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HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate III in Painting and Decorating

Certificate III in Painting and Decorating

This is the trade qualification for painters and decorators working on houses and commercial buildings.

  • Duration: 3 years to 4 years
  • Study mode: On campus
  • Course code: CPC30620

Where you can study this course

Where

  • Melbourne Polytechnic

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    Campuses
    13 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.

  • TAFE NSW

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    Campuses
    8 campuses
    Duration
    3 years to 4 years
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    $19,030
    Eligible students: subsidised from $2,990, concession $240

    What students say

    Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.

  • TAFE Gippsland

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    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

  • TAFE Queensland

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    Campuses
    5 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Not stated by provider
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    What students say

    Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

  • TAFE SA

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    26 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.

  • The Gordon

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    East Geelong Campus
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Not stated by provider
    Full fee
    $20,422
    Eligible students: subsidised from $3,644, concession $724

    What students say

    Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, along with the student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on student support and course content.

  • Holmesglen Institute

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    Campuses
    Chadstone
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    What students say

    Students have mixed views on the trainers and teaching, and many also mention problems with communication and with organisation and admin.

  • Trinity Institute (Australia)

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    2 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Most students rate the trainers and the teaching highly, and many also value the student support. A number of students speak well of the course content.

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

  • Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
  • Yes, you need general construction induction training, a White Card, before doing construction work. Licensing for painting and decorating differs between states and territories, so check with your local regulator.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:

  • an interest in working with your hands and tools
  • a careful approach to surface preparation and finishes
  • good communication skills for working with clients and trades
  • a willingness to work safely at heights and on site

What will you learn?

You learn to prepare surfaces, apply paint by brush, roller and spray, match colours, stain and clear-coat timber, and hang or remove wallpaper. Because most of the work happens on site, it also covers setting up trestles and scaffolding, working safely at heights and from elevated platforms, reading plans and working out what a job will cost. Most people complete it as an apprenticeship, and you need general construction induction training, a White Card, before doing construction work. Licensing for painting and decorating differs between states and territories, so check with your local regulator.

  • Preparing surfaces for painting
  • Brushing and rolling paint
  • Spray painting techniques
  • Matching and mixing colours
  • Hanging and removing wallpaper
  • Working safely at heights

Units of competency (26 core, 3 elective)

The qualification is made up of 29 units. Everyone completes the 26 core units below, and the remaining 3 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for CPCCCM2008…

Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).