Painting is not a separately licensed trade in Victoria the way plumbing and electrical work are. That surprises a lot of homeowners, and it leads to a reasonable question: if anyone can call themselves a painter, what can you actually check before handing over a deposit?
The answer is that there is a good deal to verify, it is just that the requirements sit in building registration and contract law rather than in a trade licence. Here is what applies and how to confirm it.
Registration: when a painter must be registered
In Victoria, domestic building work above a set contract value must be carried out by a practitioner registered with the Victorian Building Authority. The relevant category for painting work is a Domestic Builder (Limited) registration covering painting and decorating.
The threshold has historically sat at $10,000 for domestic building work, with a written major domestic building contract required at that point. Thresholds are adjusted from time to time, so confirm the current figure with the Victorian Building Authority or Consumer Affairs Victoria before relying on it.
What this means in practice:
- A small interior job well under the threshold does not require the painter to hold registration.
- A full house repaint will usually exceed it, and registration becomes relevant.
- Commercial work sits under different arrangements again.
You can check whether a practitioner is registered through the Victorian Building Authority's public practitioner search, using their name or registration number.
Domestic building insurance
Separately from registration, domestic building work above a higher threshold requires Domestic Building Insurance, sometimes called builder's warranty insurance. This protects you if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent and the work is left incomplete or defective.
The threshold for this has historically been $16,000. Again, verify the current figure rather than assuming.
If your job is above the threshold, you should receive a certificate of insurance in your own name before you pay a deposit. No certificate, no deposit.
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is not mandated by legislation for painters, but every legitimate operator carries it. It covers damage to your property and injury to third parties arising from the work.
Ask for a certificate of currency, not a verbal assurance. The certificate names the insurer, the policy number, the amount of cover and the expiry date. Check the expiry date actually covers your job, and check the business name on the certificate matches the business quoting you. A mismatch between the two is worth asking about.
Cover of $10 million or more is standard for residential and commercial work.
Workers compensation
If the painter has employees rather than working alone, they must hold a WorkSafe Victoria workers compensation policy. This matters to you because an uninsured worker injured on your property can become your problem.
For jobs involving work at height, such as a double-storey exterior, also ask whether a Safe Work Method Statement will be prepared. High-risk construction work requires one.
ABN and business identity
Check the ABN on the quote against the free ABN Lookup register at abr.business.gov.au. It takes thirty seconds and tells you:
- Whether the ABN is active
- The registered entity name
- How long it has been registered
- Whether the business is registered for GST
A very recently registered ABN is not automatically a problem, but combined with no fixed address, no insurance certificate and pressure for a large cash deposit, it is a pattern worth stepping back from.
What your contract must contain
For domestic building work above the contract threshold, a major domestic building contract is required under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995. It must be in writing and must include:
- The names and registration details of the parties
- A detailed description of the work
- The contract price
- The start date and the completion date or period
- The deposit amount and the payment schedule
- The warranties implied by the Act
You also have a cooling-off period of five business days after receiving a signed copy, during which you can withdraw. This is a legal entitlement, not a courtesy.
Deposit limits
The Act caps deposits on domestic building contracts. As a general rule the deposit is limited to 10 per cent where the contract price is under $20,000, and 5 per cent at or above that figure. A painter asking for 50 per cent upfront on a major domestic job is outside the normal arrangement, and that is a legitimate thing to question.
A practical checklist before you sign
| What to check | How to check it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| VBA registration | VBA practitioner search | Required for domestic building work above the threshold |
| Domestic building insurance | Certificate in your name before deposit | Protects you if the business fails mid-job |
| Public liability | Certificate of currency | Covers damage to your property |
| Workers compensation | Ask directly if they have staff | Injured uninsured workers become your exposure |
| ABN | ABN Lookup | Confirms the business exists and trades under that name |
| Written contract | Read it before signing | Triggers your statutory warranties and cooling-off rights |
| Deposit amount | Compare against the statutory cap | Large upfront payments are the main source of loss |
If something goes wrong
If a dispute arises, Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria offers free conciliation for domestic building disputes and is the usual first step. Consumer Affairs Victoria handles broader consumer complaints, and VCAT hears matters that are not resolved.
Keep the quote, the contract, the insurance certificates, all written communication and dated photographs of the work. Disputes are resolved on documents, and the party with records is in a far stronger position.
Hiring Expert Painting and Renovation
Expert Painting and Renovation is a family-run, Aussie-local company based in Richmond with more than 9 years of experience across Melbourne homes and businesses. We are happy to provide our ABN, insurance details and a written, itemised quote before you commit to anything, and we would encourage you to ask the same of anyone else you are considering.
Our work spans house painting, interior and exterior painting, commercial painting, plastering and rendering. If you want help reading a quote you have been given, our guide to comparing painting quotes goes through it line by line.
FAQ
Do painters need a licence in Victoria? There is no standalone painter's licence in Victoria. Registration with the Victorian Building Authority as a Domestic Builder (Limited) is required for domestic building work above the contract threshold.
What happens if I hire an unregistered painter for a large job? You may lose access to domestic building insurance and some statutory protections, which leaves you exposed if the work is defective or abandoned.
Is a verbal quote enough? No. For anything above the contract threshold a written major domestic building contract is required, and even below it a written itemised quote protects both parties.
Can I pay cash to save money? A cash price with no invoice, no contract and no GST usually also means no insurance cover and no recourse. The saving is rarely worth the exposure.
How do I check a painter's insurance is real? Ask for the certificate of currency and, if you want certainty, call the insurer named on it and quote the policy number.
About Expert Painting & Renovation
Expert Painting and Renovation is an Aussie-local, family-run company based in Richmond, Melbourne, with more than 9 years of experience in residential and commercial painting and renovation. Our specialists deliver premium workmanship, timely service and durable finishes designed for Melbourne homes.
- Ceiling crack repairs
- Sagging ceiling restoration
- Water‑damaged ceiling repairs
- Cornice replacement
- Full plastering services
- Interior & exterior painting
- Weatherboard restoration
- Deck & timber maintenance
- Roof painting
- Rendering & texture coating
- Commercial Painting
- Plastering Services
- House Painting
Whether you need maintenance advice, a single-room refresh or a full home makeover, our team is just a call away.
đź“Ť Our Service Areas Across Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Surf Coast & Phillip Island
Melbourne & Bayside
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Richmond
- Expert Painting and Renovation in St Kilda
- Expert Painting and Renovation in South Yarra
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Malvern
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Hawthorn
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Kew
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Balwyn
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Mount Waverley
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Ringwood
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Doncaster
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Hampton
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Frankston
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Mount Eliza
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Mornington
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Mount Martha
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Rosebud
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Sorrento
Phillip Island & Bass Coast
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Flinders
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Somers
- Expert Painting and Renovation in San Remo
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Cape Woolamai
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Cowes
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Coronet Bay
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Tootgarook
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Rye
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Blairgowrie
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Portsea
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Inverloch
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Kilcunda
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Ventnor
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Newhaven
Surf Coast & Bellarine Peninsula
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Geelong
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Torquay
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Ocean Grove
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Barwon Heads
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Anglesea
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Lorne
- Expert Painting and Renovation in Apollo Bay
