Role Snapshot

ANZSCO Code: 331111, Painter and Decorator
NZR Code: NZR-147
Country: Australia
Role Variants: Residential Painter, Commercial Painter, Industrial Painter, Decorating Specialist, Spray Painter (architectural), Texture Coat Applicator, Wallpaper Hanger
Parent Category: Trades and Construction Roles
Skill Level: 3
Shortage List Status: Painter and Decorator (ANZSCO 331111) appears on Australia’s Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). This supports access to employer-sponsored visa pathways. Confirm current status at homeaffairs.gov.au as lists are reviewed periodically.
Licensing: White Card (CPCCWHS1001) mandatory for all construction site workers nationally. Trade contractor licensing for self-employed painters varies by state. Employed painters working for a licensed contractor typically do not need their own individual licence in most states.

🇳🇿Also considering New Zealand?Painter and Decorator Roles in New ZealandNo mandatory licensing. Green List Tier 2 residence pathway after 24 months.→

Painters and decorators in Australia apply protective and decorative coatings to interior and exterior surfaces of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The role includes surface preparation (filling, sanding, priming), selection and application of paints, stains, varnishes, and specialist coatings, and finishing work such as wallpaper hanging, texture coatings, and decorative techniques. On residential new builds, painters typically work at the end of the construction programme. On refurbishment and commercial projects, timing and sequencing can vary considerably.

Australia’s painting and decorating trade does not require an occupational licence for employed painters in most states. However, trade qualification is expected by commercial employers, and a TRA-assessed overseas qualification significantly improves employment and visa prospects. Many residential painters operate as self-employed sole traders or small business operators; employed painters typically work for painting contractors or construction companies.

Spray painting is a specialist subset of the trade. Architectural spray painters apply coatings to residential and commercial building exteriors, often working alongside plasterers and renderers on texture coat and solid plaster systems. Industrial painting (infrastructure, bridges, tanks, marine structures) is a specialist stream with its own certification and significantly higher earnings. These niches attract premium wages in all states.

Typical employers: Painting contractors (Dulux Accredited Painters, Taubmans-aligned contractors); commercial construction and fit-out companies; residential building companies (new builds and renovation); facilities management companies (painting maintenance contracts for commercial property portfolios); industrial painting contractors (infrastructure, bridges, industrial plant); self-employment as a sole trader painter.

Painter and Decorator Salaries in Australia (AUD, 2026)

Painter and decorator salaries in Australia range from entry-level employed rates through to strong self-employed contractor incomes for experienced tradespeople with established client bases. Commercial and industrial painters typically earn more than residential painters due to scale, specialist coatings knowledge, and access to large contract work. All figures below are before tax.

Sydney and Melbourne typically pay at the top of the national range. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are also strong markets. Industrial painters working on major infrastructure projects (bridges, water treatment plants, mining facilities) attract day rates and contract rates at the high end. Overseas painters new to Australia generally benefit from starting in an employed position before considering self-employment once they understand the market and have established working relationships.

Superannuation (11.5% of ordinary time earnings) is a mandatory employer contribution on top of salary. Vehicle and tool allowances are common in employed positions. Some employers provide painting materials; others expect the painter to supply consumables at an agreed materials rate.

Where Are Painters and Decorators Hired in Australia?

Demand for painters and decorators broadly tracks residential and commercial construction activity. Australia’s building programme runs well ahead of local workforce capacity, and painting work is available in every major state. The premium markets for wages are Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth; good lifestyle-to-cost ratio for first-year arrivals is typically Adelaide, Brisbane outer metro, or regional centres.

New South Wales (Sydney): The largest market by volume. New residential builds, renovation and refurbishment of existing housing stock, and commercial fit-out projects all generate consistent demand. Sydney’s scale means large painting contractors maintain ongoing recruitment pipelines. Sydney wages are at the premium end nationally, reflecting living costs.

Victoria (Melbourne): One of Australia’s strongest painting markets. Melbourne’s apartment and townhouse development pipeline, combined with a significant commercial fit-out market, creates consistent demand for painters across both residential and commercial streams. Enterprise agreements in Victoria typically set pay floors well above the award minimum for site-based painters on commercial projects.

Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast): A fast-growing residential market with strong painting contractor demand. Queensland’s population growth and the 2032 Olympic infrastructure programme add sustained demand. The subtropical climate creates specific requirements for exterior coating systems (UV resistance, moisture management) that experienced painters adapt to quickly, but is worth understanding before arrival.

Western Australia (Perth): Perth’s residential and commercial painting market is driven by resources sector income. WA has strong demand for both residential and industrial painters. Industrial painters with experience in corrosion-protection and heavy-duty coatings are particularly valued given the resources sector’s infrastructure maintenance requirements.

South Australia (Adelaide), ACT (Canberra), Tasmania (Hobart): Consistent residential and commercial painter demand. Adelaide’s affordability relative to Sydney and Melbourne makes it a practical landing zone for first-year overseas painters. Regional centres across all states offer lower competition for experienced painters and faster pathways to self-employment for those with business ambition.

Qualifications, Licences and Registration for Painters in Australia

Painting and decorating in Australia does not require a mandatory occupational licence for employed painters in most states. However, formal trade qualification is expected by commercial employers, and a TRA skills assessment is required for immigration purposes. Self-employed painting contractors need a trade contractor licence in most states to undertake residential and commercial painting work above a set threshold.

White Card (CPCCWHS1001): mandatory first step.
Before entering any construction site in Australia, all workers must hold a White Card. This is a nationally recognised one-day work health and safety induction delivered by RTOs across Australia. It is not state-specific and is recognised nationally. Obtain your White Card before commencing any site work in Australia.

State trade contractor licensing (for self-employed work):

• NSW: NSW Fair Trading issues a Contractor Licence (Painting) for self-employed painting contractors.
• VIC: The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) issues domestic builder licences covering painting work for residential projects above a set threshold. The VBA also regulates commercial painting contractors in some categories.
• QLD: The QBCC issues trade contractor licences for painting and decorating. Required for self-employed painting contractors undertaking residential and commercial work above the threshold.
• WA: Building and Energy (DMIRS) regulates painting contractor registration for work above a set value threshold.
• SA: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) administers painting contractor licensing in South Australia.

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA):
TRA is the skills assessment body for painting and decorating under the Department of Home Affairs. A TRA assessment is required for immigration purposes. The standard Australian qualification is CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through an RTO is available for experienced overseas painters who can demonstrate equivalent competency. Initiate TRA assessment early given processing times of three to six months.

Industry associations:
The Painters and Decorators Association of Australia is the primary industry body. The Master Painters group within Master Builders Australia also represents painting contractors. Dulux Accredited Painter and Taubmans-aligned contractor programmes are commercially valuable for residential painters working directly with homeowners.

Lead paint obligations:
Properties built before 1970 in Australia may contain lead-based paint. Safe Work Australia sets requirements for working safely with lead paint. Painters working on pre-1970 buildings should complete lead paint awareness training. No separate licence is required but safe work procedures and risk assessments are mandatory.

Mutual recognition between states:
Painting contractor licences held in one Australian state can be recognised in another under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992. The process is administrative. Confirm the process for your specific state pair if you plan to operate across state lines.

Visa Pathways for Painters and Decorators Moving to Australia

Painter and Decorator (ANZSCO 331111) is on Australia’s Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). A TRA skills assessment is required for most skilled migration visa applications. The STSOL supports employer-sponsored visa pathways, though the points-tested permanent pathways available to MLTSSL occupations are not directly available without state nomination or employer nomination.

Skills in Demand (SID) visa, subclass 482, Core Skills Stream:
The Skills in Demand visa requires employer sponsorship from an approved Australian sponsor. STSOL occupations are eligible for the Core Skills Stream of the SID visa. Minimum salary requirements apply (the Core Skills Income Threshold, CSIT). The SID visa is issued for up to four years. A TRA skills assessment is required. Large painting contractors and commercial construction companies are approved sponsors and use this pathway to recruit overseas painters.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, subclass 186 (permanent):
Permanent residence with employer nomination. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is available after at least two years on a subclass 482 visa with the nominating employer. The Direct Entry stream requires employer nomination and a TRA skills assessment.

