The term 'Master Painter' originates in the United Kingdom.

In 1894, a national association formed in the U.K., recreating itself in 1918 as the National Federation of Master Painters and Decorators of England and Wales, then changing its name once again to the British Decorators Association before merging, in 2002, with the Painting & Decorating Federation to form the Painting & Decorating Association. The Construction Industry Joint Council, a body formed of both unions and business organizations, today has responsibility for the setting of pay levels.

Master Painters Associations formed in Australia at approximately the same time. Master Painters Associations formed in NSW, SA, Victoria, ACT and QLD. Membership is open to employers and they operate as employers unions. They operated under a Federal Body until 2012 when the Western Australian chapter split from the Federal Body and formed the Master Painters and Decorators of Australia.

In 2009 the National Institute of Painting and Decorating was formed and now is the peak industry body for the Australian painting and decorating industry.