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CRICOS Course Code: 116929J

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.

Completion of the general construction induction training program, specified in the Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Construction Work, is required by anyone carrying out construction work. Achievement of CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry meets this requirement.

Entry Requirements

  • Minimum age of 18 years and above
  • Satisfactory completion of Year 12 or higher from applicant’s home country.
  1.  
IELTS (General or Academic)PTE AcademicTOEFL PBTOEFL iBTCAE ScaleELICOS (General English)
6.050–58547–58778–82169–175n/a
5.54650662162+15 weeks
5.03847851154+30 weeks

Note: Results older than two years are not acceptable (for offshore applicants)

OR

  1. Evidence that they have studied in English for at least five years in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States.

OR

  1. Evidence that, within two years of their application date, they have successfully completed in Australia a foundation course or a senior secondary certificate of
    education, or successfully completed substantial components (50% or more units according to the training package) at Certificate IV or higher level qualification
    from the Australian Qualifications Framework on a student visa.

OR

  1. Applicants originating from student visa assessment levels 1 and 2 countries without the required IELTS or equivalent score must undertake a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLN/D) literacy test. For further information on student visa assessment levels, visit the Department of Home Affairs website at
    www.homeaffairs.gov.au

Onshore International Students

  • Complete the Pre-Training Review, including an LLND test, which aims to identify training needs through questions on previous education or training, relevance of the course to the learner, and relevant experience.

Offshore International Students

  • Complete the Pre-Training Review, including an LLND test, which aims to identify training needs through questions on previous education or training, relevance of the course to the learner, and relevant experience. This will be conducted via video call (e.g. Skype) or phone call to the prospective learner.

Note: Satisfactory completion of CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry (or equivalent) is required prior to any construction workplace
site visit.

Other Conditions:

  • Students are expected to dedicate approximately 4 hours per week to guided learning during the training weeks, excluding term breaks. This is an approximate time commitment and may vary depending on the specific unit of competency. Refer to Section 19 – Training and Delivery Structure.
  • All students are required to purchase their own PPE kit and safety boots prior to participating in any workshop sessions.
  • Entry into the workshop without the appropriate PPE and safety boots will not be permitted under any circumstances.
  • This is a mandatory safety requirement to ensure compliance with workplace health and safety regulations.
  • Students enrolling in Painting and Decoration must possess a reasonable level of physical fitness.
  • The course involves handling tools, equipment, and materials that require strength, stamina, and coordination.
  • Tasks may include standing for long periods, working at heights, and repetitive arm and hand movements.

Learning Pathways

Learners who successfully complete this qualification may progress into further studies such as:

CPC40120 – Certificate IV in Building and Construction (from other organisation)

CPC50220 – Diploma of Building and Constructions (Building)

Career Pathways

Graduates may find employment in painting and decorating industries.

Painter

Decorator

*It is not, however, intended to indicate that an individual will gain immediate employment on completion of this qualification.

Duration

  • 60 weeks of delivery is inclusive of 10 weeks holiday breaks.
  • Classroom sessions of 20 hours per week.

Fees

Tuition Fees$20,500
Non-Tuition Fees 
Application Fees$500
Material Fees$1500
Total Course Fee$22,500

Course Outline

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency in:

  • 29 units of competency:
    • 26 core units
    • 3 elective units.

(*) Against a unit code below indicates that there is a prerequisite requirement that must be met.

