Automotive Technician (General)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$81,200
Full-time annual
People employed
79,300
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Maintains, tests and repairs petrol engines and the mechanical parts of lightweight motor vehicles, such as transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
Alternative titles
Light Vehicle Mechanic · Motor Mechanic (General)
Specialisations
Scope note: Electric Vehicle Technicians and Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitters are excluded from this occupation. Electric Vehicle Technicians are included in Occupation 351434 Electric Vehicle Technician. Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitters are included in Unit Group 8994 Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitters.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Inspects lightweight vehicles to identify mechanical issues and determine the necessary repairs
- Uses computerised diagnostic tools to identify problems with petrol engines and mechanical parts of motor vehicles
- Repairs or replaces faulty parts and components of motor vehicles
- Performs routine maintenance tasks on motor vehicles, such as oil changes and filter replacements
- Inspects and road tests motor vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
15%
Female rate
2%
Median age
36
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+3%
2,965 projected jobs
to 2035
+8%
8,346 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Automotive Engine Reconditioning
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Automotive Underbody Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Service and Repair
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Trade Pathways
Pre-vocational
Certificate II in Automotive Steering and Suspension System Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Motor Sport Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Automotive Underbody Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Automotive Cylinder Head Reconditioning
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Engineering - Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
Progression pathway
Diploma of Engineering - Technical
Specialised training
Diploma of Automotive Technology
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicles
Specialised training
Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Overhauling
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Automotive Electrical Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Motor Sport Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Fuel Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Motor Sport Technology
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
830
ACT · May 2026
42
VIC · May 2026
660
NT · May 2026
63
SA · May 2026
251
NSW · May 2026
824
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Automotive Technician (General).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - South East
4,774 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - South East
4,774 employed
VIC
-2.69%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
4,092 employed
VIC
-6.98%
year on year
- 3
Perth - South East
3,308 employed
WA
+3.38%
year on year
- 4
Gold Coast
3,179 employed
QLD
+0.28%
year on year
- 5
Perth - North West
3,027 employed
WA
+8.53%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
57,475
Moved in from another occupation
7,155
Moved to another occupation
5,115
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 351131
- 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).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- 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.