Australia Skilled Migration Guide – Updated June 2026
PAINTER | ANZSCO 332211
If you are a skilled Painter looking to migrate to Australia in 2026, you are entering the migration system at an advantageous time. Australia's housing construction boom and commercial building sector are driving sustained, nationwide demand for painting trades professionals. With a federal target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029, qualified Painters are among the most consistently sought-after construction tradespeople across every state and territory.
Under ANZSCO 332211, Painters (formerly titled "Painting Trades Worker" and updated to "Painter" in December 2024 under LIN 24/083) are listed on Australia's MLTSSL, providing access to permanent residency through multiple visa pathways. This fully updated June 2026 guide covers the complete migration roadmap for skilled Painters.
OCCUPATION SNAPSHOT – QUICK REFERENCE TABLE
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Occupation Title (2026) | Painter |
| Previous ANZSCO Title | Painting Trades Worker |
| ANZSCO Code | 332211 |
| Title Updated | December 2024 (LIN 24/083) |
| ANZSCO Unit Group | 3322 – Painters |
| Skill Level | 3 (AQF Certificate III or equivalent) |
| Assessment Authority | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
| Occupation Lists (2026) | MLTSSL, CSOL |
| Points Test Applicable | Yes |
| Licensing Required | Yes (State/Territory based) |
| Industry Sector | Building & Construction |
| Occupation Shortage | Regional Shortage (R) identified by JSA |
| Updated | June 2026 |
Note: There is currently a technical inconsistency between the ANZSCO version used for skilled visa applications (v1.2/2013) and the updated title in the MLTSSL. For SkillSelect and ImmiAccount, the title displayed may vary between "Painting Trades Worker" and "Painter" depending on the platform. Always confirm the correct title and code with your registered migration agent before lodging.
ANZSCO 332211
WHAT DOES A PAINTER DO?
A Painter (ANZSCO 332211) applies paint, varnish, wallpaper, and other finishes to protect, maintain, and decorate the surfaces of buildings and structures. Key duties include:
- Erecting scaffolding, ladders, and placing drop sheets to protect surrounding areas
- Preparing surfaces: removing old paint/wallpaper, fixing woodwork, filling holes and cracks, smoothing and sealing surfaces
- Selecting and preparing paints to required colours (mixing pigments, oils, additives)
- Applying paint, varnishes, and stains using brushes, rollers, and spray equipment
- Hanging wallpaper, matching patterns, and trimming edges
- Applying specialty finishes (texture coatings, anti-graffiti, fire-retardant paints)
- Working on both interior and exterior surfaces of residential and commercial buildings
- Estimating paint quantities and costs for quotation purposes
- Following Australian Standards and WHS requirements for safe working at heights
- Cleaning and maintaining tools, spray equipment, and brushes
Excluded occupations: Painter (Visual Arts) = ANZSCO 2114; Vehicle Painter = ANZSCO 3243; Industrial Spraypainter = ANZSCO 7112. These are separate ANZSCO codes.
