Painter (Visual Arts)

A painter creates original two and three-dimensional artworks using paint, pigment, and related media on canvas, board, wall surfaces, or other substrates. They develop conceptual ideas, select materials and techniques appropriate to their artistic vision, and produce finished works for exhibition, commission, or sale in galleries, studios, public spaces, or private collections.

Develop conceptual frameworks and thematic directions for body of work or individual commissions. Select and prepare painting surfaces such as canvas, linen, panel, or prepared paper according to intended technique. Mix pigments, binders, and solvents to achieve desired colour, consistency, and working properties. Apply paint using brushes, palette knives, rollers, or other applicators to build up layers and achieve compositional and tonal effects. Research and source archival or conservation-grade materials to ensure durability and longevity of finished works. Document work in progress through photography or digital imaging for portfolio, exhibition, or grant documentation purposes. Engage with art theory, contemporary practice, and historical movements to contextualise and refine artistic practice. Prepare works for exhibition by stretching canvas, framing, varnishing, or applying final protective coatings.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Income is unpredictable and often low, especially in your first 5 to 10 years. Most painters cobble together money from part-time teaching, gallery commissions, grants, and day jobs. Few earn a living wage solely from selling paintings. You'll also face constant rejection from galleries and competitions, and art market success depends partly on networking and luck, not just talent.

Regional Australia has fewer galleries and commissions. Some painters work remotely and exhibit online, but they still need to travel to major cities for openings and art fairs to build their reputation and sell work.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2114, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskillingcore
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivitycore
• Digital Literacycore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Community Development
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
• Inclusive Practice
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Negotiation
• Record Management

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026