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Painters License NSW

How to get a painter's licence in New South Wales

In New South Wales a painter must be licensed if he/she contracts, sub-contracts or advertises to do exterior residential painting where the reasonable market cost of the labour and building materials is more than $5000. Painters must also be licensed if they do interior painting on a renovation over $5000. Licenses are issued by the Department of Fair Trading NSW.

There are two pathways to obtain a license:
  1. Complete an apprenticeship over 1-4 years. Once you complete the apprenticeship you will be issued with the Certificate III Painting and Decorating qualification.
  2. If you have more than four years experience as a painter you can get your skills assessed and recieve credit for what you have learned. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. Most painters still need some training in certain skills which they have not learned on the job. This is called "gap training''. Typical gap training includes safe lead paint and asbestos work practices; traditional decorative finishes such as stenciling, imitation marbling and woodgraining; and wallpapering. After completing any needed training the painter may be issued the Certificate III Painting and Decorating qualification. These certificates can only be issued by a Registered Training Organisation. There should be a red and green triangle on your certificate to indicate it is nationally recognised.
Once you have Certificate III Painting and Decorating, you need to take this to your local Department of Fair Trading and supply them with a copy. Then apply for the licence, which may be obtained for one year, or three years. The application is processed by the Department of Fair Trading and the licence may be issued.
Register for a free on-line pre-assessment of your skills and eligibility

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