Being a painter and decorator is not just about slapping on the odd coat of paint. It's a job that requires good communication and problem solving skills, and an eye for detail.

There are approximately 3,100 painters and decorators working in Western Australia, mainly in the metropolitan area. Small numbers also work in all of the State's major regions.

Each year, the number of commencements in the Painting and Decorating apprenticeship varies, as does the number of commencements in the Pre-Apprenticeship Studies in Painting and Decorating. In 2005, 45 people commenced an apprenticeship in Painting and Decorating.

Painters and decorators add a certain style and flair to homes, commercial properties and industrial sites by sizing up what's needed to decorate or give a new lease of life to surfaces or objects. Their skills also include knowing exactly how to apply paint or other desired finishes to these surfaces.

It's a client's prerogative to ask for a quotation so that they have a rough idea of what the job will cost them. To do this, painters and decorators calculate the amount of materials required for the job at hand, and measure out the surface or object that they will be working on. Once the quote is accepted, the painters and decorators can get down to the real hands-on work.



Clearing Away The Surface

First, they remove old paint or wallpaper and repair any cracked or damaged surfaces. All surfaces must be cleaned before a finish is applied. They then mix and apply paints either by brushing, rolling or spraying on paint, or applying a decorative finish such as colour glazing, stencilling or marbling and lettering.

Penny Bedford, a qualified painter and decorator, has turned her hand to renovating residential properties.

''Painting and decorating is great because it's an occupation that offers other interesting career paths. I also run a colour consulting company. Clients such as new home buyers or people renovating their homes will get consultants like myself to come in and help them choose home colour schemes. So you really can do a lot as a qualified painter and decorator.''

As you've probably concluded already, good colour sense and a broad knowledge of different painting and decorating techniques are also a huge plus if you're to do this type of work well.

Painters and decorators also require good communication skills when dealing with clients. They must understand the needs of the client to prevent costly mistakes. Basic maths and problem solving skills are very useful in helping to avoid such mistakes.

Many of the tasks involved in this occupation can be somewhat tedious. Someone considering working in this job should be able to cope with routine, and be able to stay focused if they're to find this work satisfying. Physical fitness is also a bonus for carrying those heavy tins of paint and, remember, it can take many hours, days, even weeks, to complete a job. These tradespersons also need to be practical, reliable and punctual in order to do their work efficiently and on time.


Work Hazards

Some of the products used by painters and decorators are chemicals that give off strong and dangerous fumes. These include paint and a range of other chemical solutions. When undertaking work indoors, protective measures must be taken to ensure that these work areas are well ventilated. Another hazard of the job is using scaffolding, ladders and cradles at great heights. It is essential that all of this equipment is erected safely and correctly to prevent accidents. So, if you are afraid of heights, you'll have to overcome this fear if you want to work in this field.

Painters and decorators also use specialised equipment such as spray guns, so they must learn how to use these properly.

There was a marked decrease in the demand for building and construction tradespersons including painters and decorators following the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. Although there was some recovery some months later, as people became accustomed to the new tax, Penny Bedford says that there had been another downturn in demand in the construction trades commencing early 2001. However, she says that painters and decorators appeared to be the least affected by the downturn, which has since improved.

At present in Western Australia there is sound activity in the building and construction industry and a shortage of qualified painters and decorators exists. The demand for painters and decorators will always be affected by the level of new homes being built and whether or not people can afford to renovate their existing homes but the current outlook is a rosy one.


The starting annual salary for painters and decorators is about $35,000 but this may go as high as $60,000 for those with several years' experience and/or for those with their own businesses.

To become a qualified painter and decorator, you will need to complete a Painting and Decorating apprenticeship. For further information on obtaining an apprenticeship, please contact the Australian Apprenticeships Hotline on 13 38 73 (local call cost).

Another pathway into this occupation worth considering is through the Certificate I in Construction Pre-Apprentice Painting and Decorating. This provides an introduction to the field, and also assists in accessing further employment and apprenticeship opportunities. This is offered through registered training organisations including the Thornlie campus of TAFE, and MPA Skills, an industry-based training organisation which is located in Maylands. Please check out the TAFE, NTIS and MPA Skills websites below for further information.

To be recognised as a fully qualified painter and run your own business, you must register with the Painters' Registration Board. To do this, you will need to have either completed a painter's registration course, the Painting and Decorating apprenticeship (or equivalent overseas apprenticeship), or attained a certain degree of proficiency in painting. Those who have not completed the registration course must sit an exam conducted by the Painters' Registration Board.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses available throughout WA.

Painters' Registration Board
Suite 10/18 Harvest Terrace West Perth WA 6005 Ph: (08) 9476 1212 Email: registrar@painters.wa.gov.au URL: http://www.painters.wa.gov.au

MPA Skills Group Training
106 Caledonian Avenue Maylands WA 6051 Ph: (08) 9271 3200 Email: mail@mpaskills.com.au URL: http://www.mpaskills.com.au

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