Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

Can anyone help?
Myself and the girlfriend have now been in Perth for a year and loving it, however I was a self employed painter and decorator in the UK but decided to try something different for a change when we arrived in Perth,unfortunately this hasn't really worked out so i'm looking at returning back to what I do best.
Now here is my problem...A friend has told me that to trade as a P&D you need a licence (in WA) but not in other states and have to return to college,i'm forty years old and don't really relish the idea of going back to school all that lumpy custard and homework ha ha only joking,if anyone out there could confirm this for me I would be grateful,cheers Shaun.:fingerscrossed:

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

According to the Consumer Protection website in WA your have be registered with the Painters Registration Board to carry out any work over $200 [which is bugger-all]. Interestingly though these rules only apply over the south-west area not the whole of WA.

From reading their website it does look like you can apply for a licence after undergoing a trade test and a course and there may be a path for assessment only.

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

Yes, you need to register, but there seems to be several options for you to do that, read: http://www.painters.wa.gov.au/default.aspx?MenuID=122

When we've had painting done, the owner of the painting business has been a registered painter, but he employs painters who are aren't registered to do the work for him. The registered painter who owns the business is liable for any disputes or unsatisfactory work. So, if you don't want to register yourself, you could probably find work for someone else - but you will have none of the advantages of owning your own business and controlling your destiny;). Some areas with older (eg Federation) homes have lots of fancy details on ceilings and walls and I would imagine that there would be good money earnt there. Some builders specialise in that kind of work, others concentrate on renovating homes 15-30 years old. There is also work on new homes, but again, unless you are the registered painter, you're earning profit for him/her.

Another way to look for work is to be more of a handyman, eg maintenance work through real estate agents, or through interior designers. We often get leaflets in the letterbox advertising for handyman-type services, but presumably you wouldn't be able to able to call yourself a painter unless you register.

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

Thanks to both of you for your replies and links which is really useful.

Cheers Shaun

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

so why cant you work for someone else?

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

And more importantly why can't I get a painter to come out and quote for the painting of my house? We've been here 15 months and it's still mostly unpainted inside!

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

How did you find getting a visa to get into oz.I am a painter myself and thinking about moving there.I am also self employed and just been working for myself here in uk for past 6 yrs and for someone before that.
The problem is i don't have anything on paper to say what i can do skill wise,so i might struggle to get a visa.I am still in the early stages.If you could shed on any light on it would be really good. thanks for now.

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

Hi, I have just read the above and was just wondering how things have gone for you. My husband is a Painter and Decorator and we are coming over to Perth end of Jan to open our Visa and to be honest we don't hear a lot about Painter and Decorators so cannot get an idea of what the work situation is out there. My husband has always worked for himself over here but is happy to work for someone in Perth to get used to working out there but we have not a clue at to the amount he can earn etc...

Would be good to hear your experiences after xmas. Have a good one down under.
Tracey :)

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

Thing is for me anyway its something that you can do for yourself so why pay someone to do it foryou ?? & I do know how to do it properly as some would not even if you payed them which gives the good ones reprutations the problems.

Re: Painter & Decorator Perth WA
 

Why not do it myself? Because I work all day and don't want to come home to paint my house. My job is to be a secretary. My husband is an engineer. Some people's jobs are to paint, so I prefer to pay them.