Automotive Electrician
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$130,700
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Installs, maintains and repairs electrical wiring and electronic components in motor vehicles.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Inspects vehicles to identify electrical and electronic faults
- Tests electrical systems and components to determine the cause of malfunctions in vehicles
- Maintains, repairs or replaces faulty wiring, switches and other electrical components in vehicles to ensure optimal performance
- Installs new electrical systems and components in vehicles
- Uses diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot complex electrical issues with vehicles
- Reads and interprets electrical diagrams and technical manuals relating to vehicles
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Service and Repair
Progression pathway
Diploma of Automotive Technology
Specialised training
Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Automotive Electrical Technology
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
100
ACT · May 2026
2
VIC · May 2026
51
NT · May 2026
5
SA · May 2026
18
NSW · May 2026
77
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+3%
341 projected jobs
to 2035
+8%
815 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Automotive Electrician.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - South East
873 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - South East
873 employed
WA
+16.71%
year on year
- 2
Perth - North West
738 employed
WA
+14.95%
year on year
- 3
Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
694 employed
QLD
+0.14%
year on year
- 4
Hunter Valley exc Newcastle
536 employed
NSW
+18.85%
year on year
- 5
Central Queensland
507 employed
QLD
+20.14%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
8,380
Moved in from another occupation
975
Moved to another occupation
625
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 351231
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.