Car painter in Australia
A car painter in Australia is usually paid by the hour, and the average rate for an automotive spray painter is about A$48 to A$55, depending on experience. Customers pay by job size: a single panel usually costs from about A$300 to A$1,200, and a complete respray of a full car runs from roughly A$3,000 to A$15,000. To find a painter who works in your city, create a request on BlaBlaPrice.
Approximate prices in Australia, November 2026 (published rates and sellers' websites)| Item | Typical price |
|---|
| Painter's average hourly pay | A$48 to A$55 per hour |
| Bumper scuff or scratch repair | A$300 to A$800 |
| Single panel respray (door or wing) | A$300 to A$1,200 |
| Complete respray, small to medium car in Brisbane | A$1,700 to A$3,600 |
Licences for a repair business
Licences depend on the state. In Western Australia, a motor vehicle repair business licence requires the applicant to be at least 18 and a fit and proper person of good character, and the business to have or employ at least one qualified person. Overseas vehicle painters who apply for a skills assessment pay a fee of A$795 for a paper-based application, so budget for it if you plan to hire from abroad.
Season and workshop time
Most respraying happens indoors under cover, so weather matters less than it does for outdoor work. Winter from June to August brings damp days that can slow a job when a car has to stand outside. Summer from December to February brings heat, so many shops start spray work early in the day. November is late spring, a good time to fill a role before the summer workload.
What to put in the request
Describe the duties, the pay (hourly or per job), the workplace, the schedule and the spray equipment you use. Say whether the role is for a smash repair shop or a dealership, and what experience you need, from prep work to finishing. Mention whether the employer provides the equipment. Give the city you are in, since a repair job cannot be done remotely.
On BlaBlaPrice, you describe what you need in plain words in the chat, and you can add photos of the damage or the workshop. BlaBlaPrice's AI asks for missing details, looks through sellers' websites and published rates in Australia, and shows the prices and businesses it found. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their own offer, and your contacts stay hidden until you decide whom to contact. For related trades, see panel beater and vehicle fitter.
Questions and answers
How much does a car painter earn per hour in Australia?
Automotive spray painters average about A$48 to A$55 an hour, depending on experience and the employer.
How much does a car respray cost?
A single panel usually costs A$300 to A$1,200, and a complete respray of a full car runs from roughly A$3,000 to A$15,000. In Brisbane, a small to medium car is quoted from about A$1,700 to A$3,600.
Does a repair business need a licence in Western Australia?
Yes, a motor vehicle repair business licence. The applicant must be at least 18 and a fit and proper person, and the business must have or employ at least one qualified person.
What should a respray quote include?
The panels to be painted, the paint quality and the preparation work. These decide where the price falls within the ranges above.
