Study automotive courses in Australia to drive your career in the right direction

Automotive courses offer a solid career that’s in demand and can lead to permanent residency in Australia.

If you want a job that allows you to work with your hands, assures you of future employment and lets you gain PR in Australia, then a motor mechanic qualification gets you there.

A mechanic learns how to diagnose faults, repair, carry out maintenance and test a range of small to medium vehicles. This career utilises a broad skill set, from mechanical work to electronic and car computer repairs and maintenance. There are a range of specialisations to consider too, such as:

• general mechanic
• brake mechanic
• roadside mechanic
• motorcycle or small engine mechanic
• car air conditioning mechanic
• automatic transmission mechanic
• diesel motor mechanic.

Follow the pathway below to get qualified and get employed in a growing, changing industry.

1. Enrol in an automotive repair course

In order to be able to work in this role in Australia, you need to gain the correct qualification. There are four pathways:

• Three years relevant job experience
• Diploma of Automotive Management

• AQF Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology plus at least two years of training on the job, or,
• AQF Certificate IV

Once you’ve graduated and completed all relevant work experience, you need to start the job hunt.

2. Apply for a temporary work visa

A 485 Graduate Visa is a temporary visa that allows recent graduates to stay in Australia while looking for employment in their field. This visa is only for 18 months, but you can live, study and work while you find suitable employment in your new qualified role.

3. Complete a skills assessment

Contact Trade Recognition Australia and complete their four-step Job Ready Program. This is compulsory for all international students wanting to gain employment as a mechanic in Australia. To qualify for the Job Ready Program, you must:

• Have studied in Australia to become a mechanic
• Prove the role is on the medium to long term strategic skills shortage list
• Be eligible for, already have, the 485 Graduate Visa
• Have finished 360 hours of vocational placement and working as a mechanic in Australia.

Once you apply, you’ll be asked to complete a provisional skills assessment which costs AU$300, and provide proof of an IELTS score of at least six. Once you’ve passed these first hurdles, you can apply for jobs.

4. Get employed

Now you can find relevant employment. There are regional roles available in Australia for mechanics, so you may need to look outside the big cities.

Once you’ve gained employment, you need to complete 12 months of employment (1725 hours) as a mechanic. You need to verify your employment with Trade Recognition, which costs AU$500.

After six months, you are expected to apply for a workplace assessment. Your skills are evaluated by a Trade Recognition assessor, and completing the assessment successfully confirms your skills are at the level required for employment in Australia. This workplace assessment costs AU$2000.

Once 12 months of employment are complete, you’ll need to sit a final assessment. Once that’s complete and you’ve passed, you can then apply for your permanent visa. This workplace assessment costs $150.

5. Decide on your visa type

You can apply for:

• 494 Provisional Visa, Regional skilled employer sponsored
• 189 Permanent Visa, Skilled independent
• 190 Permanent Visa, State sponsored
  • QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, NT, TAS and ACT have mechanics listed on their skills shortage list
• 491 Provisional Visa, Regional skilled work
  • QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, NT, TAS and ACT have mechanics listed on their skills shortage list
• 482 Temporary Visa, TSS-MLTSSL

These visas are points tested, so check out how you can maximise your points and increase your visa application strength. Points are allocated for things like English skills, employment experience, and if you have dependents.

Career outlook for motor mechanics in Australia

The employment rate for mechanics in Australia are high, with more than 90% of qualified mechanics having full time employment. The industry is growing and changing as technology changes and vehicles become increasingly modern. Electric vehicles and even self-drive technology are advancing, making electrical mechanics highly in demand. It’s a career option that gets you to where you want to be in life.

Where can you study in Australia?

A range of TAFE institutes offer the AQF Certificate III needed for this role. This course is one to two years long and requires work placement. All TAFEs require English proficiency, and some basic entry requirements equivalent to the Australian Year 12 education level.

• Menzies Institute of Technology
• Melbourne Polytechnic
• Gordon Institute of TAFE
• Kangan Institute
• TAFE Victoria, Box Hill Institute
• Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
• Baxter Institute
• Chisholm Institute of TAFE

If you don’t know the best qualification for you, or you’re not sure which TAFE to apply to, there are agencies that can help you find out which automotive course to study and which TAFE will best suit your needs.