Already a painter? Get your Cert III through RPL
If you’ve been working as a painter or decorator for 3+ years, painting RPL turns that experience into a nationally recognised Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. No apprenticeship. No classroom.
Is RPL right for me?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that recognises the skills and knowledge you’ve already gained through real work experience. Instead of repeating what you already know in a classroom, you’re assessed on what you can actually do on the job.
If you’ve been working as a painter or decorator for years but never completed a formal qualification, painting and decorating RPL is likely the fastest and most practical way to get your Certificate III in Painting and Decorating.
Looking to get your concreting contractor licence?
In QLD, NSW and WA, a formal trade qualification is required before you can apply for a painting contractor licence. In QLD, jobs over $3,300 require a QBCC licence. In NSW, it applies to residential work over $5,000. In WA, you’ll need your Cert III to register as a painting practitioner with the WA Building Commission. RPL is the fastest way to get your Certificate III in Painting and Decorating without going back to study.
What your Cert III unlocks
A lot of experienced painters and decorators get by without a formal qualification for years. But there are practical reasons why getting your Certificate III in Painting and Decorating through RPL is worth doing:
- Get your contractor licence: a trade qualification is required to apply for a painting contractor licence in QLD, NSW, and WA
- Charge more for your work: qualified tradespeople get higher rates and win more jobs, especially on commercial sites
- Take on bigger projects:Â builders and project managers often require subcontractors to hold formal qualifications before they’ll put you on
- Start or grow your own business:Â a nationally recognised qualification adds credibility, opens doors, and is often required to hold public liability insurance and enter contracts
- Prove what you already know:Â your skills are real, your qualification should reflect that
Painting RPL costs less than completing a full course from scratch, and takes a fraction of the time.
Is RPL a real qualification?
Yes. A Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) earned through RPL is exactly the same nationally recognised qualification as one earned through an apprenticeship or full course. It carries the same AQF accreditation, is issued under the same national training system, and is treated identically by employers, licensing bodies, and government agencies across Australia.
Painting and decorating RPL isn’t a shortcut, it’s a formal assessment process regulated by ASQA. The difference is that instead of studying what you already know, you’re assessed on the skills you’ve already built.
Units
The CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating is made up of 29 units of competency, 26 core units and 3 elective units. You don’t need to have studied these units, you just need to be able to demonstrate competency through your work experience. Most experienced painters will meet the majority through their day-to-day work.
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| 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 |
You may be eligible if you:
- 3+ years of hands-on painting and decorating experience
- Currently working in the trade, or have recently
- Can provide some evidence of your work (photos, references, job records)Â
- Based anywhere in Australia
Step 1: Eligibility chat
We start with a quick conversation about your work history and experience to make sure RPL is the right fit. No commitment required.
Step 1: eligibility chat
We start with a quick conversation about your work history and experience to make sure RPL is the right fit. No commitment required.
Step 2: Gather your evidence
We’ll guide you through exactly what to pull together, photos, references, job records. If you’re not sure what you have, we’ll work through it with you.
Step 2: Gather your evidence
We’ll guide you through exactly what to pull together, photos, references, job records. If you’re not sure what you have, we’ll work through it with you.
Step 3: Competency conversation
Your evidence is reviewed by one of our trainers, who will have a conversation with you about your skills and experience to confirm competency against the requirements.
Step 4: Receive your qualification
Once all requirements are met, you’ll be issued your CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating.
Step 4: Receive your qualification
Once all requirements are met, you’ll be issued your CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating.
What qualified tradies are saying
Good experience. The RPL process was explained very well and all evidence was set out and mapped in next to no time. 2 weeks from the initial contact, to explanation, phone call appointment to application acceptance and evidence mapped and submitted, certificate given and QBCC license granted.
Excellent customer service and value for money. The assessor was extremely professional and easy to work alongside, had a fantastic subject knowledge. The whole team was very responsive and helpful throughout.
Had a great experience with Everthought College of Construction. Nickolas, my trade advisor, and Mark, my trainer, were both very knowledgeable and supportive throughout my RPL for Certificate III in Carpentry and Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying. Highly recommend to anyone looking to complete their RPL in the construction industry.
I recently completed my Carpentry Certificate through RPL with Everthought. Nickolas did an excellent job with communication throughout the whole process. I'm very thankful for his support and I definitely recommend Everthought College.
Fantastic from start to finish. Went at my own pace and the support was there 24/7 with my trainer. Even after passing, the trainer allowed me to contact him if I had further questions during my career.
I recently completed a Diploma in Building and Construction with Everthought. Nikolas and Mark were proactive and supportive throughout, making the process smooth and efficient. The program was well-structured and professional — I highly recommend Everthought to anyone pursuing a career in the industry.
Frequently asked questions
If you still have questions, our team will be happy to help.
Painting RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is a formal assessment process under Australia’s national training system. It allows experienced painters and decorators to earn a CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating without completing a full course or apprenticeship. Your existing skills are assessed against the qualification requirements, if you meet them, you get the certificate.
Generally a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how quickly you can gather your evidence. It’s significantly faster than completing a full qualification from scratch.
RPL is generally more cost-effective than completing a full qualification from scratch. Funding may also be available depending on your state and circumstances. Get in touch and we’ll talk through the options.
Yes. Evidence from self-employed work, contractor work, and sole trader work all counts. The key is being able to demonstrate your skills and experience, photos of completed jobs, references from clients or builders, invoices, or similar.
In QLD, NSW and WA, yes. In Queensland, you need your Certificate III in Painting and Decorating plus the QBCC Trade Contractor Course before applying through the QBCC. In NSW, a painting qualification is required for residential work over $5,000. In Western Australia, painters need to register as a painting practitioner or contractor with the WA Building Commission, and the CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating is required as part of that process, along with a minimum of 5 years experience. Painting RPL is the fastest way to get your Cert III if you’ve already got the experience.
Got the experience? Let's get you qualified
Have a free eligibility chat with our team. We’ll ask a few questions about your background, tell you if RPL is right for you, and walk you through what comes next. No commitment, no obligation.
- info@everthought.com.au
- 1300 728 996