Skills Assessment
SKILLS ASSESSMENT – TRADES RECOGNITION AUSTRALIA (TRA)
| Assessment Body | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
|---|---|
| Programs Available |
Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Offshore Skills Assessment (OSAP) |
| Pathways |
Pathway 1 – No Australian qualification Pathway 2 – With overseas qualification |
| Minimum Work Experience | 3 years (full-time, directly relevant) |
| Qualification Required | AQF Certificate III (Painting & Dec.) or equivalent overseas qualification |
| Technical Assessment | Yes – interview + practical in English |
| Interpreter Policy | NOT permitted in any assessment |
| Priority Processing (2026) |
YES – construction trades prioritised 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2026 |
TRA PATHWAYS:
TRA PATHWAY 1 – No Australian Qualification:
- Step 1: Find a TRA-approved RTO via the RTO Finder tool on tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au
- Step 2: Gather and submit decision-ready documentary evidence:
- – Certified passport copies
- – Overseas trade certificate in Painting and Decorating (or equivalent)
- – Employment reference letters (employer, role, dates, duties, hours/week)
- – Supporting work evidence (payslips, tax records)
- Step 3: Attend technical assessment by a qualified Australian Painter (Interview + possible practical test; entirely in English)
- Step 4: TRA issues Migration Skills Assessment outcome letter
TRA PATHWAY 2 – With Overseas Qualification (AQF III Equivalent):
- Step 1: Apply via TRA online portal
- Step 2: Upload certified qualification documents + detailed employment references
- Step 3: TRA assesses qualification against AQF Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
- Step 4: Skills gap analysis or technical interview may follow
DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST:
- Valid passport (certified copy)
- Painting trade certificate/diploma (e.g., Certificate III in Painting and Decorating) (certified English translation required if not originally in English)
- Employment reference letters on employer letterhead — must specify:
- * Your full name and job title
- * Exact employment dates (start and end)
- * Weekly hours worked
- * Specific duties performed as a painter
- Supporting evidence: payslips, tax records, work permits, PAYG summaries
- Any painting contractor licence, registration, or trade association membership
- Completed TRA application form + fee payment
Eligible Visas
VISA SUBCLASS OPTIONS – TABLE
| Visa Subclass | Visa Name | Type | Occupation List |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | Permanent | MLTSSL |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | Permanent | MLTSSL / SOL |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Prov.) | Prov. | MLTSSL / ROL |
| 186 DE | Employer Nomination Scheme | Permanent | Any |
| 186 TRT | ENS Transition Stream | Permanent | MLTSSL |
| 482 SID | Temporary Skill Shortage | Temp. | CSOL |
| 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored | Prov. | ROL |
| 191 | Permanent Residence Regional | Permanent | (from 491/494) |
VISA PATHWAY NOTES:
- 189: Points-based; no sponsor needed; permanent residency; very competitive
- 190: State nomination required; +5 bonus points; permanent residency
- 491: Regional only; +15 bonus points; after 3 years → Subclass 191 PR
- 482 SID: Employer-sponsored temporary; 2–4 years; pathway to 186 TRT permanent
- 186 DE: Employer-sponsored permanent; no points test
- 494: Regional employer-sponsored; 5-year provisional; leads to 191 PR
Occupation Lists
OCCUPATION LISTS – STATUS (JUNE 2026)
| Occupation List | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MLTSSL | YES | Access: 189, 190, 491, 186, 494 |
| CSOL | YES | Access: 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa |
| JSA Shortage | R | Regional Shortage identified nationally |
| State Lists | VARIES | Multiple states actively nominating Painters |
Migration Points
POINTS TEST BREAKDOWN
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25–32 | 30 |
| Age 33–39 | 25 |
| Age 40–44 | 15 |
| Age 45–49 | 0 |
| Superior English (IELTS 8.0 each) | 20 |
| Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each) | 10 |
| Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each) | 0 (minimum) |
| Overseas experience 8–10 years | 20 |
| Overseas experience 5–8 years | 15 |
| Overseas experience 3–5 years | 10 |
| Overseas experience 1–3 years | 5 |
| Australian experience 8–10 years | 20 |
| Australian experience 5–8 years | 15 |
| Australian experience 3–5 years | 10 |
| Australian experience 1–3 years | 5 |
| State nomination (190 visa) | +5 |
| Regional nomination (491 visa) | +15 |
| Specialist education qualification | 10 |
| Australian study requirement (2 yrs) | 5 |
| Accredited community language | 5 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| Partner skills assessment | 5 or 10 |
Minimum required: 65 points
Competitive range (June 2026): 70–85+ points (varies by state, program, and round)
State Nominations
STATE NOMINATION OPTIONS (JUNE 2026)
| State/Territory | SC190 | SC491 | Notes (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | YES | YES | Available on NSW skilled occupation list |
| Victoria | YES | YES | Regional 491 active |
