What Qualifications Do I Need To Be A Painter In Australia?

What would a house, apartment, building, or shop look like without a nice coat of paint?

A bare and dull property is what comes to mind!

If you enjoy combining your creative and practical skills, have an eye for detail, and love to upgrade a bare room by giving it a clean and polished look, a career as a painter could be the ideal path for you!

And while you might have worked on painting rooms before as a personal project, you might be wondering if it’s that simple to become a painter in Australia, or if you need any qualifications.

This is exactly the question we answer in this blog.

What Does A Painter Do?

As the name suggests, Painters are skilled professionals specialising in painting walls, varnishing floorboards, and applying finishing touches to walls, ceilings, and other surfaces to upgrade the look of residential, commercial, and industrial sites.  

More specifically, a Painter’s responsibilities include:

• Covering floors, skirting boards, plug sockets, and furniture to protect them from spills and splatters.
• Installing scaffolding and setting up ladders.
• Filling any cracks or holes with caulk, plaster, or any other appropriate materials.
• Preparing surfaces by scraping and sanding them to achieve a smooth finish.
• Selecting the right tools, including painting colours based on the client’s brief.
• Preparing paints by mixing pigment, oil, and drying additives to achieve the desired colour.
• Defining the amount of paint needed based on the area to be painted.
• Applying primers to ensure the paint adheres.
• Applying paint and other finishes.

What Qualifications Do I Need To Be A Painter In Australia?

48% of Painters and Decorators hold a certificate III, meaning gaining qualification will boost your employability. 

Therefore, if you want to improve your chances of finding steady employment as a Painter and Decorator in Australia, you’ll need to complete a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. During this course, you’ll learn how to prepare surfaces, apply wallpaper and paint, and create textured surfaces. 

This nationally-accredited program combines theoretical and practical knowledge allowing you to apply your learnings in real life through apprenticeship. 

Want To Start Your Own Painting Business?

If you want to start your own business, whether as a contractor, sub-contractor, or sole trader, you’ll need to obtain adequate licensing from your local Department of Fair Trading. For instance, if you operate in NSW, you’ll need to apply for a 1, 3, or 5-year license here. 

Also, if you want to run your own painting business, you’ll need to consider insurance. Not only do you need to cover your equipment and vehicle but you also need to protect your business from legal fees in the event one of your customers injures themselves due to your negligence. 

Accidents happen, especially when you perform trade work. So, to protect your business and financial assets with insurance, jump on our instant quote generator, where you can get an estimate on market-leading insurance in seconds. 

Simply enter your occupation and expected revenue to get started.