Units of Competency
No Unit Code & Title Core (C)
Elective (E)
1 CPCCCM2008* – Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding C
2 CPCCCM2012* – Work safely at heights C
3 CPCCCM3001 – Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres C
4 CPCCCM3005 – Calculate costs of construction work C
5 CPCCOM1012 – Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry C
6 CPCCOM1013 – Plan and organise work C
7 CPCCOM1014 – Conduct workplace communication C
8 CPCCOM1015 – Carry out measurements and calculations C
9 CPCCOM2001* – Read and interpret plans and specifications C
10 CPCPB3026* – Erect and maintain trestle and plank systems C
11 CPCPD2011* – Handle and store painting and decorating materials C
12 CPCPD2012* – Use painting and decorating tools and equipment C
13 CPCPD2013* – Remove and replace doors and door and window components C
14 CPCPD3021* – Prepare existing coated surface for painting C
15 CPCPD3022* – Apply paint by brush and roller C
16 CPCPD3023* – Apply texture coat paint finishes by brush, roller and spray C
17 CPCPD3024* – Apply paint by spray C
18 CPCPD3025* – Match specific paint colours C
19 CPCPD3026* – Apply stains and clear timber finishes C
20 CPCPD3027* – Remove and apply wallpaper C
21 CPCPD3028* – Apply decorative paint finishes C
22 CPCPD3030* – Apply protective paint coating systems C
23 CPCPD3031* – Work safely with lead-painted surfaces in the painting industry C
24 CPCPD3035* – Prepare uncoated surfaces for painting C
25 CPCPD3036* – Work safely to encapsulate non-friable asbestos in the painting industry C
26 CPCCWHS1001 – Work WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry C
27 BSBESB301 – Investigate micro business opportunities E
28 BSBESB303 – Organise finances for new business venture E
29 CPCPD3029* – Remove graffiti and apply anti-graffiti coatings E

Delivery Mode and Assessment

Classroom Blended including classroom sessions, guided leaning and theory assessments at home and simulated workplace environment.

Summative Theory assessment is conducted outside of the classroom environment. Summative Practical assessment occurs in the classroom and simulated environment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers (CT)

Demonstration of Competence through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 

Learners can demonstrate competency through formal, non-formal and informal learning:

  • Formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction and is linked to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma or university degree);
  • Non-formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction, but does not lead to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, in-house professional development programs conducted by a business); and
  • Informal learning refers to learning that results through the experience of work-related, social, family, hobby or leisure activities (for example the acquisition of interpersonal skills developed through several years as a sales representative).
  • Learners are encouraged to apply for RPL prior to or immediately after formal enrolment but prior to the facilitated delivery of units to ensure that they do not miss any learning opportunities offered should they be unsuccessful in the RPL process.

To know more about how RPL is conducted please refer to the following documents:  

RPL policy and procedure

RPL kit for the qualification

How prospective learners will be made aware of RPL 

Prospective learners will be informed of the RPL policy and process prior to enrolment via website, Student handbook and pre-training review, enrolment, and course commencement stages. 

Credit Transfers (CT):

  • Austra College recognises the AQF Qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Registered Training Organisation.
  • Learners must show evidence that can be verified such as a statement of results to be considered for CT.  Learners should advise and provide evidence of their acquired or pending qualifications/statements of attainment before or during the enrolment process.
  •  

Delivery Locations

Location Description
Adelaide
Level 3, 90 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Classroom
11 Jacobson’s Crescent, Holden Hill SA 5088 Simulation
Melbourne
Level 7, 343 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Classroom
5/133 Elgar Road, Derrimut VIC 3026 Simulation
NSW
Suite 414/2–8 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest NSW 2153 Classroom
145 Gilba Road, Girraween NSW 2145 Simulation

Intake Schedule

Intake Schedule

Why painters and decorators across Australia are choosing this qualification

The work is out there

Builders, renovation companies, commercial contractors, and homeowners all need qualified painters who can deliver quality finishes safely and professionally.

It's a real career path

This qualification opens doors to commercial painting roles, decorative finishing work, and even running your own painting business. You're not just painting walls but you're building a respected career.

You'll use the real gear

Training with the same spray equipment, scaffolding systems, and finishing tools you'll see on professional job sites means you hit the ground running.

Employers recognise it

This nationally recognised qualification carries weight across the country, giving you options wherever you want to work.

About this qualification

The CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating gives complete learning surface preparation, paint application techniques, protective coatings, decorative finishes, and safe work practices including everything from brush and roller work to spray application and wallpapering. This isn’t just about slapping paint on walls; it’s about delivering quality finishes that lasts. 

Who it’s for

Ambitious about starting their own painting and decorating business.

What you’ll walk away with

You’ll feel confident preparing any surface, applying finishes to professional standards, working safely at heights, and estimating jobs accurately. By the time you finish, you’ll have the skills and certification that contractors and building companies look for when hiring qualified painters.

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