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How to Start a Painting Business in Australia

Q: Do you need a licence to be a painter in Australia?

It depends on the state or territory and the value of the work. Painter licensing is set at state level, not federal. In Queensland the QBCC requires a licence for painting and decorating work over a low-value threshold (around AUD $3,300 including materials at the time of writing). In New South Wales, Fair Trading requires a tradesperson certificate or contractor licence for residential building work — including painting — over AUD $5,000 in labour and materials. Some states, such as Victoria, don't license painting as a standalone trade. Always check your state or territory building regulator before quoting.

Q: How do I register a painting business in Australia?

Apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) free through the Australian Business Register. If you'll trade under anything other than your own legal name, register that business name with ASIC for a small annual or three-yearly fee. Choose a structure — sole trader, partnership, company or trust — and if you incorporate, register the company with ASIC. Register for GST once your turnover reaches the threshold, and set up PAYG withholding if you'll employ staff.

Q: When do painters have to register for GST in Australia?

GST registration is compulsory once your annual turnover reaches AUD $75,000 or you expect it to. Below that you can register voluntarily. GST is 10% added on top of your ex-GST price. Once registered you charge GST, claim credits on business purchases, and lodge a Business Activity Statement (BAS) monthly, quarterly or annually. This is general information — confirm current thresholds with the ATO.

Q: What insurance does a painter need in Australia?

Public liability is the core cover — commercial and government sites commonly require AUD $10 million or $20 million; many residential painters carry $5 million to $10 million. Workers' compensation is compulsory through your state scheme once you employ staff (a sole trader with no employees generally isn't covered and often takes income protection instead). Tool and plant cover, and professional indemnity for design or colour advice, are optional extras. Requirements vary — check your state's insurance rules and each contract's minimums.

Q: Can I run a painting business as a sole trader in Australia?

Yes. Sole trader is the simplest and cheapest structure — you need an ABN, you report business income on your personal tax return, and you register for GST once you hit the $75,000 threshold. The trade-off is that you're personally liable for business debts. Many painters start as sole traders and move to a company structure as they grow, take on employees, or want to limit personal liability. Get advice from an accountant for your situation.

To start a painting business in Australia you need an ABN, the right state or territory licence (thresholds run from about AUD $3,300 in QLD to $5,000 in NSW — some states don't license painting at all), public liability insurance (commonly $5–20 million), workers' compensation once you employ staff, and GST registration once turnover hits AUD $75,000. The exact rules depend on your state — this guide is the starting checklist, not the final word.

The essentials at a glance

Requirement	What it is	Threshold / authority
Painter licence	State/territory trade or contractor licence for building work	Varies by state — QBCC (QLD), Fair Trading (NSW), etc. Thresholds ~$3,300–$5,000+
ABN	Australian Business Number — identifies your business to the ATO and clients	Free, via the Australian Business Register (ABR)
Business name	Register if trading under anything but your own legal name	ASIC — small annual or 3-yearly fee
Public liability	Covers third-party injury or property damage	Typically $5M–$20M; commercial sites often require $10M–$20M
Workers' compensation	Compulsory once you employ staff	State scheme (icare NSW, WorkSafe VIC, WorkCover QLD, etc.)
GST	Goods and Services Tax registration	Compulsory at AUD $75,000 turnover; 10% rate

General information, not legal or financial advice. Licensing, insurance and tax rules change and differ by state and territory. Figures here are indicative and current at the time of writing (2026). Verify every requirement with the relevant regulator — your state building authority, the ABR, the ATO, ASIC and your state workers' comp scheme — and get advice from a licensed accountant or solicitor before you start trading.

1. Choose your business structure

Most painters start as a sole trader — cheapest to set up, simplest to run, business income reported on your personal tax return. The trade-off is unlimited personal liability. A company (Pty Ltd) limits your liability and can be more tax-effective as you grow, but costs more to run and adds reporting obligations. Partnerships and trusts are also options. Talk to an accountant about which fits your plans and expected income.

