ANZSCO 3322-11Northern Territory
Painting Trades WorkerSeptember 2017
Labour Economics Office Northern Territory
Department of Jobs and Small Business
Current labour market ratingRegional Shortage
Previous labour market rating (September 2016)Recruitment Difficulty
Comments
The survey showed a low number of qualified applicants responded to painting trades worker vacancies, with no qualified applicants for regional vacancies. Employers were willing to engage unqualified applicants who had the relevant work experience and could demonstrate quality workmanship.
Survey results[1]
- There were few advertised vacancies for painting trades workers in the survey period and the survey was complemented by cold canvassing employers in the trade.
- The survey showed that overall employers were able to fill 76 per cent of vacancies, compared to 71 per cent in 2016.
- Employers in the metropolitan area filled 88 per cent of their vacancies compared to employers in regional areas which filled 40 per cent of their vacancies.
- Overall, employers attracted 2.3 applicants per vacancy (2.6 in metropolitan and 1.4 in regional).
- Sixty-four per cent of applicants were qualified and applied for the metropolitan vacancies. There were no qualified applicants for the regional vacancies.
- While all employers sought qualified painters, a majority of employers were willing to compromise on qualifications, if the applicant could demonstrate skills and experience during a 1-2 week trial period.
- Most employers were hiring unqualified painters and backpackers on working holiday visas to meet short term business needs.
Unsuitable applicants
- All unsuitable applicants were considered by employers to be lacking relevant work experience and could not demonstrate quality workmanship during a work trial.
Demand and supply trends
- The number of people employed as Painting Trades Workers in the Northern Territory has increased over the year to August 2017.[2] However, Department of Jobs and Small Businessoccupation projections show growth of only 1.7 per cent nationally over the five years to May 2022. [3]
- Total construction activity has fallen with the value of work done down by 22.6 per cent over the year to September 2017.[4] The decline was stronger in the residential sector (down by 27.5 per cent) than in the non-residential sector (down by 13.9 per cent).[5]
- The Department of Jobs and Small Business Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) shows the number of online vacancies for Painting Trades Workers fell slightly in the 12 months to August 2017 compared with the previous 12 months.[6]
- The pathway to becoming a painting trades worker is through an apprenticeship incorporating a Certificate III in in Painting and Decorating, which is not currently being delivered by a local registered training organization in the Northern Territory.[7]
- The number of apprenticeships in this occupation is very low, averaging approximately three commencements per annum over the five years to March 2017, down from an average of 6 per annum in the five years to March 2012. Similarly, completions of apprenticeships are low but are relatively stable over the five years to March 2017, averaging 3 apprenticeships completing each year.[8]
Other indicators and issues
- In the 2017 – 2018 Budget, the Northern Territory Government identified key initiatives which may add demand for painting trades workers:
- $106 million for remote housing. This is part of the Northern Territory Government commitment of $1.1 billion over 10 years for a Remote Housing Infrastructure Investment Package.
- $250 million over two years in economic stimulus package and $100 million for the Darwin CBD rejuvenation project. These commitments are part of the Northern Territory Governments overall $1.75 billion investment for infrastructure investment.[9]
- In the medium term, Defence infrastructure committed projects based in the Northern Territory are projected to be worth at least $1 billion, including: Air 5431 Facilities Project – Australian Defence Force Air Traffic Control Complex Infrastructure Project at RAAF Base Darwin and Tindal and redevelopment of Larrakeyah Barracks and MHAS Coonawarra. [10]
Labour Economics Office Northern Territory
Department of Jobs and Small Business
[1] The methodology underpinning this research is outlined at Skill Shortage Research Methodology | Department of Jobs and Small Business - Document library, Australian Governmentand can also be accessed by the QR code.
[2] ABS, Labour Force Australia, August 2017, Department of Employment
[3]Department of Jobs and Small Business, Occupational Employment Projections to May 2022
[4]ABS, Building Activity Australia, September 2017, Cat 8752.0, Value of Building Work Done, Trend Data
[5]ABS, Building Activity Australia, September 2017, Cat 8752.0, Value of Building Work Done, 4 quarter average of original data.
[6] Department of Jobs and Small Business, Internet Vacancy Index data, August 2017, 12 month moving average.
[7]MySkills website
[8] National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Apprentices and Trainees, March 2017, estimates (limited to certificate III)
[9] Northern Territory Government 2017-18, Budget Overview (
[10] Northern Territory Government 2017-18, Budget Overview; andICN Gateway.