Vehicle Painters
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Vehicle Painters prepare surfaces of vehicles, match and mix colours and apply paint.
Also known as: Vehicle Refinisher.
A certificate III in automotive refinishing technology or a related vehicle painting course is usually needed to work as a Vehicle Painter. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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removing rough spots on vehicle panels
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sanding surfaces by hand and with power sanders
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masking areas not to be painted with tape and paper
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colour matching and mixing paints to match paint shades, and selecting pre-mixed paint
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applying primer and finishing coats using spray-guns, and sanding surfaces between coats
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touching up paintwork and applying polish to vehicles
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removing masking papers, and waxing and polishing finished paintwork
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painting signs and artwork on vehicles
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treating vehicles with rust-proofing chemicals
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
-
Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 7,000 |
2012 | 9,100 |
2013 | 10,600 |
2014 | 7,300 |
2015 | 14,400 |
2016 | 10,400 |
2017 | 13,900 |
2018 | 9,700 |
2019 | 9,900 |
2020 | 9,700 |
2021 | 15,400 |
2026 | 15,900 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 91% of people employed as Vehicle Painters work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 25 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,553 per week, this is similar to weekly earnings for all jobs ($1,593).
Median hourly earnings are $39, this is similar to the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Vehicle Painters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,553 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Vehicle Painters work in the Other services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Vehicle Painters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 26.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.1 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 42% of Vehicle Painters live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Vehicle Painters is 36 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 2% of the workforce. This is 46 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Vehicle Painters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 13.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 27.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.3 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 19.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 36 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A certificate III in automotive refinishing technology or a related vehicle painting course is usually needed to work as a Vehicle Painter. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Automotive Retail, Service and Repair VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Vehicle Painters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 1.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 1.7 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 73.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 8.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 4.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 12.1 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Vehicle Painters who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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34%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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32%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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30%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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30%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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27%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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25%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
45%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
41%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
33%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
33%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
32%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
31%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
30%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
28%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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22%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
20%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
19%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
19%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
16%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
15%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
15%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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14%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
14%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
11%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
-
10%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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9%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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64%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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46%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
45%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
43%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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36%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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36%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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34%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
32%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
83%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
70%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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69%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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68%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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65%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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63%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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62%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
61%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
61%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
57%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
57%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
55%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
55%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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55%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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53%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
52%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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51%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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48%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
45%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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41%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
48%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
48%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
19%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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71%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
57%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
52%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
48%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
29%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
100%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
98%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
98%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
97%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
96%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
93%
Wear specialized protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection.
-
91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
91%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
89%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
87%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
86%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
85%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
85%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
84%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
83%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
82%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
81%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
77%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
75%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
72%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-9122.00 - Painters, Transportation Equipment.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.