2. Get an ABN and register your business name

Apply for an ABN free through the Australian Business Register. You'll quote it on every invoice — without one, clients must withhold tax from your payments at the top marginal rate. If you trade under a name that isn't your own legal name (for example "Coastline Painting" rather than "Jane Smith"), register that business name with ASIC. If you set up a company, ASIC registration handles the company itself.

3. Licensing — check your state

There's no national painter's licence. Each state and territory sets its own rules, and the trigger is usually the value of the job. The table below is a general guide — always confirm with the regulator, because thresholds and exemptions change.

State / territory	Regulator	General position (verify current rules)
Queensland	QBCC	Painting & decorating licence required above a low-value threshold (around $3,300 incl. materials)
New South Wales	NSW Fair Trading	Tradesperson certificate / contractor licence for residential work over $5,000 (labour + materials)
Victoria	VBA / Consumer Affairs	Painting generally not licensed as a standalone trade; domestic building insurance rules can apply on larger jobs
Western Australia	DMIRS / Building Commission	No specific painter's licence; painting is generally exempt building work — confirm current position
South Australia	Consumer & Business Services	Building work contractor / tradesperson registration can apply — check thresholds
ACT / TAS / NT	Territory / state regulator	Rules vary — check the relevant building or fair trading authority

Even where no licence is required, you must still meet work health and safety, consumer and environmental obligations. Trading unlicensed where a licence is required can void contracts and insurance — this is one to get right before you quote.

4. Insurance

Public liability is non-negotiable — it covers you if you damage a client's property or injure someone. Residential painters often carry $5–10 million; commercial and government contracts commonly require $10–20 million, so match your cover to the work you chase. Workers' compensation becomes compulsory the moment you employ anyone, through your state scheme; a sole trader with no employees generally isn't eligible and usually takes personal income protection instead. Consider tool and plant cover for theft or damage, and professional indemnity if you give colour or coating advice.

5. Tax and GST

Register for GST once your turnover reaches AUD $75,000 (or you expect it to) — below that it's optional. GST adds 10% on top of your ex-GST price; you charge it, claim credits on business purchases, and lodge a Business Activity Statement. If you employ staff you'll also run PAYG withholding and pay superannuation (12% at the time of writing). A bookkeeper or accountant, plus estimating software that separates cost from sell, keeps this clean from day one.

6. Price for profit, not just to win work

The fastest way to sink a new painting business is underquoting. Build your price from your real loaded labour cost — wages plus super, workers' comp, leave and allowances — then add a margin that survives a bad week. Surfacely does exactly this: measure the job, apply your real costs and production speed, and it derives a sell price that protects your margin automatically. See painting labour rates by region and how to quote a painting job for the numbers behind it.

Related guides

FAQ

Do you need a licence to be a painter in Australia?

It depends on the state and the value of the work. QLD (QBCC) requires a licence above roughly $3,300; NSW (Fair Trading) above $5,000; Victoria generally doesn't license painting as a standalone trade. Check your state or territory regulator before quoting.

How do I register a painting business in Australia?

Get an ABN free from the Australian Business Register, register your business name with ASIC if it isn't your own legal name, choose a structure, register for GST at the threshold, and set up PAYG and super if you'll employ staff.

When do painters have to register for GST in Australia?

Once annual turnover reaches AUD $75,000, or you expect it to. GST is 10% on top of your ex-GST price. Below the threshold, registration is voluntary.

What insurance does a painter need in Australia?

Public liability (commonly $5–20 million — commercial sites often require $10–20 million) and workers' compensation once you employ staff. Tool cover and professional indemnity are optional extras.

Can I run a painting business as a sole trader in Australia?

Yes — it's the simplest structure. You need an ABN, report income on your personal return, and register for GST at $75,000. The trade-off is personal liability for business debts.