What is a painter and decorator?
Painting and Decorating is a skilled finishing trade. Painters remove old paint and apply paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes.
Their primary role is to maintain and decorate the interior and exterior surfaces of domestic, commercial or industrial buildings and other structures.
Painters and decorators work in both the residential and commercial sector, and can either be self-employed or work for bigger contracting firms. As an essential skill, they can also choose to specialise in niche areas, like restoration painting or interior design.
In addition to the physical painting and decorating, a painter’s work also involves liaising with clients, discussing paint and materials, as well as the overall aesthetic they are aiming for.
How do I qualify?
To qualify as a painter and decorator in Australia, you need to complete a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620).
Typically, you complete this through an apprenticeship lasting 3 to 4 years. This program combines full-time on-the-job training with structured off-the-job learning at a TAFE or a registered training organisation (RTO).
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Which sectors can a painter and decorator work in?
One of the great things about being a painter and decorator is the versatility it offers. Skilled painters and decorators can work across several different sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial and heritage and restoration sites too.
Residential Sector
In the residential sector, painters and decorators can work on private homes, apartments or housing developments. Painters and decorators are in demand for both new constructions and new builds as well as renovation projects.
You will be expected to work closely with homeowners, discussing finishing touches and using techniques that suit domestic aesthetics, such as feature walls, stencilling or different types of plasters and finishes.
Projects may range from single-room updates to comprehensive interior and exterior work for entire houses.
Commercial Sector
This sector offers opportunities to work on larger-scale buildings, such as office complexes, shopping centres, schools, hospitals and hotels.
Commercial work often requires coordination with multiple other trades, as well as firm deadlines and the use of heavy-duty, durable paint in high-traffic areas. It may also involve exposure to more extreme circumstances, such as working with scaffolding or at heights, so additional safety certifications may be required.
Industrial Sector
There may be fewer opportunities in the industrial sector. Some painters and decorators work in industrial environments like warehouses, factories and other infrastructure projects.
Working on these projects is likely to involve using protective coatings, corrosion-resistant finishes and industrial surface preparation. Safety standards are critical, so additional qualifications and certifications are an advantage.
Heritage and restoration
Some specialists work on heritage-listed or historical buildings, where skills in traditional techniques (like lime washing, wallpaper replication and stencilling) are essential.
These projects often require detailed craftsmanship, historical knowledge and careful material selection to preserve the original character and meet conservation requirements.
For more information on what it’s like to work on heritage-listed buildings, check out Sam’s story.
Duties and responsibilities of a painter and decorator
Every day can be different depending on the job you’re working on. Generally, painters and decorators are involved in:
- Sanding and preparing surfaces to be painted
- Filling any holes and cracks before priming
- Brushing, rolling or spraying substrates
- Cleaning brushes, rollers and other equipment
- Mixing paint, applying paint and ensuring there are no paint stains in the work area
- Working at heights e.g., using extension ladders, elevated work platforms (scissor lifts/boom lifts) and erecting and dismantling scaffolding
- Applying decorative paint finishes such as stencils, colour glaze, wood graining and marbling
- Applying wallpaper to various substrates
- Applying protective coatings; Marine vessel, industrial coating, fireproof and fire-retardant coatings
- Working in a team or independently
Typical Working hours
Most painters and decorators work full-time hours during the week. A large proportion of painters and decorators are self-employed, giving them the chance to make their own hours. This flexibility offers a good work-life balance.
Some painting and decorating work can be seasonal. Spring and summer are usually busier for exterior work due to better weather conditions. If you’re interested in outdoor painting, you will have to be prepared to work in the sun.
Interior paint work is more consistent year-round, but you will need to wear protective clothing.
Daily Working Conditions
Working conditions as a painter and decorator will vary, depending on the sector you choose. In most sectors, you can expect:
- Working indoors and/or outdoors in most weather conditions
- Working at heights
Working at heights will require additional safety qualifications, as well as familiarity with relevant WHS laws, and Codes of Practice related to working at heights.
If you are working on an elevated work platform (EWP), you will need an EWP licence.
Skills and personal qualities for a successful career
If you are wondering whether becoming a painter and decorator would suit you, take a look at the skills and personal attributes that suit the job.
- Work as a team or independently
- Problem-solving skills and good hand-eye coordination
- Enjoy practical work and have a reasonable level of physical fitness
- Creative, detail oriented, with normal colour vision
- Enjoy subjects such as Visual Arts, Maths, Design and Technology
How do I become a painter and decorator?
While there are no educational entry requirements to becoming a painter and decorator, you will need to get qualified through a painting and decorating course.
Complete a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
As mentioned above, the qualification you need to become a painter and decorator is a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. Unless you have recognition of prior learning (RPL), you will need to complete this as part of an apprenticeship.
Painting and decorating is also a class A qualification, which means it can only be achieved through an employment-based training contract with an employer.
Complete a Pre-apprenticeship
If you want to get a competitive edge on being taken on as an apprentice, you could consider applying for a pre-apprenticeship.
Not only will this give you the edge when it comes to looking for an apprenticeship, but you could be eligible for a $500 support payment when you complete the course.
Start your apprenticeship
There are several ways to start an apprenticeship, as well as funding available to help you earn while you learn.
Starting an apprenticeship will give you the right combination of practical learning, industry exposure and allow you to gain valuable skills and make connections while you learn.
The two most common ways of getting an apprenticeship in WA are either approaching an employer directly, or going through an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, which will help you with the process and match you with a potential employer in your field.
Gaining a Certificate II in Building and Construction Pathways gives you the basic skills and knowledge needed to start a primary trade. The certificate is an established pathway to an apprenticeship in the building and construction industry. It’s a great way to put yourself in prime position to be taken on as an apprentice or trainee.
Eligibility for an apprenticeship
If you want to become an apprentice, you need to be:
- Over 18 years old, or have written approval from a parent or guardian if you are between 15 and 18
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Seeking an apprenticeship with full-time or part-time hours
Completing your training
Once you’ve finished your apprenticeship, you will have a solid foundation in a wide range of skills in the painting and decorating trade. You will know how to prep surfaces, use brushes, rollers and spray guns, as well as hang wallpaper.
You will also gain a broad understanding of measurements and calculations, be able to read and interpret building plans and organise and plan jobs.
Knowing how to work safely at heights and erect and dismantle scaffolding and ladders is also a key part of the qualification.
Future Pathways and Opportunities
Once you, your employer and your RTO have agreed that you’ve completed all elements of training and units of competency, you are ready to become qualified.
You need to finalise all your documents, including having your training plan signed off. Then, your RTO will issue you with a qualification certificate, which is a nationally recognised qualification.
Future careers
Gaining a painter and decorator qualification can lead to a number of different job opportunities.
You could carry on with your current employer and work full-time as a painter or decorator. As you gain more experience, you could progress to becoming a supervisor, trainer or assessor.
There are also options to specialise, focusing on the interior design aspect of the painting and decorating. This could mean working as a heritage painter, concentrating on historic buildings like churches, community halls or original homes.
You could also start your own business. Many experienced painters and decorators choose to become self-employed contractors or start their own painting companies.
It’s worth noting that painting and decorating is one of only three registered trades in WA. This means that any painting contractor completing work of over $1,000 must be registered by the Building and Energy and the Building Services Board.