Can I paint my own house in Australia? Licences, lead and strata rules
Short answer
Yes. In every Australian state you can paint your own home yourself without a licence. Painting licences apply to people you pay: in NSW a licence is needed for painting contracts over $5,000 (stand-alone internal painting has been exempt since 2015), and in Queensland for work over $3,300. Before you start, check for lead paint if your home was built before 1970, don't sand old textured ceilings or fibro, and check strata by-laws or heritage rules before painting the outside.
Painting is the most popular DIY job in Australian homes, and the good news is the law is on your side. Search for this question and you’ll mostly find painting companies explaining their licences. Here’s the answer for homeowners.
Do you need a licence to paint your own home?
No. Painting licences apply to contractors: people you pay to do the work. Painting your own home yourself needs no licence in any state.
| State | When a painter you hire needs a licence |
|---|---|
| NSW | Painting contracts over $5,000 including GST (labour and materials). Stand-alone internal painting doesn’t need a licence since 2015, unless it’s part of other building work |
| QLD | Painting and decorating work over $3,300 needs a QBCC licence |
If you’re hiring, these thresholds are worth knowing: a painter quoting over the threshold must hold a licence, and you can check it on the regulator’s licence search. If painting is part of a bigger renovation, owner-builder rules can apply to the whole project, so check before you start.
Check for lead paint first (homes built before 1970)
Before 1970, paint with high levels of lead was used in many Australian houses, and older layers can still be under newer paint. Lead dust from sanding or scraping is harmful, especially to young children and pregnant women.
- Test painted surfaces with a lead test kit from a hardware store.
- Don’t dry sand, or use heat guns or open flames, on lead paint. Use wet scraping and wet sanding.
- Contain the mess: plastic sheeting underneath, windows and doors closed, kids and pets out of the area, and a careful clean-up.
- Read the federal government’s Lead Alert: six step guide to painting your home (linked from the DCCEEW page below) before you start.
Don’t sand old ceilings or fibro
Textured (“popcorn”) ceilings, fibro sheeting and some older materials can contain asbestos, especially in homes built before 1990. Painting over sound surfaces is generally fine. Sanding, scraping or drilling them isn’t. If you’re unsure, get it tested before you prepare the surface.
Outside the house: strata and heritage
- Apartments and townhouses: exterior walls, balconies and front doors are often common property. Strata by-laws can control colours or need committee approval.
- Heritage areas: some councils control exterior colours on heritage-listed homes or in heritage conservation areas. Check your property’s planning certificate or ask the council before changing a facade colour.
- Working at height: second-storey walls, eaves and roofs are where DIY painting injuries happen. Use a proper scaffold or hire a painter for high work.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need council approval to paint my house? Usually not. The exceptions are some heritage-listed homes or heritage areas, where exterior colour changes can need approval, and strata buildings, where by-laws can apply.
Can I paint my rental? Only with your landlord’s written permission. Painting is usually treated as a change to the property, and you may need to restore it when you leave.
How do I know if my paint has lead in it? If your home was built before 1970, assume older layers might. A hardware store test kit gives a quick answer, or use a lab test for certainty.
Is it worth hiring a painter? For ceilings, high walls, exteriors and anything in a pre-1970 home that needs heavy prep, often yes. For bedrooms and living areas, DIY saves the most money.
Sources
Every rule on this page is taken from these official sources. If a rule has changed, please tell us and we’ll fix it.
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ between states, councils and individual properties, and they change. Confirm with your state regulator or council before starting work, and if in doubt, get a licensed tradesperson.