361231 Painter

Role overview

Applies paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes to protect, maintain and decorate surfaces of buildings and structures.

Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.

Tasks

• Prepares surfaces by removing old paint and filling holes and cracks, and covers surfaces with drop cloths or masking tape to protect surrounding areas
• Selects and mixes paints and stains to achieve desired colour and texture
• Applies paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes using brushes, rollers, sprayers or other tools
• Smooths and sands surfaces between coats of paint or varnish, and inspects finished work to ensure quality and adherence to client specifications
• Collaborates with clients to determine colour schemes and finishes, and estimates materials and labour costs for painting projects

Skill level guidance

Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.

How to use this occupation page

Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.

The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.

Alternative titles

• Painter and Decorator