Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
Sorry, this course is not available for international students.
If you are a local student you may be eligible.
To find a course that's available to international students, please visit the search page:
Overview
4 years part time
Ongoing
Take control of your career
Put yourself on the path to success as a business owner or contractor specialising in painting and decorating. Join a flexible industry known for its low barriers to entry, flexibility and freedom, with 65% of painters operating as sole proprietors. Study a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating CPC30620 at Melbourne Polytechnic and we’ll help you build skills that can help you go where you want to go.
Benefit from practical and flexible training
You’ll gain essential skills such as creative texture finishes, applying wallpaper and decorative finishing touches, matching colours and safely managing lead paint and asbestos. At Melbourne Polytechnic, you’ll have the opportunity to work on real-life projects in our dedicated training facilities, taught by our industry-experience staff. Our flexible, practical approach means we can fit around work schedules, delivering training on-site or in our industry-standard facilities. Our Painting and Decorating students have a national reputation for excellence, winning gold medals at regional WorldSkills competitions and many other industry accolades.
Open up a future full of possibilities
You’ll have numerous possibilities once you graduate as a qualified painter. You can work for a painting and decorating company, or an employer in the building industry. You might choose to start your own business or consultancy and set your own schedule and work wherever and whenever you want.
Career Pathways
Where will the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating CPC30620 take me?
You’ll have numerous possibilities once you graduate as a qualified painter. You can work for a painting and decorating company, or an employer in the building industry.
- Qualified Painter
- Labourer
- Subcontractor
Study Pathways
Once you successfully complete the requirements for this certificate you can continue on to undertake the Certificate IV in Building and Construction CPC40120, or Certificate IV in Interior Decoration MSF40122.
Course Details
Delivery methods
- Apprenticeship
How you will study
Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.
On-campus / Self-paced online learning
A blend of on-campus learning with some coursework delivered through Melbourne Polytechnic’s digital platforms. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.
Assessment Methods
Internal assessment with progressive testing.
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| CPCCCM2008 | Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding | Core | 40 |
| CPCCCM2012 | Work safely at heights | Core | 8 |
| CPCCCM3001 | Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres | Core | 32 |
| CPCCCM3005 | Calculate costs of construction work | Core | 20 |
| CPCCOM1012 | Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry | Core | 20 |
| CPCCOM1013 | Plan and organise work | Core | 20 |
| CPCCOM1014 | Conduct workplace communication | Core | 20 |
| CPCCOM1015 | Carry out measurements and calculations | Core | 20 |
| CPCCOM2001 | Read and interpret plans and specifications | Core | 36 |
| CPCCPB3026 | Erect and maintain trestle and plank systems | Core | 10 |
| CPCCPD2011 | Handle and store painting and decorating materials | Core | 16 |
| CPCCPD2012 | Use painting and decorating tools and equipment | Core | 80 |
| CPCCPD2013 | Remove and replace doors and door and window components | Core | 4 |
| CPCCPD3021 | Prepare existing coated surface for painting | Core | 30 |
| CPCCPD3022 | Apply paint by brush and roller | Core | 100 |
| CPCCPD3023 | Apply texture coat paint finishes by brush, roller and spray | Core | 40 |
| CPCCPD3024 | Apply paint by spray | Core | 80 |
| CPCCPD3025 | Match specific paint colours | Core | 50 |
| CPCCPD3026 | Apply stains and clear timber finishes | Core | 40 |
| CPCCPD3027 | Remove and apply wallpaper | Core | 50 |
| CPCCPD3028 | Apply decorative paint finishes | Core | 114 |
| CPCCPD3029 | Remove graffiti and apply anti-graffiti coatings | Elective | 30 |
| CPCCPD3030 | Apply protective paint coating systems | Core | 30 |
| CPCCPD3031 | Work safely with lead-painted surfaces in the painting industry | Core | 20 |
| CPCCPD3032 | Apply advanced wall coverings | Elective | 30 |
| CPCCPD3034 | Apply advanced decorative paint finishes | Elective | 40 |
| CPCCPD3035 | Prepare uncoated surfaces for painting | Core | 30 |
| CPCCPD3036 | Work safely to encapsulate non-friable asbestos in the painting industry | Core | 20 |
| CPCCWHS2001 | Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry | Core | 20 |
Fees & Costs
| Concession | Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $1120 | $5600 | $24800 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $175 | $250 | $250 |
| Total payable | $1295 | $5850 | $25050 |
| Per year | $0 |
| Per semester | $0 |
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Fees explained
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:
- Commonwealth Health Care card, or
- Pensioner Concession card, or
- Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
- Veterans Gold card.
The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking
Additional expenses
The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:
- $250 for full fee-paying students; and
- $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
What we will supply We supply the course-specific learning resources that you need to complete this certificate.
What you will need to supply You will need to supply an organic vapour type respirator, as well as basic writing materials.
The first year apprentice enrolment material fee is $100.00. No material fee is paid after first year.
Requirements
Ideally, you should be employed as an apprentice painter.Next Steps
Apprenticeships are coordinated via the Trade and Traineeship Support Unit (TSU) where you will provide details of your employer, who will register you with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.
The AASN will register your training contract with EPSILON and you will be allocated an EPSILON number. Melbourne Polytechnic will then be able to enrol you into your training program.
If you have any questions about the application procedures for an apprenticeship, please contact the TSU.
We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year
Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.
Recognising Organisations
Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.