Get your painting licence.
You’ve painted houses, units and offices for years. In NSW, painting and decorating are two licence classes, and one Certificate III qualifies you for both. We help you get it and apply.
- What NSW asks for
- A Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620), which Building Commission NSW lists for both painting and decorating
What the licence lets you do.
On a day rate, the client pays the business, not you. With your own licence, you can quote an exterior repaint straight to the owner, and the profit stays with you.
- Contract exterior painting and other residential paintwork over $5,000, labour and materials included.
- Apply paint and textured coatings by brush, roller or spray gun.
- Prepare and patch surfaces before you paint them.
- Hang wallpaper and paint murals, once you add the decorating class.
Your name on the sign.
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Who qualifies.
Building Commission NSW issues painting and decorating licences. Both ask for the same Certificate III and a police check. Neither sets a number of years.
A Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620), or an older version on Building Commission NSW’s list.
Painting work you can show: photos, references and pay records an RTO can assess for the Certificate III.
A National Police Check, less than four months old on the day you apply.
A completed apprenticeship, if you began one. Apprentices and trainees can’t be issued the licence until they finish.
Worth knowing: Since 2015, a stand-alone contract for inside paintwork hasn’t needed a licence.
Other states and territories set their own rules. Tell us where you work, and we’ll check them for you.
Ask about your stateYour documents.
Tick off what you already have. We’ll help you with the rest.
0 of 10 ready
From your first call to your licence.
How it usually goes. Your case may skip a step, or need one we’ll explain at the start.
Free eligibility check
Tell us about your painting work. We’ll explain which classes you need, whether you’re ready now, and the full cost.
Your evidence pack
We help you turn photos, references and pay records into evidence, and point out anything missing early.
Assessment by an RTO
A registered training organisation assesses you for the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. Some units may need a practical task or a short interview.
Your licence application
We prepare your application to Building Commission NSW for painting, decorating or both, with your police check and forms in order.
Licensed
Once it’s approved, you can contract painting work in your own name. Licences last one, three or five years before renewal.
Questions people ask us.
Something else on your mind?
Ask us on WhatsAppDo I need a licence to paint inside a house?
Not for a stand-alone job. Since 2015, a contract only for inside paintwork hasn’t needed a licence in NSW. If the painting is part of other building work, like a renovation, the usual rules apply.
When do I need one, then?
For other residential painting worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST, such as a large exterior repaint. The paint counts toward that total, not only your time.
Are painting and decorating the same licence?
They’re two classes. Decorating covers wallpaper, murals and other applied decoration. Building Commission NSW accepts the same Certificate III for both, so you can ask for either or both.
Does painting experience from overseas count?
It can count as evidence for the Certificate III, which an Australian RTO assesses. NSW won’t take an overseas qualification on its own for a licence. Show us what you have and we’ll work out the next step.
What does it cost, and how long does it take?
That depends on whether you need the full Certificate III or only some units. After the free check, you’ll know the full cost and a realistic timeframe for your case.
Can you help painters outside NSW?
Yes. Each state has its own rules for painters. Tell us where you work and we’ll check what applies to you.
Check your painting and decorating experience for free.
Tell us what you’ve built and for how long. We’ll tell you where you stand, what’s missing, and what it costs.