How to become an Industrial Spray Painter

Operates spray painting equipment to paint and apply other industrial coatings to manufactured items.

Main tasks

• Prepares surfaces for painting by cleaning, sanding and masking
• Mixes and prepares paint colours to achieve desired results
• Sets up and operates spray painting equipment, ensuring proper pressure and nozzle settings
• Applies paint and other coatings to manufactured items using spray guns or other application methods
• Monitors and adjusts paint flow, coverage and thickness to achieve desired finish
• Inspects painted items for defects and touches up as necessary

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Surface Preparation and Coating Application (MSM30216); Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology (AUR32420); Certificate III in Furniture Finishing (MSF30122); Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30620); Certificate III in Aircraft Surface Finishing (MEA30118); Certificate II in Aircraft Surface Finishing (MEA20622)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 6,300 people work in this job group now, and about 6,600 are projected by 2035. (+5.8%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Sandblaster
• Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker
• Paper and Pulp Production Operator
• Timber and Wood Production Operator
• Plastics Fabricator or Welder
• Plastics Production Machine Operator

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Industrial Spray Painter?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Surface Preparation and Coating Application; Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology.

Is an Industrial Spray Painter a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 6,300 to about 6,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Industrial Spray Painter?

Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Surface Preparation and Coating Application; Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology.

Will AI change the work of an Industrial Spray Painter?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04