Start your painting apprenticeship
Learn painting and decorating on the job, earn a wage from day one, and walk away with your Certificate III in Painting and Decorating in 3–4 years. No full-time classroom required.
1500+ apprentices trained
Earn while you learn
Get paid from day one while gaining your qualification. No student debt, you’re an employee earning a wage while you learn.
We’ll help you find an employer
We can connect you with employers in our industry network who are looking for committed apprentices like you. We’ll help match you based on what trade you want, where you live, and what you’re after.
Earn while you learn
Get paid from day one while gaining your qualification. No student debt, you’re an employee earning a wage while you learn.
We’ll help you find an employer
We can connect you with employers in our industry network who are looking for committed apprentices like you. We’ll help match you based on what trade you want, where you live, and what you’re after.
On-site learning
You’ll learn on real construction sites, not stuck in a classroom. Work alongside qualified tradies who’ll teach you the skills you actually need. Our trainers visit you at work to check how you’re going, and you can do the theory online when it suits you.
About this apprenticeship
A painting apprenticeship is one of the best ways to get into the construction industry, you’ll be working on real residential and commercial sites from day one, earning a wage while you build skills that last a lifetime.
You’ll learn everything from surface preparation and paint application through to decorative finishes, wallpaper, and working safely with specialised coatings. And here’s something worth knowing, in many Australian states, you need to be qualified to be licensed or registered as a painting contractor. Getting your apprenticeship done properly sets you up to work for yourself down the track.
At the end of your apprenticeship you’ll hold a CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating, a nationally recognised qualification that opens doors right across the industry.
What you'll learn
The CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating covers everything from the basics of surface preparation and paint application through to decorative finishes, wallpaper, and specialist coating systems. Training is delivered at your worksite by Everthought trainers with real industry experience, so what you’re learning directly applies to the work you’re doing every day.
Your training covers the practical painting and decorating skills you’ll use every day on residential and commercial construction sites across Queensland and Western Australia:
- Preparing uncoated and previously coated surfaces for painting
- Applying paint by brush, roller, and spray
- Applying texture coat paint finishes
- Matching specific paint colours
- Applying stains and clear timber finishes
- Applying decorative and protective paint finishes
- Removing and applying wallpaper
- Working safely with lead-painted surfaces and non-friable asbestos
- Erecting and dismantling scaffolding and trestle systems
- Operating elevated work platforms up to 11 metres
- Removing and replacing doors and window components
- Reading and interpreting plans and specifications on site
- Workplace health and safety (WHS) in the construction industry
- Construction measurements, calculations, and cost estimation
You’ll also develop essential knowledge for working safely with lead paint and asbestos, critical for any professional painter working on older buildings.
Units
The CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating is made up of 29 units of competency: 26 core units and 3 elective units. As an apprentice you’ll work through these progressively on the job, with your Everthought trainer assessing your competency at your worksite.
Core Units
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| 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
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CPCCPD3029 | Remove graffiti and apply anti-graffiti coatings |
| BSBESB301 | Investigate business opportunities |
| BSBESB303 | Organise finances for new business venture |
Career opportunities
Painting and decorating is a trade that’s in demand across Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales, new builds, renovations, and commercial fit-outs all need qualified painters. Once you’ve completed your CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating, your options include:
- Working as a qualified painter and decorator on residential and commercial construction sites
- Specialising in decorative finishes, texture coatings, or heritage restoration work
- Starting your own painting business, in many Australian states you need this qualification to be licensed as a painting contractor
- Taking on project management or supervisory roles on larger construction sites
- Working anywhere in Australia with a nationally recognised trade qualification
Skilled painters are always needed across the construction industry, and a CPC30620 Certificate III puts you in a strong position to build a rewarding, long-term career.
Qualification
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
Duration
3–4 years
Location
Employers worksite (Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia)
Entry Requirements
- Minimum working age
- White Card (General Construction Induction) / CPCWHS1001
- Access to tools and equipment as per FERC
- Registered apprenticeship *
Frequently asked questions
If you still have questions, our team will be happy to help. Please reach out at info@everthought.edu.au.
- Completion of Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Assessment (not necessarily a barrier to entry)
- Employed in a registered apprenticeship*
- Access to the internet
- Evidence of completion of pre-requisite units if not provided by EverthoughtÂ
*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.
- QLD: Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438Â
- WA: Everthought College of Construction, RTO 51681
- NSW: Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438Â Â (This training is subsided by the NSW government).
The CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating typically takes 3-4 years to complete, depending on your progress. Our competency-based approach means you can complete units as you demonstrate proficiency, potentially finishing sooner.
Apprentice wages are set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award. Your pay increases each year as you progress. It’s not a full trade wage from the start, but you are earning while you learn, which puts you well ahead of full-time study.
Absolutely. There’s no upper age limit on apprenticeships. We work with school leavers, career changers, and people re-entering the workforce. If you want to get into painting and decorating, we can help make it happen.
You’ll be qualified to work as a painter and decorator on residential and commercial construction projects. In many Australian states this qualification is also required to be licensed or registered as a painting contractor, so it’s essential if you ever want to run your own business.
Become a qualified painter with Everthought
Simply enter your details and we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss the best pathway for you.
- info@everthought.com.au
- 1300 728 996
