If you're someone who enjoys hands-on, creative work that produces tangible results, a career as a painter could be perfect for you. Painters are responsible for applying paint, varnish and other finishes to buildings and structures. Their expertise makes them invaluable to a wide variety of projects, from homes and offices to bridges and factories.
To become a painter, you will need to complete a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating at a TAFE institution. This course is designed to give you all the necessary skills and knowledge needed for full-time work.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about a career as a painter, including the key skills to be successful, expected salary and all the qualifications you’ll need to land your first job.
What's it like to be a painter?
Your role as a painter will include the following tasks and duties:
- Preparing surfaces by cleaning and sanding
- Repairing any imperfections, such as holes and cracks
- Priming and applying undercoats to surfaces
- Using brushes, rollers, and spray equipment
- Following safety practices when using ladders and tools
- Blending and coordinating different paint colours
- Installing wallpaper and decorative surface finishes
Why become a painter?
Becoming a painter can open the doors to a practical and varied career with numerous opportunities for employment. It represents the perfect blend of creativity and technical skill, with the satisfaction of creating something new and developing in-demand skills.
Once you gain experience, you can generally find work anywhere in Australia, across a wide variety of industries. No two days are the same, and you could find yourself working in a small residential home or a large-scale engineering project. Your skills as a painter are constantly in demand, and you will be needed across projects in both cities and rural areas.
It can also open the pathway to entrepreneurship, with opportunities to create your own painting business once you gain enough experience.
Skills and experience needed as a painter
To be successful in a career as a professional painter, you will need to develop the following key skills:
- Communication skills: Painters, like other trades, need to regularly interact with clients, contractors and colleagues. You will need to clearly understand what a client wants, ask questions and provide timely updates on progress. Strong communication skills help to avoid costly mistakes and build lasting connections.
- Understanding of colour theory: It’s essential to understand colour theory. This includes how different colours mix together, complement each other, and how they can affect the size, lighting and overall aesthetics of a room.
- Knowledge of brush techniques: Painters will need to understand the different brush techniques and how they can alter the appearance and longevity of a paint job. This should extend to a mastery of the different types of brushes and how to perform various brush strokes, angles and pressures.
- Detail-oriented: As a painter, you need to keep an eye on the details. Even a minor imperfection can draw the eye and ruin an otherwise perfect job. This means taking care around edges, ensuring even paint coverage, and spotting any areas that may need a second coat before the client does. This detail can separate a good paint job from a professional finish.
- Manual dexterity and fitness: Painting requires steady hands and precise brush control, which can take considerable dexterity to maintain. The role can also be physically demanding, with frequent standing and kneeling for long periods of time.
- Time management skills: Clients expect work to be completed on schedule, which requires painters to have solid time management skills. This includes being able to accurately estimate how long a job will take, prioritise tasks, and coordinate roles with other tradespeople. This can ensure delays are avoided and projects are kept on schedule.
- Problem-solving skills: Every project will present different challenges. This could be uneven surfaces, structural damage or even difficulty matching a colour to a home. Painters will need the ability to understand a problem quickly and find practical solutions.
How to become a painter
To become a painter, you will need to complete an apprenticeship, where you can learn all the necessary skills before applying for your painting licence. You can begin this process either straight out of high school or as a mature-aged student. Many people have found success entering a new trade at different stages of life, so whether you’re a teenager or an older worker seeking a career change, age should never be a barrier to becoming qualified.
The following steps will help ensure you're ready to hit the ground running as a certified painter:
1. Complete a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620)
Within Australia, you will need a trade certification to work as a professional painter. This can be granted by completing a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating from a trade institution such as TAFE Gippsland. This three-year certificate is designed to prepare you with all the skills and knowledge needed for full-time work.
It covers essential techniques in surface preparation, application methods, and finishing processes. You will also learn about colour theory, materials, and safety practices, with hands-on projects and real-world experiences.
2. Gain practical experience through your apprenticeship
Most students will complete their certificate as part of an apprenticeship. This is where you work with a qualified painting company to develop your practical experience on-site. This gives you the chance to put into practice the skills you learn through your certificate, such as surface preparation, sanding, applying paints and finishes. It’s also important for understanding various safety practices and how to use painting tools correctly. Through an apprenticeship, you can “earn while you learn” for a direct pathway into the workforce.
3. Further licensing
Once you have completed the first two steps, gained all the relevant experience and completed your certificate, you can begin working as a painter full-time.
However, if you're looking to start your own business or take on larger projects, you may need to ensure you have the necessary licences. Licensing is state-based, meaning requirements will differ depending on where you work.
In Victoria, you will need a Domestic Builder (Limited) licence for residential painting work over $10,000. This can be applied for through the Victorian Building Authority, and generally requires at least two to three years of practical experience and relevant certificates (including the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating).
If you want to work on a construction site, you must complete the mandatory General Construction Induction training and obtain a white card. This certificate can be obtained through TAFE Gippsland, with the CONISS012 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.
Which industries can a painter work in?
As a qualified painter in Australia, you can work across a variety of sectors, each requiring its own distinct approach and skill set. These include the following:
- Residential: This is the most common entry point for painters. Residential work focuses on the interior and exterior painting of homes, apartments and townhouses.
- Commercial: Commercial projects involve painting around offices, retail spaces, schools and other businesses. These projects are usually much larger in scale, and are typically completed within a tight timeframe to minimise the disruption to daily operations.
- Industrial: The industrial sector is unique because painters must prioritise protection over aesthetics. Industrial painters typically work in factories, bridges, warehouses and other infrastructure projects, where they apply heavy coatings and specialised finishes designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, heavy machinery and other equipment.
- Heritage and restoration: This is a less common, more specialised sector of the painting industry. These professionals focus on working on older, heritage-listed buildings. They must carry out precise preparation, with a strong attention to detail, incorporating age-appropriate materials to help preserve the integrity of the original building.
Job outlook for a painter
Because painters are required across various industries and locations around Australia, there remains a strong demand. According to Australian Government projections, the demand for painting trade workers is expected to remain stable over the next five years. Future painters will also be safe from the looming threat of AI, as the hands-on nature of the career helps to bolster its long-term resilience.
How much do painters earn?
Because qualified painters are in strong demand across Australia, this is reflected in their salaries. The average annual salary for a painter ranges from $80,000 to $85,000 per year, or $40 to $45 per hour. As you gain experience or develop your own business, painters can earn salaries over $100,000. While completing your apprenticeship, you should expect to earn approximately $40,000 per year, which normally increases as you progress.
Your exact wage will depend on a variety of factors, including experience level, as well as whether you’re self-employed or work for a company. Location can be an important factor, as different regions have varying costs of living and labour demands that affect salaries. The industry you're working in will also affect your earning potential, as painting commercial buildings will usually pay more than working on residential projects.
Painting can be the practical career for a creative individual with a keen eye for detail. To become a painter, you will need to complete a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620), where you can develop the skills and experience needed for full-time work. At TAFE Gippsland, we will ensure you are supported during every stage of your apprenticeship. Our certificates are taught by industry leaders, with expert knowledge to get you job-ready. If you would like to find out more, please contact TAFE Gippsland.