak openly about professional challenges, relationships, workplace situations and decisions.Information shared through your application and mentoring sessions is treated as confidential and handled in accordance with EIDA's Privacy Policy and mentoring terms, subject to any disclosure required by law or other limited circumstances identified within those terms.

Question 37

What if my employer is paying for my mentoring?

Accepted Answer

Your employer paying for the engagement does not automatically make your mentoring conversations available to them.If an employer requires attendance confirmation, progress reporting or another form of information sharing, the scope of that reporting should be agreed with you before mentoring commences.EIDA does not consider employer sponsorship to automatically remove the confidentiality of the mentoring relationship.

Question 38

Can I undertake Private Mentoring while completing the Graduate Pathway?

Accepted Answer

Yes.However, Graduate Pathway participants already receive mentoring support as part of their program.For that reason, we generally recommend using the mentoring included within your pathway before purchasing additional Private Mentoring so you receive maximum value from the program you have already joined.Where you have used your included mentoring sessions or require additional individual support outside the scope of the Graduate Pathway, you are welcome to apply for any Private Mentoring package.

Question 39

Is Private Mentoring required to complete the Graduate Pathway?

Accepted Answer

No.Private Mentoring is entirely optional and does not form an additional requirement for successful participation in the Graduate Pathway.It is available where an individual wants a greater level of personalised support beyond what is already included within their program.

Question 40

Is mentoring the same as coaching, consulting or therapy?

Accepted Answer

No.EIDA Private Mentoring is professional development informed by industry experience, strategic discussion, reflection, feedback and practical application.It is not psychological therapy, counselling, medical advice, legal advice or financial advice.Where the support you require falls outside the professional scope of the mentoring relationship, you may be encouraged to seek an appropriately qualified professional.

Question 41

Will you teach me design software or technical design skills?

Accepted Answer

Private Mentoring is not intended to provide technical software training, CAD tuition or substitute for formal design education.EIDA focuses primarily on the professional, interpersonal, commercial, strategic, career and leadership capabilities that surround technical design knowledge.

Question 42

Can we work on one of my actual design projects?

Accepted Answer

Real professional situations can absolutely provide context for mentoring.However, Private Mentoring is not a substitute for project-specific interior design consultancy, detailed design work or the provision of professional services that properly sit within a separate consultancy engagement.Where your needs move into that territory, this will be discussed with you.

Question 43

Can you review my CV or portfolio?

Accepted Answer

Yes, where career positioning is part of your mentoring priorities.This may include strategic review, feedback, messaging, positioning and recommendations.Private Mentoring does not ordinarily include physically redesigning, rebuilding or producing your CV or portfolio on your behalf.The objective is to help you understand how to position yourself more effectively - not simply do the work for you.

Question 44

Will mentoring guarantee me a promotion, job, salary increase or business growth?

Accepted Answer

No.Mentoring can provide perspective, strategy, feedback, professional development tools and support, but professional outcomes depend on many factors outside EIDA's control.EIDA does not guarantee employment, promotion, salary increases, client acquisition, revenue growth or any other particular professional outcome.You remain responsible for the decisions you make and the actions you take following your mentoring.

Question 45

What does EIDA expect from a mentee?

Accepted Answer

The strongest mentoring relationships are collaborative.You should be prepared to:Arrive ready to engageBe open to constructive feedbackBe honest about what is and isn't workingTake responsibility for your decisionsImplement where appropriateReflect on what happens between sessionsRespect scheduled mentoring timeCommunicate when circumstances changeYou do not need to have everything figured out before you begin.That's often the reason mentoring exists in the first place.

EIDA Private Mentoring

Private guidance. Built around you.

THIS ISN'T ANOTHER COURSE

Private Mentoring is intentionally different from the EIDA Graduate Pathway, group coaching and structured education programs.

WHO IS PRIVATE MENTORING FOR?

WHAT CAN WE WORK ON?

There is no fixed curriculum. Your mentoring plan is developed from your application, initial session and evolving professional priorities.

CHOOSE THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT YOU NEED

Private Mentoring is offered through three structured engagements. All packages begin with an extended 90-minute strategy session so we can properly understand where you are, identify the priorities and establish the direction of the mentoring engagement.

COMMUNICATION + PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE

​

​TRUST + RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

FEEDBACK + WORKPLACE DYNAMICS

CONFIDENCE + PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY

CAREER DIRECTION + PROGRESSION

CLIENT + STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

COMMERCIAL CAPABILITY

LEADERSHIP + INFLUENCE

PRACTICE + BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

FOCUS

3 Private Sessions

Targeted + focused

ADVANCE

6 Private Sessions

Recommended for ongoing development

PARTNERSHIP

12 Private Sessions

Long-term private support

NOT SURE WHICH PACKAGE?

PRIVATE MENTORING + THE GRADUATE PATHWAY

Private Mentoring can also complement the EIDA Graduate Pathway.

01.

Submit your application

02.

Application review

03.

Recommendation

04.

Accept + Secure your place

05.

Begin

A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO INVESTMENT

WHAT PRIVATE MENTORING IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T

READY FOR A MORE INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUR CAREER?

Frequently asked questions