Do Painters Need a Licence in Australia?
Painting is licensed or registered work in some states once the job passes a set value, and at any value in South Australia. In other states, no specific painting licence applies, but general consumer protections still do.
Checked against official sources on 27 September 2026
What to ask a painter
Ask for their licence or registration number where one is required, their ABN, and proof of public liability insurance. Get a written quote that lists preparation, the number of coats and the paint products.
Painter licensing by state
| State / territory | Requirement | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Contractor licence needed for residential painting work over $5,000 (labour and materials). | NSW Government |
| Victoria | No separate painter licence. Painting as part of domestic building work over $10,000 is covered by builder registration rules. | BPC |
| Queensland | QBCC licence needed for painting work over $3,300. | QBCC |
| Western Australia | Painter registration needed for painting work over $1,000 in areas covered by the registration scheme. | WA Government |
| South Australia | Building work contractor licence needed for painting work of any value. | SA Government |
| Tasmania | Check with CBOS whether the work is licensed building work. | CBOS |
| Australian Capital Territory | Check with Access Canberra whether the work needs a licence. | Access Canberra |
| Northern Territory | Check with the Building Practitioners Board whether the work needs registration. | BPB |
Regulators
BCBuilding Commission NSW NSW · Building and trade licensing, compliance and complaintsQBCCQueensland Building and Construction Commission QLD · Building licensing, home warranty scheme and pool safety registerB&EBuilding and Energy WA · Builder, painter, plumber, electrical and gas licensingCBSConsumer and Business Services SA · Building work contractor and trade licensing
Sources
This is a general summary, not legal advice. Laws and thresholds change, so confirm with the regulator before you start work. See our legal disclaimer.