Painting needs no statutory licence in South Africa, so you can start trading once you have the skills, the kit and a registered business. The recognised qualification is the Occupational Certificate in Painting and Decorating (CETA and QCTO accredited, NQF Level 4), with a trade test at centres such as AITF or ETC. Build a roller, brush and spray kit, watch the lead-paint risk on older buildings, and price per square metre or per day as a market estimate.
How to register and get qualified
Painting is unlicensed, but a formal qualification helps you win builder and commercial repaint work.
- Qualification. The Occupational Certificate in Painting and Decorating (NQF Level 4) is accredited by CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) and the QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations). The usual admission is Grade 11 with Maths and Science plus three to four years of workplace experience.
- Trade test. A trade test runs at AITF or ETC, typically a four-week preparation course followed by a two-day test. Passing earns a Red Seal certificate from the QCTO, the national mark of a qualified artisan.
- Business registration. Register a sole proprietor or a Pty Ltd (private company) with the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission), get a SARS (South African Revenue Service) tax number, and register for COIDA (Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases) once you employ anyone. VAT (Value-Added Tax) registration is compulsory only once turnover passes R2.3 million in a 12-month period, the threshold from 1 April 2026; it is voluntary below that.
Kit and start-up costs
Painting is one of the cheapest trades to set up. Figures are approximate retail prices, so confirm before buying.
- Roller frames, extension poles and a range of brushes: about R2,000.
- Paint trays, masking tape and plastic sheeting: a per-job consumable, about R500 a job.
- Airless spray machine: hire at first (about R500 to R1,000 per day), then buy at R15,000 to R30,000 once established.
- Ladders, a 3 m and a 6 m: about R2,500.
- Sandpaper and sanding blocks: about R500 a job.
- Safety overalls, goggles and a P2 dust mask or other RPE (respiratory protective equipment): about R1,500.
- Drop cloths and general PPE: about R1,000.
A realistic launch kit lands at roughly R8,000 to R15,000. The airless sprayer is the one big-ticket item to hire until repeat spray work justifies owning one.
What you can charge (estimates)
No South African body publishes painter rates, and verified public data is limited, so the figures below are guidance estimates only. They vary by surface, prep, number of coats and province, so quote each job.
- Interior painting: roughly R30 to R60 per square metre, labour only, per coat.
- Exterior painting: roughly R40 to R80 per square metre, labour only, per coat.
- Day rate for an experienced painter: roughly R500 to R1,000 per day.
- A full three-bedroom house repaint, labour only: roughly R8,000 to R20,000.
If you take on workers, the national minimum wage is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, which sets the floor for their pay.
Lead paint and safety
South Africa does not have dedicated lead-paint legislation like the United Kingdom, but the OHS Act (Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993) and its regulations require hazard identification and a risk assessment for all construction work. Lead-based paints were phased out internationally by the early 1990s, so buildings put up before 1990 may still carry them. When sanding or stripping old paint on a pre-1990 building, use wet methods, wear RPE and PPE, and isolate the work area. Treat the OHS Act general duty of care as your standard here, since the specific lead rules are not codified the way they are in the UK or EU.
Common mistakes
- Skimping on prep. A repaint lives or dies on washing, sanding and priming; rushing it guarantees a callback.
- Buying a sprayer too soon. Hire the airless machine until repeat spray work clearly justifies the spend.
- Ignoring lead risk on old buildings. Dry-sanding pre-1990 paint without RPE and containment is a real health hazard, for you and the household.
- Quoting per house instead of per coat. Price the surface area and the number of coats so a two-coat job is not done for a one-coat fee.
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