HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
This is the trade qualification for painters and decorators working on houses and commercial buildings.
- How long it takes
- 3 to 4 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,990
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $20,422
- How you can study
- On campus
- Main job
- Painter
- $71,700 median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 21 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
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
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Painter
Painters prepare and coat the surfaces of buildings and other structures, protecting them from the weather and changing how they look.
What else you need
Employers usually take the person on as an apprentice or trainee, so check the training provider and state apprenticeship rules. A white card is needed for construction sites, and completion allows application for a painting trade licence in NSW, with other states differing. The award alone does not confer a licence. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Median pay$71,700
In demand
If you study further
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
Leads to work as a, median pay $195,100.
Bachelor of Construction Management
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $2,990
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$19,030 to $20,422
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,990 | $240 | $19,030 | 3 to 4 years |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,644 | $724 | $20,422 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,990
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $19,030
- How long
- 3 to 4 years
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,644
- Concession
- $724
- Full fee
- $20,422
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 21 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
8 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 3 to 4 years
- Fee
- From $2,990 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
5 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
East Geelong Campus, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $3,644 subsidised
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
- Course page for Holmesglen Institute (opens in a new tab)
Holmesglen Institute
Chadstone, VIC
3.6from 650 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
What students like
- Staff are friendly and supportive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Placement information can be unclear
- Some teachers are less engaged
- Website for Trinity Institute (Australia) (opens in a new tab)
Trinity Institute (Australia)
2 campuses, NSW
4.8from 646 Google reviews
What students like
- Trainers are supportive and explain things clearly
- Training is practical and hands-on
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What you’ll learn
29 units: 26 that everyone takes and 3 you choose.
- Preparing surfaces for painting
- Brushing and rolling paint
- Spray painting techniques
- Matching and mixing colours
- Hanging and removing wallpaper
- Working safely at heights
See all 26 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It is the trade qualification for painters and decorators working on houses and commercial buildings. You learn to prepare surfaces, apply paint by brush, roller and spray, match colours, stain and clear-coat timber, and hang or remove wallpaper. It leads to a role as a Painter. Most people complete it as an apprenticeship.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
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.