Become a qualified painter and decorator with Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. Choose from apprenticeship, on-campus, or RPL pathways and gain the skills to build your future in Australia’s booming construction industry.
The Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) is a trade-level qualification that prepares you for residential and commercial painting and decorating work. You’ll learn to prepare and paint surfaces using brush, roller and spray techniques, match colours, apply decorative finishes, hang wallpaper, work with timber stains and protective coatings, and safely use painting tools and equipment on scaffolding and elevated platforms.
This course covers workplace health and safety, interpreting plans and documents, measurements and calculations, surface preparation, paint application and paint types, removing and replacing doors and window components, and small business finance skills.
This nationally recognised qualification lets you work for construction companies, specialise in areas like decorative finishes or industrial coatings, or start your own painting business. In many Australian states, you must be qualified to be licensed or registered as a painting contractor.
Qualification: Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620)
This course covers the essential skills for residential and commercial painting and decorating work:
This course is ideal for:
This is a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Your Certificate III in Painting and Decorating is recognised across all Australian states and territories, giving you the flexibility to work anywhere in the country.
| Core Units | |
| CPCCWHS2001 | Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry |
| CPCCOM1012 | Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry |
| CPCCOM1013 | Plan and organise work |
| CPCCOM1014 | Conduct workplace communication |
| CPCCOM1015 | Carry out measurements and calculations |
| CPCCOM2001 | Read and interpret plans and specifications |
| CPCCCM3005 | Calculate costs of construction work |
| CPCCCM2008 | Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding |
| CPCCCM2012 | Work safely at heights |
| CPCCCM3001 | Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres |
| CPCCPB3026 | Erect and maintain trestle and plank systems |
| CPCCPD2011 | Handle and store painting and decorating materials |
| CPCCPD2012 | Use painting and decorating tools and equipment |
| CPCCPD2013 | Remove and replace doors and door and window components |
| CPCCPD3021 | Prepare existing coated surface for painting |
| CPCCPD3022 | Apply paint by brush and roller |
| CPCCPD3023 | Apply texture coat paint finishes by brush, roller and spray |
| CPCCPD3024 | Apply paint by spray |
| CPCCPD3025 | Match specific paint colours |
| CPCCPD3026 | Apply stains and clear timber finishes |
| CPCCPD3027 | Remove and apply wallpaper |
| CPCCPD3028 | Apply decorative paint finishes |
| CPCCPD3030 | Apply protective paint coating systems |
| CPCCPD3031 | Work safely with lead-painted surfaces in the painting industry |
| CPCCPD3035 | Prepare uncoated surfaces for painting |
| CPCCPD3036 | Work safely to encapsulate non-friable asbestos in the painting industry |
| Elective Units | |
| CPCCPD3029 | Remove graffiti and apply anti-graffiti coatings |
| BSBESB301 | Investigate business opportunities |
| BSBESB303 | Organise finances for new business venture |
This course opens up career options in Australia’s construction industry. There’s a critical shortage of skilled painters across the country, creating strong job prospects for qualified professionals. With major infrastructure projects and ongoing residential work, painters enjoy solid job security and good earning potential.
Where can you work?
Career growth
Experienced painters often move up to leading hand, site supervisor, foreperson, project manager, or estimator roles. With extra qualifications like Certificate IV in Building Project Support or Diploma of Building and Construction, you can step into senior management positions or start your own construction business.
Start dates
Throughout the year. For on campus, enquire for intake dates.
On campus – Domestic
Study full-time on campus with hands-on painting and decorating training in modern workshop facilities. Gain practical skills with expert trainers in a supportive learning environment.
Duration
2 years full-time (8 terms)
Location
Brisbane campus
Entry requirements
Training provider
Everthought College of Construction Pty Ltd, RTO No. 51681, CRICOS Provider Code: 02898C
On campus – International
Study in Australia on a student visa with practical painting and decorating training and English language support in our workshop facilities.
Duration
2 years full-time (8 terms)
CRICOS course code: 111422K
Location
Brisbane campus
Entry requirements
English language requirements
Evidence of English Proficiency IELTS 6.0 with nothing less than 5.5 in any band or TOEFL iBT (scores from a test taken on or before 25 July 2023 are accepted only) 64 or PTE 50 or CAE 169
Training provider
Everthought College of Construction Pty Ltd, RTO 51681, CRICOS 02898C
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Already working in painting and decorating? Get qualified faster by having your existing skills and experience formally assessed and recognised.
Duration
2 – 8 weeks (dependent on experience and knowledge)
Location
Virtual assessment plus completion of any gap training required.
Entry requirements
Training provider
Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438
Everthought assesses your existing skills and experience against the qualification requirements. If you can provide sufficient evidence of your industry experience or previous training, you may not need additional formal study. Gap training is provided if needed, and we’ll guide you through the process.
Access the information and guidelines. Learn more about eligibility criteria and co-contribution fees.
Apprenticeship
Learn while you earn. Combine paid work with a painting employer and structured training to complete your qualification.
Duration
4 years
Location
Employers worksite
Entry requirements
English language requirements
Completion of LLN Assessment (not necessarily a barrier to entry)
Training provider
*A training contract is a legally binding agreement between the employer and the apprentice or trainee. In signing the training contract, both parties are bound by certain obligations expressed in the contract. The training contract sets out the terms of the apprenticeship or traineeship, which are agreed to by both the employer and the apprentice or trainee.
Learn more about eligibility criteria and co-contribution fees.
If you still have questions, our team will be happy to help. Please reach out at info@everthought.edu.au.
Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) is Australia’s nationally recognised painting qualification that trains you to become a qualified painter and decorator. This course covers residential and commercial painting, surface preparation, paint application techniques, decorative finishes, and protective coating systems required for the building industry.
The duration varies by study mode: apprenticeships typically take 4 years combining work and study, on-campus courses can be completed in 24 months full-time, and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be completed in as little as 2-8 weeks for experienced painters.
Yes, Everthought College of Construction offers Certificate III in Painting and Decorating for international students on campus in Brisbane. International students study full-time and gain hands-on experience in our training facilities.
Apprenticeships combine paid work with an employer and formal training over 4 years. On-campus study is full-time classroom and workshop-based learning completed faster 24 months) without employment requirements.
Qualified painters can work as residential or commercial painters, industrial painters, spray painters, or decorators. You can specialise in decorative finishes, protective coatings, heritage restoration, or graffiti removal. You can also start your own painting business, work as a site supervisor, or progress to building and construction management roles.
Yes, Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) is a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework. It’s recognised across all Australian states and territories.
Simply enter your details and we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss the best pathway for your qualification.
Speak to one of our friendly team members today.
Everthought Education Pty Ltd: ABN 65 114 892 509 | RTO 32438.
Everthought College of Construction Pty Ltd: ABN 70 123 363 495 | RTO: 51681 | CRICOS Provider Code: 02898C
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