Painting and Decorating

Painters and decorators apply paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes to protect, maintain and decorate interior and exterior surfaces of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings and other structures.

What do Painters and Decorators do?

A painter and decorator may perform the following tasks:

  • work out the quantity of materials needed for the job by taking surface measurements or by looking at job specifications or drawings
  • erect scaffolding, cradles and ladders and place dropsheets to protect areas from dripping paint
  • remove old paint or paper using sanding, scraping, blowtorches, liquid paint removers and steam strippers as appropriate
  • prepare surfaces by fixing woodwork, filling or sealing holes, cracks and joins and washing them down to remove dust and grease
  • select and prepare paints to match colours by the addition of tints
  • brush, roll or spray the paints, stains, varnishes and other finishes
  • when wallpapering, set out the area according to the pattern match and starting point in the room, cut the paper to the appropriate length, apply paste to the back of each strip and hang the paper on the wall, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles
  • spray paint surfaces using a spray gun or specialised equipment
  • apply decorative paint finishes such as stencils, colour glaze, graining, marbling and lettering
  • wash equipment and clean work areas

Painters and decorators may concentrate on a specific area of work, such as the internal or external painting of domestic homes, commercial buildings or industrial structures and equipment.

How do I become a Painter and Decorator?

To become a Painter and Decorator you usually have to complete an Apprenticeship in General Construction (Painting & Decorating). Entry requirements may vary but employers generally require a minimum of Year 10. Training is usually both on and off the job. The off-the-job training is provided through Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s), including Group Training Companies. Details of the training may vary depending on the needs of the employer and are finalised as part of the training agreement.

Qualifying as a Painter and Decorator involves:

  • Three to Four years commitment
  • Attending paid work with a “host employer” for the duration of the apprenticeship
  • Attending off-the-job training at an RTO

Ideal Personal Requirements to be a Painter and Decorator include:

  • Enjoy practical work and have good hand-eye coordination
  • Have normal colour vision and a good sense of balance
  • Able to read and interpret plans
  • Able to work at heights and be physically fit
  • Able to work independently and as part of a team

Painting Decorating Profile Download a printable PDF version of this profile. – 314 KB PDF file

If you need assistance, we're only a call away...