Last Updated on March 31, 2025 by Ozlinks Education

If you have been employed as a house painter and decorator but have not yet attained your qualification for any reason, you’re come to the right place. The RPL Recognition of Prior Learning program is a way to convert your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Painting and Decorating from one of our Registered Training Organisation partners.

Let’s get your skills certified!

Certificate III in Painting and Decorating Overview

The Certificate III in Painting and Decorating is designed for people who want to work in the painting trades within the building and construction sector. The course covers essential skills such as surface preparation, application techniques, and safety practices. Students will gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge to prepare them for a successful career in this field. You might consider obtaining the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating, as it is one of the essential trade qualifications required when applying for a job in the building and construction industry.

To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:

29 units of competency must be completed:

  • 26 core units
  • 3 elective units

Job title: Painter and Decorator

Check Your Eligibility

Contact us to find out if you qualify for this qualification.

Why do I need the Certificate III in Painting?

If you have been working as a painter or decorator in the residential or commercial building industry but have not yet obtained your qualification for any reason, pursuing an RPL program for this certification can help you excel in the building and construction sector. It will also assist you in preparing for the requirements of becoming a licenced paint trades worker, enabling professionals to legally undertake residential, commercial, and industrial painting projects throughout Australia.

International students and migrants who have been working as painting trades workers in Australia and want to apply for skills assessment for the general skills migration (GSM) program, need the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating to meet one of the qualification requirements.

Ozlinks Education can assist you in transforming your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Painting and Decorating through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program with one of our Registered Training Organisation partners. Our expert team will assess your individual circumstances and provide tailored support to ensure that you achieve the qualifications necessary to advance your career.

rpl certificate iii in painting and decorating
rpl certificate iii in painting and decorating

What does a painting trades worker do?

A painting trades worker applies paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes to protect, maintain and decorate surfaces of buildings and structures. Registration or licensing may be required.

Their job involves:

  • erecting scaffolding and ladders, and placing drop sheets to protect adjacent areas from paint splattering
  • preparing surfaces by removing old paint and wallpaper, fixing woodwork, filling holes and cracks, and smoothing and sealing surfaces
  • selecting and preparing paints to required colours by mixing portions of pigment, oil, and thinning and drying additives
  • applying paints, varnishes and stains to surfaces using brushes, rollers and sprays
  • hanging wallpaper, matching patterns and trimming edges
  • cleaning equipment and work areas
  • may repair windows and replace glass with wooden and metal frames
  • may lay and repair wall and floor tiles

What is Recognition of Prior Learning?

The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), which is governed by the Australian Government’s Department of Education in consultation with the states and territories, gives all students the right to have their prior education, relevant work experience, and training acknowledged to facilitate their advancement towards and between qualifications. Every registered training organisation (RTO) has its own policies and procedures for determining your RPL eligibility, but the fundamentals are the same. The experience and skills you’ve gained through your work can help you complete a qualification faster and reduce the time commitment of taking a course to get you closer to your dream job.

The advantages of using RPL program

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program offer numerous benefits, including time and cost savings by validating existing skills and experience, expedited qualification achievement, and improved employment prospects. RPL program helps you:

  • There is no need to relearn what you already know.
  • It saves both your time and tuition fees.
  • Assist you in achieving your career change objectives in Australia.
  • Gaining an Australian qualification requires less time.
  • You do not need to attend classes or redo the training you have already completed.
  • Open new career opportunities.
  • Assist you in obtaining a qualification that satisfies the visa or skills assessment requirement.

Evidence requirements

Below is the general list of documents that you are required to provide to support your RPL assessment application:

  • 100 points of identification documents (ID)
  • A current resume outlines your relevant employment history.
  • Student USI number
  • A white card or any other relevant license
  • Employment evidence, including an employment reference letter, employment contract, payslips, income statement, and superannuation.
  • Workplace photos and videos showcasing yourself performing your tasks according to the job duties mentioned above demonstrate your competency in the applied qualification.

Note: Additional gap training may be necessary to address any areas for improvement and to ensure a positive assessment outcome. An RTO assessor might conduct a competency interview with you to identify any existing training gaps.

The RPL process is done in 3 simple steps.

The RPL process consists of three stages and typically takes between six and eight weeks to complete from the time an applicant applies to an RPL assessment institute. During this period, applicants gather evidence of their skills and experiences, which is then evaluated against the relevant qualifications. This thorough process ensures that the recognition of prior learning accurately reflects the applicant's capabilities and knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of questions that our customers often ask us. If you need more information, don't hesitate to contact Ozlinks Education now.

Why should you consider RPL?

The RPL is generally a faster way to an Australian qualification than completing a formal training course because it recognizes your previous work experience.

Yes. The RPL evaluation process is just as thorough as any other evaluation. But the evidence you need to show may be different from what is usually asked in a class assessment.

When the criteria for each of the subjects are met, a degree may be partially or fully accredited. For example, only completed subjects can be counted towards the qualification.

Even if your credits aren't enough to qualify, you can still receive written certification of the courses you've completed.

This will depend on the complexity of your qualification, how many subjects you apply for and how long it takes you to gather proof of work experience, collate and submit proof. Usually, the RPL process is 6 to 8 weeks from the date of application to the RPL assessment institute and also depends on your industry and qualifications.

What RPL qualification are you looking for?

To improve your chances of landing a high-paying job in the Australian job market, consider evaluating your skills and having them formally recognised. You can apply for skills certification through the recognition of prior learning process if you are a skilled worker or an international student migrant living in Australia with recent job experience. Choose the qualification that best meets your needs and circumstances from the list below. 

Building and construction is a significant industry that offers employment opportunities to both men and women in a wide variety of professions, such as joiners, carpenters, wall and floor tiler, solid plasterer, roof plumber, and general plumber. The building and construction refer to the manufacturing and commercial sector of the industrial sector that is concerned with the building, repairing, renovating, and maintaining of infrastructures.

Trade and Construction Qualifications
  • RPL Certificate III in Landscape Construction
  • RPL Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
  • RPL Certificate III in Roof Plumbing
  • RPL Certificate III in Joinery
  • RPL Certificate III in Cabinetmaking
  • RPL Certificate III in Carpentry
  • RPL Certificate III in Solid Plastering
  • RPL Certificate III in Shopfitting
  • RPL Certificate III in Roof Tiling
  • RPL Certificate III in Concreting
  • RPL Certificate III in Stonemasonry
  • RPL Certificate III in Demolition
  • RPL Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
  • RPL Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
  • RPL Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining
  • RPL Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling
  • RPL Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
  • RPL Certificate III in Plumbing
  • RPL Certificate IV in Plumbing
  • RPL Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
  • RPL Diploma of Building and Construction
  • RPL Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying

RPL Industries

The following is a list of the industries in which we are able to assist you with the RPL process. Our knowledgeable RPL document checking service guides applicants step by step in meeting the documentation requirements for the RPL application criteria. We review all relevant content in all types of your documents to ensure that it is correct and meets the criteria, giving you a better chance of a positive outcome.