Working as a Spray Painter you will paint, refinish, repair and maintain painted surfaces on a range of cars, recreational vehicles, commercial vehicles and motorcycles. You will apply primers, remove old paint, fill holes and match colours.

Summary of Training

  • Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace
  • Interpret and apply automotive repair instructions
  • Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace
  • Mask vehicle panels and components
  • Apply refinishing primers to vehicle surfaces
  • Prepare and paint plastic and composite vehicle surfaces
  • De-nib, buff and polish vehicle painted surfaces
  • Remove paint from vehicle painted surfaces
  • Prepare vehicle spray painting equipment for use
  • Apply basic colour matching techniques using vehicle paint codes
  • Prepare and operate vehicle paint drying equipment
  • Prepare vehicle substrates for refinishing
  • Colour match multi-layer and clear over base two-pack paints on vehicles and components
  • Match direct gloss solid paint colour on vehicles or components
  • Rectify and touch up vehicle paint faults using clear over base two-pack systems
  • Apply clear over base two-pack refinishing materials to vehicle body components
  • Apply clear over base multi-layer and pearl refinishing materials to vehicle body components
  • Apply water-based refinishing materials to vehicle bodies and substrates
  • Work effectively with others in an automotive workplace
  • Prepare vehicles for customer use
  • Inspect vehicle paint, trim and accessories and recommend repair procedures
  • Repair vehicle thermoplastic body panels and components
  • Inspect vehicle damage and determine repair procedures
  • Apply original equipment manufacturer repair procedures during vehicle repairs
  • Touch up minor vehicle paintwork damage
  • Apply vehicle body film wrapping
  • Apply solid acrylic two-pack materials to vehicle components
  • Apply air dry and polyurethane refinishing materials
  • Rectify and touch up vehicle direct gloss paint faults using two-pack systems
  • Rectify vehicle multi-layer and pearl paint faults using two-pack systems

Please note that this Job & Training Description provides an example of the selection of non-core units. Alternative combinations of units may be selected and in some cases prerequisite units may need to be completed. For advice contact Apprenticeship Network providers or an approved Registered Training Organisation.

This Australian Apprenticeship occupation may attract incentives under the Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System. For more information contact an Apprenticeship Network provider, call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73, or look at the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive page

Additionally, this Australian Apprenticeship occupation may attract incentives under the Australian Government's New Energy Apprenticeships Program. For more information contact an Apprenticeship Network provider, call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73, or look at the Australian Apprenitceships Incentives page.

Job Pathways

Automotive Retail, Service and Repair

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This occupation fits generally with these groupings

Industry Group
Automotive, Transport & Maritime

Work Type
Analytic & Investigative
Manual & Realistic

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Employment and wage data for this industry

Commencements Change

The change in Australian Apprenticeships commencements in this overall industry in the past two years. Commencements in 22/23: 15903

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 18/10/2023. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Employment

Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry in employment (in any industry).

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Wage

Average wage of Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry employed full-time after training.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Growth

Predicted growth in employment in this overall industry over the next 5 years.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Size

The number of employees in this overall industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

Average wage of employees in this overall industry.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Availability Information

Spray Painter - AUR32420
NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Commencements 135 195 185 85 45 10 15 10
ASbA
Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)

A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occupations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Commencements

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 18/10/2023, rounded estimates for April 2022 to March 2023. This data is for general information purposes only.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA)

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases full-time or part-time ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit our Australian School-based Apprenticeships page for more detailed information.

Next Steps

Who to contact next ...

Search for an Apprenticeship Network provider or Group Training Organisation in your area to ask for more information about apprenticeships and traineeships.

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Where to ask wages questions ...

The Fair Work Ombudsman is the source of information on wages across industries and occupations. The FWO provides apprenticeship and traineeship specific information.

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Training provider and incentives information

Each state and territory lists Registered Training Organisations they approve to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships. Access these sites here, as well as information on incentives.

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