How to become a Painter

Painting is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it’s still popular today. If you’re interested in becoming a commercial painter in Australia, there are some steps you will need to take to make sure you’re on the right path. This blog post will provide an overview of what you can expect and how you can become a successful painter.

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‍Step 1: Get your qualifications

The first step towards becoming a successful painter is to obtain the necessary qualifications and certifications. Depending on your level of experience, you may need to start with a Certificate III or IV in painting and decorating from an accredited institution such as TAFE or another private training provider.

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‍Step 2: Stay in touch with new tools and tech

Once you have obtained your qualifications, it is important to keep up with any industry changes or developments that may be relevant to your field. As a commercial painter, you will need to have a good understanding of different painting techniques and the appropriate materials to use for different surfaces and applications. Additionally, staying abreast of new tools and technologies can also help make your business run more efficiently.

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‍Step 3: Build your portfolio

The next step is to build up your portfolio. Your portfolio should contain examples of the work you have done, including any recent work that showcases your skills. It’s also important to keep track of any public recognition or awards that may have been given for your work, as this can help demonstrate your credibility as a professional painter. Additionally, having testimonials from satisfied customers can also be beneficial when building up your portfolio as well as helping secure future clients.

Step 4: Develop your network

It is important to network with other professionals in the industry; this includes other painters, suppliers and other professionals who could potentially refer clients directly or through their networks. Building relationships with those within the industry often helps create opportunities which may not otherwise arise, such as being able to collaborate on large projects or new developments, so it’s important to maintain connections with others who are in similar roles or related industries too.

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‍Step 5: Setup your business

Once you have and network to get going, you’ll need to register your business. You can start by confirming your business and registering for an ABN. You'll need to get business insurance and start promoting your services. You should have a website and social media presence to begin with. As a new business, it makes sense to also register for services like HiPages or Airtasker, which are marketplaces where clients will post jobs for painters to apply for.

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‍Step 6: Invoice your clients

Once you start winning some projects, you’ll need to get paid. Typically speaking, you’ll start a project by quoting a client, then when the job is complete, you’ll invoice them. Thriday is a great tool for invoicing, as it is integrated with a business bank account* and automated bookkeeping and tax. This means that as you get paid, your income and GST are automatically reconciled, and you can see what your predicted tax bill be as a result of the payment. Thriday was designed to remove the headache of financial admin for small business owners. You can sign up for a free trial today.

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Becoming a successful painter requires dedication and commitment but it can be achieved by taking the necessary steps outlined above — obtaining qualifications and certifications; building up a portfolio; networking with other professionals; and staying abreast of industry trends and changes. With hard work and perseverance anyone can become a successful painter in Australia.