Painter
🇦🇺 Introduction
A painter licence (or painting contractor licence) is a regulatory authorisation that allows an individual or business to legally perform, advertise, or contract painting and decorating work for others in Australia.
It ensures that painters meet professional standards in workmanship, safety, surface preparation, and use of coatings and finishes, while complying with state or territory building legislation.
Licensed painters can generally perform or oversee:
• Surface preparation (cleaning, sanding, filling, priming)
• Application of paint, stains, varnishes, sealers, or decorative finishes
• Interior and exterior painting of homes and buildings
• Use of protective coatings on various materials (wood, metal, concrete, etc.)
• Minor surface repairs or maintenance associated with painting
🇦🇺 Types
Painter licensing differs across jurisdictions, but generally falls into two main categories:
• Practitioner/Individual Licence – for tradespeople who perform or supervise painting work.
• Contractor/Business Licence – for individuals or companies that advertise for, quote on, or manage painting jobs for clients.
Below is a state-by-state overview of the types of painting licences or registrations.
🏙️ New South Wales (NSW)
Regulator: NSW Fair Trading
Licence Types:
• Painting and Decorating – Individual Contractor Licence
• Allows you to contract for painting work under your own name.
• Qualified Supervisor Certificate (Painting and Decorating)
• Allows you to supervise or carry out painting work for a licensed contractor.
• Endorsed Tradesperson Certificate
• Permits you to work as an employee under supervision.
Typical work covered:
• Application of paints, stains, and protective coatings to surfaces of buildings.
• Interior and exterior decorative finishes.
• Surface preparation and minor repair.
🌴 Queensland (QLD)
Regulator: Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
Licence Types:
• Painting and Decorating Licence – Trade Contractor
• Required for anyone contracting or advertising painting work valued over $3,300.
• Painting and Decorating Licence – Nominee Supervisor
• For individuals who supervise painting work for a licensed contractor.
• Painting and Decorating Licence – Site Supervisor
• Allows supervision of work without direct contracting.
Scope:
• Surface prep, coating application, and finishes on buildings.
• Includes decorative and protective coatings.
🏗️ Victoria (VIC)
Regulator: Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
Licence Type:
• Registered Painter (Domestic Builder – Limited or Unlimited)
• Limited: Painting of residential buildings only.
• Unlimited: Painting across both residential and commercial buildings.
Scope:
• Domestic, commercial, and decorative painting.
• May also include wallpapering and minor surface repair.
🏛️ Western Australia (WA)
Regulator: Building and Energy (WA Government)
Licence Types:
• Painting Practitioner Registration
• For individuals who physically perform or supervise painting work.
• Painting Contractor Registration
• For individuals or companies that contract and advertise painting work.
Scope:
• Includes interior/exterior painting, preparation, decorative finishes, and coatings.
• Contractor registration requires financial and insurance documentation.
🌅 South Australia (SA)
Regulator: Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
Licence Types:
• Building Work Contractor Licence – Painting
• For those who run or manage a painting business.
• Building Work Supervisor Registration – Painting
• For individuals supervising painting work on behalf of a contractor.
Scope:
• Painting, decorating, surface preparation, protective coatings.
🏔️ Tasmania (TAS)
Regulator: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
Licence Type:
• Building Services Work Licence – Painting and Decorating
• Required for individuals or businesses performing or supervising painting work on buildings.
Scope:
• General residential and commercial painting, including surface prep and finishes.
🏡 Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Regulator: Access Canberra
Licence Type:
• Painting Work Licence (Construction Occupations Licence)
• Mandatory for individuals or companies carrying out painting and decorating work.
Scope:
• Includes surface preparation, coating application, decorative finishes, and restoration.
🌏 Northern Territory (NT)
Regulator: Building Practitioners Board (NT Government)
Licence Type:
• Building Practitioner Registration – Painting and Decorating
• For individuals performing or supervising painting work on building projects.
Scope:
• Includes painting, staining, decorative work, and coating of surfaces on new or existing buildings.
🧩 Summary Table
|
State/Territory |
Practitioner Licence |
Contractor/Business Licence |
Supervisory Licence |
|
NSW |
Endorsed Tradesperson Certificate |
Contractor Licence |
Qualified Supervisor Certificate |
|
QLD |
– |
Trade Contractor Licence |
Site or Nominee Supervisor Licence |
|
VIC |
Registered Painter (Domestic Builder – Limited/Unlimited) |
Same as Practitioner |
– |
|
WA |
Painting Practitioner |
Painting Contractor |
– |
|
SA |
– |
Building Work Contractor Licence |
Building Work Supervisor Registration |
|
TAS |
Building Services Work Licence |
Same |
– |
|
ACT |
Painting Work Licence |
Same |
– |
|
NT |
Building Practitioner Registration |
Same |
– |
🇦🇺 Qualifications
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the qualifications required to obtain a painting licence in Australia, including national training standards and state-by-state licensing requirements.
🎓 Qualifications Required for a Painting Licence in Australia
To legally perform or contract painting and decorating work, most Australian states and territories require that you hold a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) or an equivalent qualification, along with relevant industry experience.
