1300 614 292
  • National Code: UEE20120

You've painted the walls, now your Certificate III in Painting & Decorating should be in your hands!

The trade's in your hands and the cert should be too. Turn your years on the brush into a nationally recognised qualification — fast, simple, and without stepping foot back in a classroom.

Enquire Now
At a Glance

Licence status
by state.

NSW
01
New South Wales
Licence Required Contractor licence for residential painting over $5,000 in labour & materials →
VIC
02
Victoria
Registration Required DBL — Painting registration via VBA plus 1 year documented experience →
QLD
03
Queensland
Licence Required Trade licence + CPCCSP3003 texture unit + managerial unit BSBESB402 →
WA
04
Western Australia
Registration Required CPC30620 + 2 units via Painter's Registration course, or NSW licence then mutual recognition →
ACT
05
Capital Territory
No Licence No trade licence needed — CPC30620 is the industry standard →
Painting & Decorating Licensing Australia — Alpha Technical Training
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating RPL — Recognition of Prior Learning NSW Painter Licence VIC Domestic Builder Limited QLD Trade Licence Fast-Track Your Qualification Nationally Recognised Alpha Technical Training CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating RPL — Recognition of Prior Learning NSW Painter Licence VIC Domestic Builder Limited QLD Trade Licence Fast-Track Your Qualification Nationally Recognised Alpha Technical Training
$0K+ NSW threshold — residential painting jobs above this require a contractor licence
0% More earnings for licensed painters vs unlicensed — industry average
0 wks Typical RPL completion time for experienced painters and decorators
0+ Nationally recognised units in the CPC30620 qualification
Why This Matters

Unlicensed Means
Exposed.

01 — Legal Risk

You can't legally take residential painting contracts above the threshold

In NSW, any home building job above $5,000 in labour and materials requires a contractor licence. Operating without one exposes you to fines, work orders, and potentially voided contracts.

02 — Lost Income

Licensed painters earn more and access bigger commercial projects

Access to independent quoting, premium residential clients, and commercial contracts is gated behind a licence. The income gap between licensed and unlicensed painters compounds over time.

03 — No Insurance

Public liability cover is typically void without a licence

Most home warranty and public liability policies require a valid contractor licence. One incident without cover — a spill, a fall, property damage — can end your business overnight.

Student Visa Holders

On a visa.
Building a
future.

Australia's trade sector is one of the fastest pathways to permanent residency — but only if you hold the right qualification. The CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating sits on the skilled occupation list, making it a direct route to PR for the right candidate.

Step 01
Complete CPC30620
Get your nationally recognised Certificate III in Painting and Decorating through RPL or gap training — fast-tracked for experienced painters, including those trained overseas.
Step 02
Obtain Your Skills Assessment
Use your qualification to complete a skills assessment through the relevant assessing authority as part of your skilled migration visa application.
Step 03
Lodge Your PR Application
With your cert and skills assessment secured, you're positioned to apply for a skilled migration visa and build your permanent future in Australia.

Whether you're on a student visa, a working visa, or trained overseas — if you have real painting and decorating experience, we can get you certified and on the path to PR.

Talk to Us About PR →
Interactive State Guide

Your State.
Your Rules.

New South Wales

Contractor
Licence

Licence Required

NSW requires a Contractor Licence for any residential painting work valued over $5,000 in labour and materials (incl. GST). Note: since 2015, stand-alone internal paintwork no longer needs a licence unless it's part of broader home building work.

  • Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) — mandatory qualification
  • No prior experience required beyond the qualification
  • Covers applying coatings, textured finishes, and minor surface repairs
  • Stand-alone internal painting exempt unless part of broader home building work
  • RPL available to fast-track certification based on existing skills

RPL Evidence Required

  • Government-issued ID
  • Resume and work history
  • Reference or employer letter
  • Site photos or videos
  • Payslips, invoices, or project records
NSW advantage: No prior experience required beyond the CPC30620 qualification. The cert alone satisfies the licence application — making it the most accessible state for painters.
Start My NSW Pathway →
Victoria

Domestic Builder
Limited — Painting

Registration Required

Victoria requires a Domestic Builder (Limited) — Painting registration through the VBA for painting and decorating work on homes and Class 10 structures. Includes surface prep, application of paints, texture coatings, wallpaper, and colour matching.

  • Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30611 or CPC30620) required
  • Three additional units: CPCCBC4026, CPCCBC4005, CPCCBC4003
  • Minimum 1 year of practical, documented experience
  • Must demonstrate surface prep, paint application, and appropriate tool use
  • Registration via the Victorian Building Authority (VBA)

RPL Evidence Required

  • Government-issued ID
  • Resume and work history
  • Reference or employer letter
  • Site photos or videos
  • Payslips, invoices, or project records
VIC requires 1 year experience — less than most other trades. ATT helps you structure your evidence portfolio to satisfy the VBA's requirements, including the three additional prescribed units.
Start My VIC Pathway →
Queensland

Trade
Licence

Licence Required

Queensland requires a Painting and Decorating Contractor Licence plus an approved managerial unit — BSBESB402. Two licence categories apply: full scope (including cement render up to 8mm) or decorating only (excluding cement render).

  • Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) — technical qualification
  • Apply trowelled texture coat finishes (CPCCSP3003) — mandatory additional unit
  • BSBESB402 — Legal and risk management for new business ventures (mandatory)
  • Covers paint, texture coatings, wallpaper, surface prep, and incidental work
  • Licence application submitted to the QBCC

RPL Evidence Required

  • Government-issued ID
  • Resume and work history
  • Reference or employer letter
  • Site photos or videos
  • Payslips, invoices, or project records
QLD has two extra requirements: CPCCSP3003 (texture coatings) AND BSBESB402 (managerial). ATT covers all three components in a single enrolment — no chasing multiple providers.
Start My QLD Pathway →
Western Australia

Painter's
Registration

Registration Required

WA requires painters to complete the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating plus two additional units offered as part of the Painter's Registration course. Alternatively, candidates can obtain a NSW licence and apply via mutual recognition.

  • Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620) required
  • Two additional units from the WA Painter's Registration course required
  • Alternative: get licensed in NSW first, then apply via mutual recognition
  • Mutual recognition is faster for those who already hold an interstate licence
  • RPL available to fast-track the CPC30620 for experienced painters

RPL Evidence Required

  • Government-issued ID
  • Resume and work history
  • Reference or employer letter
  • Site photos or videos
  • Payslips, invoices, or project records
Pro tip for WA: Get your NSW licence via RPL first, then use mutual recognition to transfer it to WA — often faster and simpler than completing the WA Painter's Registration course directly.
Start My WA Pathway →
Australian Capital Territory

No Licence
Required

No Trade Licence

The ACT does not require a specific Construction Occupation Licence for stand-alone painting and decorating. However, the CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating remains the industry standard for professional credibility and interstate mobility.

  • No formal trade licence required for painting in the ACT
  • CPC30620 is not legally mandated but is the industry benchmark
  • Required by most commercial builders and developers as proof of competency
  • Nationally recognised — fully valid if you relocate to any other state
  • RPL pathway available to get certified based on existing experience

RPL Evidence Required

  • Government-issued ID
  • Resume and work history
  • Reference or employer letter
  • Site photos or videos
  • Payslips, invoices, or project records
No licence, but still get certified. The CPC30620 is what builders ask for. It's also your insurance policy if you ever move to NSW, VIC, QLD, or WA.
Get My CPC30620 via RPL →
The Pathway

From Painter to
Licensed Contractor.

01

Free Assessment

We review your background and map your fastest pathway — RPL, credit transfer, or gap training.

02

Enrol & Submit

Securely upload your ID, resume, reference letters, and work evidence through our portal.

03

RPL Review

Your evidence is assessed against the CPC30620 units. We maximise your RPL credits upfront.

04

Gap Training

Complete only the theory and practicals you actually need. No repeating what you know.

05

Certified & Licensed

Receive your CPC30620 and proceed directly to your state licence application.

Every Unlicensed Job
Is a Liability.

The process is simpler than you think. If you've been on the tools, you're closer to your licence than you realise.

Book My Free Assessment
What is the Certificate III in Painting & Decorating (CPC30620)?
+
The Certificate III in Painting & Decorating is a nationally recognised trade qualification covering the full scope of professional painting — from surface preparation and texture application through to colour theory, heritage finishes, WHS compliance, and job-site management. It consists of 26 units of competency and is valid across every state and territory in Australia.
Do I need to redo my training if I've already been painting for years?
+
Not a chance. If you've got solid experience on the brush — residential, commercial, or industrial — you can get qualified through RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning). We assess what you already know and do every day on the job, so you're not sitting through training you completed years ago on the tools.
How long does it take to get certified?
+
For experienced painters going through the RPL pathway, the assessment turnaround is approximately 4 weeks from the time we receive all your compliant evidence. The more thorough and well-documented your portfolio, the faster we can move.
What evidence do I need to submit for RPL?
+
You'll need to pull together 100 points of valid ID, a resume detailing your site experience, payslips or employment contracts, a Supervisor Declaration Form and Reference Letter from a licensed painter, high-resolution photos or videos of your work, job cards, quotes and invoices, WHS documentation, and your White Card if you hold one. Overseas qualifications and foreign trade certificates are also accepted where applicable.
Can I do this course while working full-time?
+
Absolutely. The course is delivered in a blended format — self-paced online theory through our LMS combined with hands-on practical sessions. You set your own study schedule, keep your job, keep your income, and get certified without putting your life on hold. You'll need to dedicate roughly 15–20 hours per week to the theoretical components.
Who is this qualification designed for?
+
This course is built for experienced painters and decorators, apprentices who are partway through or recently finished their training, decorative finish specialists working in texture coatings and faux finishes, and migrant tradespeople looking to convert overseas qualifications into an Australian-recognised certificate. If you've got the skills, we'll get you the ticket.
What can I do once I hold my Certificate III?
+
With your cert in hand, you can apply for a Painter's Contractor Licence in your state, quote and run your own jobs legally, take on larger commercial contracts and government tenders, step into supervisory or estimating roles, or launch your own painting business. Certified tradies also report earning up to 40% more — that's an extra $8K–$13K a year.
Who can enrol?
+
You must be at least 18 years of age, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid visa with full study and work rights, and be currently employed in painting or construction — or have arranged employment upon enrolment. You'll also need sufficient language, literacy, and numeracy skills at ACSF Level 3 to complete the theoretical components.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Talk to a Student Consultant today — no obligation, and therefore no risk. Just clear, honest guidance on your fastest path to certification.
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Alpha Technical Training works in partnership with recognised colleges and training providers to facilitate the recognition and validation of qualifications and certificates.

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Alpha Technical Training is a nationally recognised RTO (RTO Code: 45289) based in Bankstown, NSW. We offer fast track trade certification programs to technicians across Australia and help students get job-ready without putting their lives or work on hold.

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