Automotive mechanic
Diagnose, service and repair cars and light commercial vehicles.
Registration: Motor-vehicle repair licence required in NSW, QLD and WA
Salary
Cited figures only: median full-time weekly earnings for the ANZSCO unit group Motor Mechanics (3212) from Your Career (Jobs and Skills Australia), and where available the QILT graduate starting salary for the matching study area.
| Figure | AUD | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median full-time weekly earnings | $1405 | Your Career (2026-09-23) |
Jobs, demand and who does this work
Figures for the ANZSCO occupation Motor Mechanic (General) (321211), the closest official match for automotive mechanic, from Your Career (Jobs and Skills Australia data, sourced 2026-09-23).
- People employed
- 79,300
- Future demand
- Stable
- Work full-time
- 85%
- Average full-time hours
- 43 a week
- Women
- 2%
- Median age
- 36
Where the jobs are (share of workers)
| NSW | 29.4% |
| VIC | 25.2% |
| QLD | 21.5% |
| WA | 12.2% |
| SA | 7.2% |
| TAS | 2.1% |
| ACT | 1.2% |
| NT | 1.2% |
Highest qualification held by workers
| Postgraduate qualification | 0.7% |
| Bachelor degree | 2.6% |
| Diploma or advanced diploma | 6.1% |
| Certificate I-IV | 68.5% |
| Year 12 | 9.4% |
| Below Year 12 | 10.1% |
What an automotive mechanic actually does
Automotive mechanics work in dealerships, independent workshops, mobile service units and fleet maintenance bases. A day starts at 7.30am or 8am with a list of bookings: log book services, brake jobs, battery and electrical complaints, diagnostic faults, and pre-purchase inspections. Modern cars are heavily electronic, so a fair share of the day goes to reading fault codes with a scan tool, running module updates and isolating intermittent faults. Dealership mechanics focus on a single brand and get manufacturer training. Independent shops cover everything that comes through the door. Mobile mechanics deal with breakdowns and basic services at customer homes or workplaces. Hours typically run 8 to 5 weekdays plus a half-day Saturday in many shops. Electric vehicles are reshaping the trade and many mechanics now have an EV high-voltage qualification.
Typical tasks
- Carry out logbook services.
- Diagnose engine and electrical faults using scan tools.
- Replace worn parts and test road-readiness.
Skills you'll use
- Engine and powertrain diagnosis on petrol and hybrid vehicles
- Reading scan tool data and freeze frames
- Brake, suspension and steering service work
- Cooling, fuel and emissions system repair
- Tyre pressure monitoring and wheel alignment
- Customer communication and writing quotes
- Workshop manual and wiring diagram literacy
How to become one
- 1Finish Year 10 or 12. A pre-apprenticeship Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation is useful if you have not yet found a host employer
- 2Find a host workshop or dealership and sign an apprenticeship agreement through an apprenticeship network provider
- 3Complete a 4-year Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR30620) at TAFE alongside paid on-job training
- 4Add EV certification (AURETH101 and AURETH102 hybrid and battery electric units) since most workshops now service hybrid and EV models
- 5In NSW, Queensland and WA, apply for a motor-vehicle repair business or tradesperson certificate through the state regulator
- 6Optional next steps include manufacturer-specific master technician programmes, Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis, or moving into service-manager work
Where you can work
- Independent suburban workshops
- Dealership service departments
- Mobile mechanic businesses
- Fleet management companies for utilities and government departments
- Logistics and rideshare fleet bases
- Rural and remote workshops
- Motorsport teams and high-performance shops
Career progression
Typical stages and roles. Years of experience are a rough guide; pay at each stage depends on the employer, award or agreement.
- Apprentice0-4 yearsTypical roles: First-year apprentice, Fourth-year apprentice
- Qualified mechanic4-8 yearsTypical roles: Light vehicle mechanic, Dealer-trained technician, Mobile mechanic
- Senior technician8-15 yearsTypical roles: Master technician, Workshop foreman, Diagnostic specialist
- Workshop owner or manager10+ yearsTypical roles: Workshop owner, Service manager, Dealership service advisor
Is this for you?
You might love this if
- You like diagnosing problems and figuring out what is wrong
- You enjoy working with your hands and getting greasy
- You are good with tools and patient with measurement
- You can deal politely with anxious customers
- You want a trade that translates internationally
This might not suit you if
- You dislike physical work in a workshop environment
- You have allergies that flare around oils, fuel or solvents
- You prefer work that does not involve direct customer contact
Three ways in
Uni, TAFE and trade routes for automotive mechanic. Not every career has all three; we only list pathways that actually lead to this occupation.
University
Bachelor degrees that lead to this career.
No direct undergraduate pathway. Consider postgraduate study after a related bachelor degree.
TAFE / VET
Nationally accredited Certificate and Diploma qualifications.
Apprenticeship trade
Earn while you learn through an Australian Apprenticeship.
Sources
ExamExplained does not publish predictive salary figures. For current Australian earnings data check Your Career (yourcareer.gov.au) directly. Career classifications follow the ABS ANZSCO 2022 release.