Painting, Tiling & Plastering Courses in Australia

Quick answer

The finishing trades each have a Certificate III: Painting and Decorating (CPC30620), Wall and Floor Tiling (CPC31320), Solid Plastering (CPC31020) and Wall and Ceiling Lining (CPC31220) for fibrous plasterers. All four codes are current as at October 2026. Painting Trades Worker 332211, Wall and Floor Tiler 333411, Solid Plasterer 333212 and Fibrous Plasterer 333211 are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses them. Recent Australian graduates usually get a Provisional Skills Assessment for the 485 visa, then complete the Job Ready Program.

Painting, Tiling & Plastering Courses at a Glance

Course Options by Study Level

Current Course Codes

The Construction, Plumbing and Services training package was updated on 23 September 2026, and the Certificate III in Carpentry received a new code. The finishing trade qualifications did not: CPC30620, CPC31320, CPC31020 and CPC31220 are all still current. None has entry requirements. Each includes the general construction induction (white card) unit CPCWHS1001.

Meeting the 485 Study Requirement

These Certificate III courses are often shorter than 2 years. The 485 visa needs at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of CRICOS study in Australia over at least 16 months. Students often combine two related qualifications, such as painting with wall and ceiling lining, or add a Diploma of Building and Construction. Check the total CRICOS duration before you enrol.

Skills Assessment and Visas

Painting Trades Worker, Wall and Floor Tiler, Solid Plasterer and Fibrous Plasterer are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, which the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires. TRA assesses them. Recent CRICOS graduates first get a Provisional Skills Assessment, then complete the Job Ready Program on the 485 visa: at least 12 months of full-time paid work in the trade with a TRA-approved employer, a workplace assessment and a final assessment. Roof Tiler is only on the Short-term list, so it cannot be used for this 485 stream.

Do You Need a Licence?

Rules differ by state. In Victoria, you do not need to register with the Building and Plumbing Commission for a job that involves only one trade such as painting, tiling or plastering. Registration is needed if you combine trades on domestic building work worth more than $10,000, and the Commission has limited registration classes for these trades.

Careers and Skilled Occupation Lists

These occupations are linked to painting, tiling and plastering courses. List status is from our Occupation Finder data, checked 15 October 2026. On the Core Skills Occupation List some appear under newer names.

Lists: MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List), ROL (Regional Occupation List), CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List for the 482 and 186 visas). Check any occupation in our Occupation Finder.

How to Start

1. Choose your course and levelTell us your previous study, English results, budget and career goal. We shortlist courses and providers that fit.
2. Check the course package and practical trainingAsk how much hands-on training is included and whether the total CRICOS duration meets the 92-week 485 study requirement, which may mean combining two qualifications.
3. Check the provider on CRICOSInternational students must study a course registered on CRICOS. The CRICOS duration also matters for the 485 visa, which needs at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia over at least 16 months.
4. Apply and accept your offerApply with your documents, accept the offer, pay the deposit and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover. The provider then issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
5. Apply for your Student visaLodge your Student visa (subclass 500) with evidence of funds, English and the Genuine Student requirement. Since 2 October 2026 most applicants must apply from outside Australia. See our Student visa guide.

How Aussie ASEAN Can Help

We compare painting, tiling and plastering providers on their workshops, practical training and total course length, help with your application and Student visa, and our Registered Migration Agent can plan your TRA Provisional Skills Assessment, 485 visa and Job Ready Program.

Free tools for students

Related courses and visas

Sources: CPC30620 on training.gov.au · CPC31320 on training.gov.au · CPC31020 on training.gov.au · CPC31220 on training.gov.au · TRA Provisional Skills Assessment · Consumer Affairs Victoria: registered building practitioners