Start your career in painting
with Higgins
Paint Your Future: How to kickstart your career in painting
Learn from those who’ve done it before in our Facebook Live events!
From the Brush to Branch Management
Want to know where you could go with a career in painting? We had a chat with Brendan Childs about his journey from painter to Branch Manager of Higgins Coatings Perth.
Watch it now to learn how you can grow and thrive across a lifetime in the painting industry.
Women in Painting
More and more women are taking up painting careers in Australia, further contributing to the strong and vibrant trade industry.
We had a conversation with Donagh Freestun, our Cairns Branch Manager, about what it’s been like to carve out a career for herself in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
A day in the life of a painting apprentice
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a painting apprentice? Watch our webinar with Brenton Carter, Master Painters Association SA’s 2020 Apprentice of the Year, to find out.
Brenton talks about why he decided to pursue a career in painting, how Higgins has helped him develop his skills and his top tips for other young people interested in starting a painting apprenticeship.
Brendan Childs
Perth Branch Manager
"I never thought I'd progress from a painter to a Branch Manager. But the senior management team have provided me with a career plan tailored to my skillset and including mentoring by other individuals in the business."
Donagh Freestun
Cairns Branch Manager
"My favourite thing about working at Higgins is the people. My advice for anyone who’d like to join the industry is if you’re passionate about it, come and do it. You’re joining a great company if you come to Higgins."
Why work with Higgins
Opportunities across Australia
With over 24 branches (and growing) throughout Australia and a team of over 1,200 employees and subcontractors working across project sites and Head Office roles, there are always opportunities to develop your painting career with us - Australia’s largest family-owned commercial painting company.
One of the many things employees love about working with us is that no two days are ever the same. Our industry offers our people the opportunity to work across a variety of projects and gain a wealth of experience. From working on the Voyages Resort at Uluru, to repainting passenger ships out at sea, to working on the high-rise buildings that characterise our Australian cities, we give you the exciting opportunity to apply technical and teamwork skills that bring out your best.
We’re all-in when it comes to helping you launch your career in painting!
Specialised training and development
We provide our employees with detailed induction and ongoing training for all roles. We also support our employees to design and implement an individual development plan in order to grow and achieve their goals. We do this in practice through the learning principle that 70% of our learning is on the job, 20% is by having meaningful conversations, and 10% is through workshops and external training courses.
Tailored career progression
At Higgins, we believe in building up our people and promoting from within wherever possible. There are a number of career pathways available to our employees, from operations and administration to sales and management. Regardless of your role, your career progression starts from the moment you join our team, with the full support and encouragement of your colleagues and leaders. Our approach prioritises supporting your personal and professional development through on-the-job learning experiences, as well as ongoing access to growth and development programs, tools and resources. Our well-defined career ladder takes the guesswork out of your progression.
Make a difference in your community
We’re a family-run business with a rich history of giving. For 70 years we’ve been striving to create long-lasting value for our community. We are, after all, a part of these communities as they are a part of us at Higgins. From industry partnerships with Positive Education School Association to the Association of School Business Administrators, we love to help. We also provide ongoing support for many charities including Camp Quality, Blue Tree Project, and OzHarvest.
We’re proud to be actively involved in local community organisations across the country that have a meaningful impact on the lives of many - and you can be a part of it too!
Our values
Commitment
- Be accountable
- Take responsibility for our actions
- Welcome feedback from colleagues
- It's OK to speak up when something doesn't look right
Unity
- Treat each other with respect
- Listen to and accept the ideas of others
- Feel safe asking tough questions
- Recognise and reward individual and team effort
Excellence
- Look for continuous improvement of processes
- Communicate early
- Set and agree on expectations
- Deliver on your word
Safety
- Follow our safety procedures
- Speak up and deal with safety issues as they arise
- Take the time to help each other out
Andrew Puskaric
I.T. Service Delivery Analyst
"As a former employee, I tried to broaden my horizons, but you won’t find a better organisation than Higgins. Their flexibility was a driving factor for my return, with my time split in the office and working from home in regional Victoria."
Ike Titan
Foreman
"Being such a large company, it's great that everyone puts the time in to get to know each other. From the painters, right through to the office staff, nobody is a stranger, which creates a great work environment."
Life at Higgins
We have continued our partnership with Australia’s leading food-rescue organisation OzHarvest by participating in their Cooking for a Cause classes in Melbourne and...Read more
Higgins Coatings recently received re-accreditation with a tri-certification across ISO standards, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to safety, quality, and the...Read more
In 2023, we launched our Employee Swap Program in partnership with international painting contractors Heinrich Schmid and Bell Group. The initiative sends painters...Read more
Perks of the job
Chairman’s club
Our highest Sales and Operations performers of each financial year will enjoy a 3-day conference with their colleagues - swimming, sailing, snorkelling, golfing, wining & dining at an iconic Australian destination.
'Family' lunch
Our employees are an extension of the Higgins family. Every week our branches host a lunch where employees are invited to enjoy a meal together and socialise.
Work anniversaries
Your experience and hard work matter to us, and we like to recognise the contribution and commitment of our employees. Every five years Higgins has a special celebration and monetary award aligned with your length of service.
Employee Referral Program
Higgins Coatings offers cash incentive to any employee for referring external candidates who are successfully selected for a permanent position.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program is a free and confidential counselling service for all employees and their immediate family, providing support on a range of personal and work-related issues.
‘My Shout’ Rewards Program
We’ve created a culture of reward and recognition through our ‘My-Shout’ program. We celebrate your success whether you’re out on site or in the office, and reward you with access to instant discounts, e-gift cards, exclusive partnerships and more!
Expression of interest
Interested in starting your career in painting with us – check out our current vacancies. If none are suited to your skillset, leave an expression of interest and our team can reach out to you when something becomes available. We’re always looking to grow the family at Higgins!