This qualification demonstrates competency in surface preparation, application of coatings, use of tools and materials, safety, and colour theory — all key components for licensed professional painters.
🧾 National Core Qualification
🏫 CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
Nationally recognised qualification under the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package (CPC).
It covers:
• Surface preparation and painting techniques
• Application of stains, varnishes, and protective coatings
• Colour matching and decorative finishes
• Use of access equipment (scaffolding, ladders, EWP)
• Workplace safety (WHS) and environmental compliance
• Reading and interpreting plans
• Customer communication and quality assurance
Typical duration: 3–4 years (apprenticeship or RPL pathway)
Entry pathway: Apprenticeship, traineeship, or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for experienced workers.
🏛️ State and Territory Requirements
|
State / Territory |
Regulator |
Qualification Requirement |
Additional Criteria |
|
New South Wales (NSW) |
NSW Fair Trading |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (or equivalent) |
- Minimum 2 years relevant industry experience |
|
Queensland (QLD) |
QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
- Minimum 2 years experience in painting trade |
|
Victoria (VIC) |
Victorian Building Authority (VBA) |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (or equivalent) |
- Evidence of competency and experience (3+ years recommended) |
|
Western Australia (WA) |
Building and Energy (WA Government) |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
- At least 3 years full-time experience in painting |
|
South Australia (SA) |
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
- Industry experience and references |
|
Tasmania (TAS) |
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
- Demonstrated experience in residential/commercial painting |
|
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
Access Canberra |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
- Proof of experience and competency |
|
Northern Territory (NT) |
Building Practitioners Board |
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
- Minimum 3 years practical experience |
🧩 Equivalent or Alternative Qualifications
In some cases, older or equivalent versions of the qualification are accepted:
• CPC30611 / CPC30608 – superseded but still valid for licensing if completed before the update
• Trade Certificate in Painting and Decorating (pre-2010)
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – for experienced tradespeople without formal qualifications
💡 Optional / Supporting Courses
Some regulators may also require or recommend:
• White Card (CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry)
• Business management unit or course (for contractor licences)
• Working at Heights or Elevated Work Platform ticket (for specific jobs)
⚙️ Summary
|
Requirement |
Purpose |
|
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
Core trade qualification for all states and territories |
|
Industry experience (2–4 years) |
Demonstrates practical competency |
|
White Card (WHS induction) |
Required to work on construction sites |
|
Insurance and business competency |
Required for contractor and business licences |
|
Financial and character checks |
Ensure professional and regulatory compliance |
🧱 In short:
To obtain a painting licence in Australia, you must hold a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) or equivalent, demonstrate practical industry experience, and meet state-specific business, insurance, and safety requirements.
Compliance and Penalties
• Fines for improper disposal of hazardous substances (e.g., paint, solvents) or lead paint violations.
• Fines from $3,000 up to $100,000+ for individuals and companies.
• Potential criminal liability if injury or death occurs due to negligence.
Where to Verify a License
State/Territory Verification Authorities
|
State/Territory |
Licensing Authority |
Verification Link / Notes |
|
New South Wales (NSW) |
Verify NSW |
verify.licence.nsw.gov.au |
|
Victoria (VIC) |
Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) |
vba.vic.gov.au |
|
Queensland (QLD) |
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) |
qbcc.qld.gov.au |
|
Western Australia (WA) |
Western Australian Government |
wa.gov.au |
|
South Australia (SA) |
Consumer and Business Services |
cbs.sa.gov.au |
|
Tasmania (TAS) |
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services |
cbos.tas.gov.au |
|
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
Access Canberra |
accesscanberra.act.gov.au |
|
Northern Territory (NT) |
NT Building Practitioners Board |
bpb.nt.gov.au |
Career Roles
• Tradesperson / Painter
• Painting Contractor / Business Owner
• Site Supervisor / Foreman
• Specialist or Decorative Painter
• Industrial / Protective Coatings Painter
• Painting Consultant / Colour Adviser
• Trainer / Assessor
Job Outlook and Salary
· Entry level / newly qualified painter: Could expect around A$50,000- A$60,000/year, depending on state, fulltime, with your licence/trade certificate.
· Experienced painter (510 years): Many report A$60,000- A$80,000/year, especially in metro areas or with specialisation.
· Highly skilled / specialist painter (decorative, industrial coatings, or owning your own contracting business): Earnings over A$90,000/year are reported. Some contractors/business owners may exceed this depending on job volume, region and business overheads.
· According to SalaryExpert, the average base salary for a painter in Australia is about A$76,855/year (~A$37/hour). Entry level (1–3 yrs) averages about A$57,012/year; senior (~8+ yrs) ~A$93,663/year.
· On SEEK, average painter salaries in Australia are reported in the A$80,000–A$85,000 range.
· Jobted reports a lower average: about A$55,732/year (with hourly ~A$26.34) for painters, with higher for experienced.
· SalaryBand lists an average around A$58,000/year, with range A$49k–A$68k for many.
· Median estimates from ProsFy show around A$76,800/year for experienced painters.