Why Study Painting & Decorating in Australia?
✔ Affordable course compared to other trades
✔ High demand trade - construction is a booming industry
✔ Potential migration pathway - on the MLTSSL Skilled Occupations List
✔ Earn $80K–$100K+ per year as you gain experience
✔ Painters are safe from AI replacing the job any time soon!
Please note:
International students are not eligible to study as an apprentice.
Trade apprenticeships are only for domestic students (permanent residents and citizens).
Career Outcomes
Qualifying as a Painting Trades Worker, you can work in domestic or commercial settings as a:
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Painter & Decorator
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Residential or Commercial Painter
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Industrial Coatings Technician
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Self-employed contractor
Whether you want to paint giant buildings, or create a perfect interior as a designer, there are many opportunities with this qualification.
Important: This course does not guarantee PR, but it can be part of a strong migration strategy.
Did you now QLD has a Building & Contruction Stream on its State Migration List?
And it is only for onshore tradies!
Salary & Employment Opportunities
Both are loooking good! According to SEEK:
In 2026:
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Painters earn an average of $AUD 80,000 - $85,000 per year ($40 to $45 per hour), up to $100,000 in the mining sector
In April 2026:
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there were 1,339 painting jobs available
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There is a +2.9% projection for job growth over the next 5 years
Think about the Olympics infrastructure build in South East Queensland - up to 50,000 tradesworkers will be needed.
Studying in South Australia Alert! -
Major Changes for International Trade Students in South Australia from July 2026
Significant changes are coming for international students in South Australia.
From July 1, 2026, the South Australian Skills Commission will no longer recognise classroom-based courses (the only ones international students can take) as eligible for industry-recognised Occupational Certificates.
Read more about this major change in South Australia
Course Duration & Fees
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Duration: 2 years
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Fees: Approx. AUD $18,000-$22,000
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There may scholarships available
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Tuition is paid in instalments
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Courses delivered by CRICOS-approved education providers in all cities
These courses have regular intakes so you can jump into a program most months, depending on the college.
Note: International students are not eligible to study as an apprentice. That is for domestic students only (permanent residents and citizens).
This course may make graduates eligible for the 485 Graduate Visa - Post-Vocational Education Work Stream as a Painting Trades Worker, thus having the opportunity to gain valuable work experience is an Australian Painter, and possibly start moving towards sponsorship or skilled migration.
What will I learn in the Certificate III in Painting & Decorating?
These are the fundamentals of the course:
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Understanding colour theory is an overview of the principles of colour. This includes primary/secondary/tertiary/complimentary/analogous colours, understanding warm and cool colours and tones, colour harmony, value, and saturation. A painter learns how colours interact and how to use them for various effects.
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Preparing surfaces includes cleaning, sanding, and priming.
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Painting techniques including using rollers paintbrushes and sprays on various surfaces both indoors and outdoors.
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Wallpaper application involves the removal and installation of wallpaper.
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Decorative finishes include texture coating, marbling effects, and faux paint techniques.
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Health & Safety is extremely important in painting and decorating due to the use of ladders and working on outdoor structures. Training includes the safe use of tools and equipment, handling materials that are hazardous, and general safety in the workplace.
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Estimating and quoting training ensures the correct estimation of the cost of the job, including the paint and materials, timing, and putting together quotes.
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Plans and specifications training ensures that painters are comfortable reading and interpreting building and decorating plans, often alongside plans by an architect or designer.
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Business skills are generally built into the program in order that painters can run their own small businesses. Topics include bookkeeping, marketing, and budgeting.
Most international student painting & decorating courses include a 360-hour work placement, the opportunity to gain hand-on experience ‘on the tools’. This is also a requirement of the 485 Graduate Work Stream Visa.
With a Certificate III In Painting and Decorating, graduates can generally work as a residential or commercial painter and decorator, and industrial painter, partner with an interior designer. Many painters are self-employed contractors.
We’ll match you with the best painting & decorating courses in Australia based on your visa, budget, and location.
485 Graduate Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Visa
Many graduates of the Certificate III In Painting and Decorating will be eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485 - Post-Vocational Education Work Stream after a minimum of 92 weeks of study.
This 1.5 year visa will give you time to get the work experience needed to have the potential for skilled migration as a Painting Trades Worker - ANZSCO 3322
We advise your have a consultation with a migration agent to understand your options after being a student.
Start with your goal in mind.