Regional Skilled Migration visa, subclass 491:
State or territory nominated points-based visa for regional Australia. Some states have included painting and decorating on their state occupation lists at various times due to regional construction shortages. Adding five points through state nomination is worth investigating for each target state, particularly for painters willing to work in regional areas.

Skills in Demand visa and the CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold):
For STSOL occupations, the Skills in Demand visa requires the position to meet the CSIT. Most experienced painter and decorator roles in the Australian market sit at or above this threshold. Confirm the current threshold at homeaffairs.gov.au before applying, as the CSIT is indexed annually.

New Zealand citizens have unrestricted work rights in Australia under the Special Category Visa (subclass 444) and do not require employer-sponsored visas. NZ painters should obtain a White Card and check state contractor licensing requirements before commencing self-employed work. The Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462) is available for nationals of certain countries as an initial entry pathway.

Are You Ready for the Australian Painter and Decorator Market?

Based on TEFI’s experience coaching overseas tradespeople into construction markets, these are the signals that indicate a painter or decorator is well-positioned to make a successful move to Australia:

Strong readiness indicators:

• Trade qualification at Level 3 equivalent or above (NVQ Level 2/3, City and Guilds, Certificate III in Painting and Decorating, or equivalent) with original documentation.
• Three or more years of post-qualification work experience in residential or commercial painting, with references from employers or clients.
• Experience across interior and exterior work, including surface preparation, priming, top-coat application, and basic decorating techniques.
• Spray application experience (HVLP or airless) is a significant asset for commercial and architectural work in the Australian market.
• Clean safety record and awareness of working at height, chemical exposure, and lead paint hazards.
• TRA skills assessment initiated or planned. White Card obtained or planned immediately on arrival.

Preparation steps before applying:

• Gather certified copies of your trade qualification and apprenticeship completion documentation.
• Obtain detailed employer references specifying years of employment, type of painting work carried out, and any specialist skills (spray, texture coat, high-end residential, industrial coatings).
• Initiate TRA skills assessment early given three to six month processing times.
• Research Australian paint brands and coating systems (Dulux, Taubmans, Solver, Wattyl) and be ready to speak to comparable products from your home country.
• Check state contractor licensing requirements if you intend to work self-employed in your target state.

Fabien Maisonneuve made a successful transition through the skilled migration process for a construction trade role and built a career in a new market. His story reflects the experience many qualified overseas tradespeople have when they approach a new market with the right preparation. Read Fabien’s story.

For a direct read on how your background positions you in the Australian painting market, submit your CV to TEFI for a free review.

Where to Find Painter and Decorator Jobs in Australia

Painter and decorator roles are well-represented on Australia’s main job boards, and direct approaches to painting contractors are also productive given persistent employer demand.

• SEEK Australia: the primary job board for construction and trades. Search “painter”, “decorator”, “painting contractor”, or “spray painter”. Filter by state. Commercial and residential painting roles appear regularly from both direct employers and recruitment agencies.
• Indeed Australia: widely used for trades roles. Worth monitoring in parallel with SEEK for maximum coverage.
• LinkedIn: useful for commercial painting and facilities management roles at larger companies and government property portfolios.
• Master Builders Australia: state-based member directories including painting contractors. Useful for direct outreach to established painting companies.

Direct employer approaches:
Painting contractors in Australia range from sole traders to companies with 100 or more painters. Large painting contractors holding contracts with state housing authorities, commercial property managers, and major construction companies have ongoing recruitment needs and are worth approaching directly. The Painters and Decorators Association of Australia website lists member contractors that can be researched and contacted.

Recruitment agencies:
Hays Construction, Randstad Construction, Tradestaff Australia, and Programmed Skilled Workforce all place painters and decorators across Australia. Agency placements are useful for first-year arrivals building their local network before moving to direct employment or self-employment.