Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, a painter is required to be registered to carry out painting work valued over $1,000. The legislation has two categories of registration.
Registered painting practitioner
In Western Australia, a registered painting practitioner can:
- be a nominated supervisor for a registered painting contractor;
- use the title registered painting practitioner; and
- be employed or subcontract to a registered painting contractor person or company.
A person who is registered as a painting practitioner cannot provide painting services to the public unless they are also registered as a painting contractor.
To apply for registration as a painting practitioner you must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient technical painting knowledge, qualifications and experience. You must complete an application form and submit it to Licensing Services with your supporting documentation and applicable fees.
Registered painting contractor
In Western Australia, a registered painting contractor can:
- enter into contracts to provide painting services to the public valued over $1,000; and
- use the title registered painting contractor.
All painting contractors must have a nominated supervisor who is a registered painting practitioner.
To apply for registration as a painting contractor you must be able to demonstrate that you have the financial and organisational capacity to carry out and complete painting services valued over $1,000. You must complete an application form and submit it to Licensing Services with your supporting documentation and applicable fees.
Types of painting contractor
Registered painting contractor (individual)
A registered painting contractor (individual), or a sole trader, is an individual who can enter into contracts to provide painting services valued at over $1,000. To register as a painting contractor (individual), you must also be registered as a painting practitioner. Registering as both a practitioner and contractor allows you to act as your own nominated supervisor. Painting contractor (individual) is the most common type of painting contractor in Western Australia.
Registered painting contractor (partnership)
A registered painting contractor (partnership) is two or more entities. For example, an individual and a company, two individuals and a company or three individuals all may form partnerships. These partnerships could then enter into contracts to provide painting services valued at over $1,000. Registered painting partnerships are required to have at least one nominated supervisor, who is a registered painting practitioner.
Registered painting contractor (company)
A registered painting contractor (company) is a proprietary limited company registered with Australian Securities and Investment Commission which can enter into contracts to provide painting services. A painting contractor (company) must have at least one nominated supervisor who is a registered painting practitioner.
Contractor registration reflects a business’s ability to contract with others to provide services as a painter with a value of $1,000 or more located the area of the Building Services Board’s jurisdiction. A map showing Board’s jurisdiction is available on the 'legislative framework' page.
Outside the Board’s jurisdiction, painters do not need to be registered.
How to apply for registration
If you are applying for registration for the first time, see the painting practitioner new registration page for further information.
If you are previously registered and your renewal is due, see the painting practitioner renewal or the painting contractor renewal page for further information.