| Queensland | YES | YES | Offshore skilled list updated Sept 2025 |
| Western Australia | YES | YES |
WASMOL Schedule 2 (Building & Const.) IELTS 6.0 all bands required 190 Quota 2025-26: 1,000 places 491 Quota 2025-26: 1,000 places |
| South Australia | YES | YES | SA skilled list 2025-26 active |
| Tasmania | YES | YES |
Must commit to 2 yrs same industry in TAS Employer must operate in TAS 12+ months |
| ACT | YES | YES | Canberra Matrix; 6 months ACT residency |
| Northern Territory | YES | YES | Regional demand strong; less competition |
Language Proficiency
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
| Visa Subclass | Level Required | IELTS Score |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 190 | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 491 | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 186 DE | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 482 SID | Competent English | 5.0 overall (IELTS) |
| WA Nomination | 6.0 in all 4 bands | IELTS / PTE / TOEFL / OET |
Accepted tests: IELTS Academic/GT, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET
Exempt countries: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand (most subclasses)
Licensing & Registration
LICENSING IN AUSTRALIA
Painters in Australia require a state/territory contractor licence for residential and commercial work. Requirements vary by state:
| State/Territory | Licensing Authority & Licence Type |
|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Fair Trading – Contractor Licence (Painting & Decorating category) |
| Victoria | Victorian Building Authority (VBA) – Domestic Builder (Unlimited/Limited) |
| Queensland | QBCC – Painting & Decorating category |
| Western Australia | Building and Energy (DMIRS) – Painting Work class licence |
| South Australia | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) |
| Tasmania | Office of the Building Regulator |
| ACT | Access Canberra |
| NT | NT Building Practitioners Board |
A positive TRA skills assessment is typically required before applying for your state painting licence.
Salary Insights
SALARY EXPECTATIONS IN AUSTRALIA (2026)
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Qualified Painter | $60,000 – $80,000 |
| Experienced Painter | $80,000 – $105,000 |
| Senior / Leading Hand Painter | $100,000 – $125,000 |
| Self-employed Contractor | $110,000 – $170,000+ |
Painters specialising in commercial, industrial, or high-rise painting, or those with spray-painting and specialty coating skills, typically earn at the higher end of these ranges.
Market Demand
WHY AUSTRALIA NEEDS PAINTERS IN 2026
- Federal housing target: 1.2 million new homes by 2029 — every new build needs painting
- Major commercial and infrastructure projects across all states
- Consistent demand for both interior and exterior painting in the renovation market
- Growing demand for specialty coatings (anti-graffiti, fireproof, epoxy, thermal)
- Decline in domestic apprenticeship completions in painting and decorating
- Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has flagged Painters with Regional Shortage (R) status
- High turnover in the trade creates ongoing demand for experienced overseas painters
Migration Services
HOW MIGRATION REPUBLIC CAN HELP YOU
Migrating to Australia as a Painter involves navigating the ANZSCO title change (LIN 24/083), the TRA assessment process, a competitive points test, and state nomination timing. Migration Republic's registered migration agents are experienced in trade occupation migration and will guide you through each step professionally and efficiently.
We provide:
- Free eligibility check for ANZSCO 332211 (including LIN 24/083 title guidance)
- TRA skills assessment pathway advice and full application support
- Employment reference letter structuring to meet TRA requirements
- Points test strategy — how to maximise your score before lodging EOI
- State nomination advice — best state and timing for your profile
- EOI lodgement and SkillSelect management
- End-to-end visa application management (189, 190, 491, 186, 482)
- Family inclusion planning for partner and dependants
📩 Your Australian painting career starts with one step.
🌐 Visit: www.migrationrepublic.com.au
📞 Book your free consultation with our registered trade migration specialists.
Migration Republic — Painting a Brighter Future in Australia.
FAQ
FAQs – PAINTER ANZSCO 332211
Interactive Tools
Calculate Points & Check Your Visa Eligibility
Use our interactive self-service migration tools to calculate your points score, test your eligibility, and discover your potential Australian visa options instantly.
PR Points Calculator
Calculate your skilled migration points score instantly to check your eligibility for 189, 190, or 491 visas.
Calculate Points ↗Visa Selection Quiz
Take our quick interactive quiz to find the most suitable Australian visa subclass for your personal profile.
Start Visa Quiz ↗Eligibility Checker
Verify if you meet the core requirements for Australian skilled, employer-sponsored, or regional visas.
Check Eligibility ↗Ready to Start Your Painter Visa Pathway?
Let Migration Republic guide you through every step of your visa pathway to Australia. Contact our team today for a consultation.
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Your Trusted Australia Migration Partner – June 2026
