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ANZSCO 3211Skill level 3Engineering and trades

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 from Job Outlook and QILT. ExamExplained does not publish predictive earnings or projections.

FigureAUDSource
Full-time weekly earnings$1450Job Outlook (2025-06-01)

How far does this stretch in each city?

What a 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

  1. 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
  2. 2Find a host workshop or dealership and sign an apprenticeship agreement through an apprenticeship network provider
  3. 3Complete a 4-year Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR30620) at TAFE alongside paid on-job training
  4. 4Add EV certification (AURETH101 and AURETH102 hybrid and battery electric units) since most workshops now service hybrid and EV models
  5. 5In NSW, Queensland and WA, apply for a motor-vehicle repair business or tradesperson certificate through the state regulator
  6. 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 salary bands. Salary figures are sourced from Job Outlook, QILT or industry bodies; brackets are 25th-75th percentile not absolute floors or ceilings.

  1. Apprentice
    0-4 years
    Typical roles: First-year apprentice, Fourth-year apprentice
    Salary band: $28,000 - $55,000 per year (source, sourced 2026-05-21)
  2. Qualified mechanic
    4-8 years
    Typical roles: Light vehicle mechanic, Dealer-trained technician, Mobile mechanic
    Salary band: $65,000 - $90,000 per year (source, sourced 2026-05-21)
  3. Senior technician
    8-15 years
    Typical roles: Master technician, Workshop foreman, Diagnostic specialist
    Salary band: $85,000 - $120,000 per year (source, sourced 2026-05-21)
  4. Workshop owner or manager
    10+ years
    Typical 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 Job Outlook directly. Career classifications follow the ABS ANZSCO 2022 release.