Do painters need a licence in Australia?
It depends on the state. NSW, QLD and WA need a licence or registration over a set job value, and SA needs a licence at any value. VIC, TAS, ACT and NT have no licence for painting on its own.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Over a job value $5,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
Contractor licence - painting Building Commission NSW Stand-alone internal painting has not needed a licence since 2015, unless it is part of other home building work. |
Verify Licence - home building licence check |
| VICVictoria | No | Domestic builder (limited to painting and decorating) - only needed when painting is mixed with other trades Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Painting alone needs no registration at any value. Painting mixed with other trades on a job over $10,000 (incl GST) needs registration. |
BPC Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value $3,300 incl GST (labour and materials) |
QBCC Painting and decorating licence Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) The value counts all labour and materials, even if the owner supplies the paint. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | Over a job value over $1,000 (GST and materials treatment not stated by the regulator) |
Painting practitioner and painting contractor registration Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) Only inside the Building Services Board's area of jurisdiction. Sole traders need both practitioner and contractor registration. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Building work contractor's licence (plus building work supervisor registration) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) SA law lists painting a building as building work, so a licence is needed to run a painting business at any job value. |
Check occupational licence holders |
| TASTasmania | No | Painters are not on Tasmania's list of licensed occupations. Builders, plumbers, electricians and gas fitters are. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | No | Painters are not licensed now. The ACT is looking at licensing painting, but not before 2027. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | No | Renovations with no structural change do not need a registered builder in the NT. There is no separate painter licence. |
Public Register of Building Practitioners |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Painting that is part of a bigger renovation (more than one trade)Builder licence or registration for the whole job
VIC (over $10,000), NSW (over $5,000), QLD (over $3,300)
Rendering more than 8mm thickSolid plastering licence (the painting licence covers render up to 8mm only)
QLD
Removing asbestos before paintingAsbestos removal licence (work health and safety regulator)
All states and territories
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence or registration number and the name on it.
- Check the number on the official register for your state (links below).
- Make sure the name, licence class and expiry date match the person or company you are hiring.
- Check the licence covers the exact work, not just a related trade.
- In WA, check the painter is registered for any job over $1,000.
- In VIC, TAS, ACT and NT, ask for trade papers, insurance and photos of past work, as there is no painter licence to check.
- Get a written quote and contract that shows the licence number.
- For electrical, plumbing or gas parts of the job, check that tradie's own licence too.
Find local businesses: PaintersWallpaper InstallersCement Renderers
On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.
For businesses: how to get this licence
- Qualify: finish a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620 or an earlier version).
- Experience: get supervised, paid painting experience. WA Set 1 accepts an apprenticeship or about 4 years of full-time painting work.
- Documents: have your ID, qualification copies, a recent police check (NSW and WA ask for one) and business details ready.
- Apply to your state (links below). In QLD you also need the business unit BSBESB402 and must meet financial rules.
- Licensed in another state? You may be able to work under mutual recognition. Check the state page first.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| WA | Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Ask the regulator | - | |
| ACT | Ask the regulator | - | |
| NT | Ask the regulator | - |
Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.
Official sources (33)
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /housing-and-construction/building-or-renovating-a-home/preparing/chec...
- verify.licence.nsw.gov.au /home/Trades
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- consumer.vic.gov.au /housing/building-and-renovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project...
- consumer.vic.gov.au /housing/building-and-renovating/checklists/home-improvements-costing-...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /resource-hub/info-sheets/What-is-domestic-building-work
- bpc.vic.gov.au /find-and-check-a-practitioner
- bpc.vic.gov.au /builders/registration/how-to-complete-your-builder-application
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/painting-decora...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /resources/glossary
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /about-us/our-lists-registers
- my.qbcc.qld.gov.au /myQBCC/s/qbcc-licensee-register
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/painters-registration
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/painters-registration/apply-painting-pra...
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/painters-registration/apply-painting-con...
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- ols.demirs.wa.gov.au /search
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/building-work...
- legislation.sa.gov.au /_legislation-documents/lz/c/r/building-work-contractors-regulations-2...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/licence-check
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
- planning.act.gov.au /community/build-or-renovate/before-you-start/find-a-professional
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/extension-of-trade-lice...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- bpb.nt.gov.au /
- nt.gov.au /property/building/build-or-renovate-your-home/check-if-your-builder-i...
- ntlis.nt.gov.au /building-practitioners/
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