Painters and decorators are the trade that finishes the job — the ones who make a new build look sharp or bring a tired old place back to life. It's skilled, hands-on work that's needed on virtually every construction and renovation project in the country. If you like a clean, satisfying result, don't mind detail work and want a trade with lower start-up costs to eventually run your own show, painting and decorating is a solid choice.
This guide covers what a painting and decorating apprenticeship involves in Australia — the work, the training, what you'll earn, how long it takes and how to get started.
What the work involves
Painting and decorating is about preparing surfaces and applying paint, coatings and finishes to a professional standard. Good preparation is most of the job — the finish is only as good as the prep underneath.
Typical tasks include:
- Preparing surfaces — sanding, filling, patching and cleaning
- Applying undercoats, primers and topcoats
- Brush, roller and spray application
- Interior and exterior painting on homes and commercial buildings
- Applying specialty finishes, wallpaper and protective coatings
- Setting up, masking and protecting areas before work
- Cleaning up and maintaining equipment
You'll work indoors and out, on new builds, renovations and maintenance jobs. It's physical — plenty of ladder work, reaching and repetitive movements — and demands a steady hand and an eye for a clean line.
Qualification and training
Most painting apprentices complete the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620 or its current equivalent).
Training happens two ways:
- On the job: most of your learning is hands-on with a qualified painter.
- Off the job: you attend TAFE or an RTO for theory and practical assessment, often in blocks or one day a week.
Because it's construction work, you'll need a White Card before you can start on site. You may also need a working at heights ticket or EWP tickets for scissor and boom lifts for higher work, and a driver's licence is usually expected. See Which Tickets Actually Get You Hired.
How long it takes
A painting and decorating apprenticeship usually runs around three years full-time. It's formalised through a training contract registered with your state or territory training authority and is competency-based, so progress can affect the timeline.
There's a probation period at the start — see Apprenticeship Contracts and Probation Explained.
What you'll get paid
Painting apprentice wages are generally set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award. Your pay is a percentage of the qualified rate and rises each year as you progress.
You may also be entitled to:
- A tool allowance
- Travel and fares allowances — see Travel and Fares Allowances on Site
- Overtime and penalty rates
- Superannuation paid on top of your wage
Wage rates change, so use the Wage Calculator for an estimate and read the Apprentice Pay Guide. The Fair Work Ombudsman is the official source for entitlements.
How to get started
You don't need top marks — employers care most about attention to detail, reliability and a good attitude. The practical path:
- Step 1: Finish school (Year 10 minimum). A steady hand and an eye for detail help.
- Step 2: Get your White Card and, if you can, a driver's licence.
- Step 3: Consider a pre-apprenticeship or painting course to build basics — see Pre-Apprenticeship Courses: Are They Worth It?.
- Step 4: Apply for vacancies. Browse apprenticeship jobs and create a free profile to reach employers.
- Step 5: Prepare for interviews with our interview tips.
Group training organisations can place you with host painting businesses — see How Group Training Organisations Work.
Skills and traits that help
Good painting and decorating apprentices tend to be:
- Detail-focused with a steady hand
- Patient — good prep and clean lines take time
- Comfortable with heights and ladder work
- Reliable and tidy on site — see How to Keep a Work Area Safe and Clean
- Punctual and dependable — see Reliability Beats Talent
If you're weighing up trades, How to Choose the Right Trade can help.
Where it can lead
Painting and decorating has relatively low tool and equipment costs, which makes it one of the more accessible trades to go out on your own in. Once qualified, your options include:
- Specialising in commercial, industrial, heritage or high-end finishes
- Spray and protective coatings work
- Becoming a leading hand or supervisor — see Becoming a Leading Hand
- Getting your contractor licence — see Getting Your Contractor Licence
- Starting your own painting business
Because painting is needed on nearly every build and renovation, and homes need repainting regularly, skilled painters stay in steady demand.
Key takeaways
- Painting and decorating is skilled finishing work — surface prep and clean application on homes and commercial buildings
- You'll complete a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (around three years) split between site work and TAFE/RTO study
- A White Card is required, and heights or EWP tickets help for elevated work
- Pay is set by the Building and Construction Award, rises each year and includes allowances — check the Wage Calculator
- Get started by getting your White Card, building basics and applying for jobs
- Low start-up costs make it one of the easier trades to eventually run as your own business