Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620)
Surface preparation, interior + exterior coatings, decorative finishes, sprays, protective coatings.
Who is it for? Painters, decorators, sprayers, protective coating applicators with 3+ years experience.
RPL in 5 Simple Steps
Free RPL Suitability Enquiry
Discuss your skills, work history and experience with our team to determine whether RPL may be suitable for you. Eligible applicants are referred to a partnered RTO for enrolment.Enrolment & RPL Kit
The partnered RTO enrols you into the qualification or units and provides the RPL assessment kit, evidence guide and submission requirements.Evidence Collection & Submission
Gather and submit evidence of your skills and experience — resumes, employment documents, licences, references, work samples and previous training records. We can assist you with organising your evidence.Assessment & Review
The RTO assessor reviews your evidence and may conduct a competency conversation, workplace verification, practical assessment or request additional information if required.Outcome
The RTO determines the assessment outcome. Where competency requirements are met, the RTO issues the qualification or Statement of Attainment.87%
Graduate Satisfaction
Source: NCVER Student Outcomes (industry avg)
76%
Reported Work Status Improvement
Employment outcomes vary and are not guaranteed
$82k
Typical Median Earnings
Source: Seek / Indeed AU 2026
Qualification Description
CPC30620 — Official description from training.gov.au
This qualification provides a trade outcome in painting and decorating for residential and commercial construction work.
Occupational titles may include:
- Painter and Decorator
Licensing, legislative and regulatory or certification requirements for painting and decorating work differ between States and Territories. Please consult with the relevant regulatory authority.
Painting as an Employee is Legal. Painting as a Contractor Needs the Ticket.
You can paint as an employee in Australia without any certificate — under your employer’s contractor licence. But to take your own jobs over the state threshold ($5,000 NSW, $10,000 VIC, $3,300 QLD), or to win commercial fit-out work, you need CPC30620 and a state contractor licence.
The bigger jobs — strata, fit-outs, government tenders, builder subcontracts — all require licensed painting contractors. The Cert III is the certificate behind that licence.
Qualified Painter (employed)
$75k–$90k / yr
Residential and small commercial. Award-rate band once your CPC30620 is in the system.
Commercial Painter
$80k–$100k / yr
Strata, fit-outs, government contracts. Bigger jobs, more consistent work, better rates.
Painting Foreman / Project Lead
$90k–$115k / yr
Quote jobs, run crews, manage colour consultation. Step-up role with 2+ years post-cert.
Contracting Painter / Owner
$120k–$180k+ / yr
Quote your own work, run your own crew. Required for contracting above state thresholds.
Same brush. Different pricing model.
Request RPL Suitability Check — Free →
Salary ranges sourced from Seek, Indeed and Payscale Australia (2026). Licensing thresholds vary by state and project value. Figures are typical full-time ranges and exclude superannuation unless noted.
You May Need To Provide Evidence Such As
- Photos of finished interiors, exteriors, decorative finishes
- References from builders, clients or commercial contractors
- Pay slips or invoices showing painting work
- Evidence of relevant Australian workplace experience, where required by the partner RTO
- White card + any safety tickets (heights, asbestos awareness)
- Supplier references (Haymes, Dulux, Wattyl trade accounts)
- Overseas painter qualifications (UK CITB, etc.)
FQ helps you understand what evidence may be requested before assessment by the partner RTO.
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