A Simple Guide to a Career in Painting and Decorating

A Simple Guide to a Career in Painting and Decorating

If you enjoy working with your hands, paying attention to detail, and transforming spaces, a career in painting and decorating could be perfect for you. This creative and practical trade allows you to see the results of your work almost instantly while playing a vital role in the construction and renovation industries.

In this guide, we'll explore how to start a career in painting and decorating, what skills you’ll need, and how you can grow from the basics to advanced roles, starting with residential painting training and progressing to formal qualifications like the Certificate III in Decorating.

What Is Painting and Decorating?

Painting and decorating is a skilled trade focused on enhancing the appearance and protecting the surfaces of buildings and structures. It involves much more than just applying paint to a wall. Professional painters and decorators prepare surfaces by cleaning, patching, sanding, and priming to ensure a smooth, lasting finish. They also apply paint, varnishes, stains, wallpaper, and other finishes using a variety of tools and techniques.

A key part of the job includes understanding colour combinations, textures, and design aesthetics to meet the client’s vision. Whether working on the interior of a modern home or the exterior of a heritage building, painters and decorators must also follow safety standards, read technical drawings or work plans, and sometimes work at heights using scaffolding or ladders.

In short, painters and decorators play a vital role in construction and renovation projects—adding value, personality, and protection to both residential and commercial spaces.

Why Choose a Career in Painting and Decorating?

There are many reasons why this trade is a great choice:

Hands-on work: Ideal for people who enjoy practical tasks and creativity.

In-demand skills: There is strong demand for qualified painters in both urban and regional areas across Australia.

Variety: Each project is different, offering new challenges and environments.

Opportunities to grow: With experience and qualifications, you can move into supervisory roles or start your own business.

Getting Started: Residential Painting Training

The first step in your career can be as simple as starting with residential painting training. This might involve learning on the job with a builder or painter, or completing an entry-level short course. Residential training often focuses on:

Basic painting techniques

Surface preparation for homes

Tools and safety gear

Working with different materials (e.g. plaster, wood, brick)

Customer service and job estimation

This foundational training gives you the hands-on skills to take on basic painting tasks in homes and small buildings.

Tip: If you’re not sure whether painting and decorating is right for you, residential painting training is a great way to test the waters before committing to a full qualification.

The Next Step: Certificate III in Painting and Decorating

Once you’ve gained some basic experience or are confident this is the trade for you, enrolling in the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating is the best step forward. This nationally recognised qualification is often completed through an apprenticeship and provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

What You’ll Learn:

In the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating, students gain a wide range of practical and theoretical skills that prepare them for real-world work in the industry. Training begins with advanced surface preparation techniques, ensuring that all surfaces are clean, smooth, and ready for finishes. You'll learn the fundamentals of colour theory and decorative techniques, which help you choose the right colours and apply creative finishes to meet client expectations. The course also covers the correct application methods for paints, varnishes, stains, wallpapers, and other materials across different surfaces and environments.

An important part of the training involves learning how to safely handle hazardous materials such as solvents, thinners, and chemical-based coatings. You’ll also be trained in using scaffolding and elevated work platforms, which are essential for working at heights safely and effectively. Additionally, the course teaches how to accurately estimate and cost jobs—a critical skill for anyone planning to run their own business or quote projects. Finally, you’ll study workplace health and safety regulations, which are vital for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

This qualification is essential if you want to become a licensed painter in most Australian states and territories. It typically takes 3–4 years to complete as part of an apprenticeship, allowing you to earn while you learn.

Entry Requirements:

While there are no formal prerequisites, having some prior residential painting training or work experience is helpful. Good hand-eye coordination, attention to detail, and physical fitness are also important.

Career Pathways and Job Opportunities

After completing your Certificate III in Decorating, you’ll be qualified to work as a:

Residential painter

Commercial or industrial painter

Decorative finisher

Wallpaper installer

Painter’s assistant (if still training)

Trade contractor or subcontractor

With experience, you can move into supervisory roles, start your own painting business, or specialise in decorative and heritage work. Some even go on to become trainers or assessors in the field, helping new students learn the trade.

Advanced Skills and Specialisations

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can explore advanced skills in areas such as:

Faux finishes: Faux finishing techniques create the look of materials like marble or wood using paint. These decorative effects are used to add elegance and texture to walls, ceilings, and furniture without the cost of real materials.

Spray painting techniques: Spray painting involves using spray guns or machines to apply paint evenly across large surfaces. It’s faster than traditional brushing and provides a smooth, professional finish, commonly used in both commercial and industrial projects.

Protective coatings: These are specialised paint systems designed to protect surfaces from harsh conditions like chemicals, extreme temperatures, or heavy wear. They’re often used in factories, warehouses, and outdoor structures.

Epoxy floor coatings: Epoxy is a durable, chemical-resistant coating used for floors in garages, kitchens, hospitals, and industrial spaces. Applying epoxy requires skill to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish that’s easy to clean and maintain.

Restoration and heritage painting: This involves restoring historic buildings by matching original colours and finishes. It requires precision and often team coordination. Adding a Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) can help you step into leadership or training roles in this specialised area.

Continuing professional development through workshops, product training, or short courses will help keep your skills up to date and relevant.

Tools of the Trade

A successful painter and decorator is only as good as their tools. Throughout your training and career, you'll become familiar with:

Brushes, rollers, and sprayers

Putty knives and scrapers

Drop cloths, ladders, and scaffolds

Mixing and measuring tools

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Knowing how to properly care for and use your tools is a big part of being efficient and producing high-quality work.

Tips for Success in the Industry

Stay organised: Keeping a clean work area and good routine helps avoid mistakes.

Communicate clearly: Whether it’s with a team, supervisor, or client, good communication is key.

Be detail-oriented: A perfect finish depends on your attention to small details.

Stay up to date: New products, techniques, and regulations are always emerging.

Build a portfolio: Take photos of your best work to show future clients or employers.

Conclusion: Your Path to a Bright Future

A career in painting and decorating is both rewarding and creative, offering numerous growth opportunities. Whether you're just beginning with residential painting training or ready to commit to a full Certificate III in Decorating, there’s a clear and practical pathway for success.

By investing in your skills and gaining formal qualifications, you’ll set yourself up for a stable career with options to grow, specialise, or even run your own business.

So if you're ready to turn your passion for colour and design into a hands-on career, grab a brush, sign up for training, and start painting your future today.