HomeCoursesAutomotiveCertificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
This qualification trains you to work as an automotive electrician, the person who tracks down and fixes the electrical faults that stop a vehicle starting, charging or lighting up.
- Duration: 8 months to 4 years
- Study mode: On campus and workplace based
- Course code: AUR30320
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 16 campuses
- Duration
- 8 months to 4 years
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $17,700
- Eligible students: subsidised from $0, concession $0
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
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Charles Darwin University
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 7 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Not stated by provider
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Campuses
- 26 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Central Queensland University
- Campuses
- 18 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
A number of students praise the student support and campus facilities, while many found the organisation and admin frustrating and some had trouble with the enrolment process. Opinions are mixed on student support.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Trinity Institute (Australia)
- Campuses
- 2 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students rate the trainers and the teaching highly, and many also value the student support. A number of students speak well of the course content.
- Campuses
- Work Skills
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students rate the trainers and the teaching highly, and many speak well of the student support, while some value the flexibility and pacing.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Nil.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in how vehicles work
- a careful approach to safety in the workshop
- patience for tracking down tricky faults
- good hand skills for wiring and repairs
What will you learn?
You learn to test circuits, read wiring diagrams, repair harnesses and looms, and replace batteries, alternators, starters and lights. Much of the work is diagnostic: working out why a warning light is on and repairing the engine management, charging, starting and body electronic systems behind it. The training is built around safe workshop practice, so you come out able to handle electrical repairs on cars, trucks and other vehicles with limited supervision.
- Diagnosing electrical faults
- Reading wiring diagrams
- Testing circuits and components
- Batteries, charging and starting
- Engine management systems
- Workshop safety and sustainability
Units of competency (21 core, 11 elective)
The qualification is made up of 32 units. Everyone completes the 21 core units below, and the remaining 11 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Where this fits
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology in automotive: the study that leads into it, the study that follows, and other routes at the same level.
Before
Certificate IICertificate II in Automotive Vocational PreparationIf you have no trade experience yet, this entry level course lets you try basic electrical and mechanical tasks before committing to the automotive electrical trade.Certificate IICertificate II in Automotive Body Repair TechnologyIf vehicle bodies interest you more than wiring, this entry level course starts you on stripping, prepping and workshop hand and power tools.You are looking at
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
After
No later step listed.
Other routes at the same level
- Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair TechnologyIf you would rather repair panels, frames and chassis than diagnose electrical faults, this covers damage assessment, welding and body finishing on light and heavy vehicles.
- Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle TechnologyIf battery electric vehicles are where you want to work, this covers high voltage systems, traction motors and Australian Standard 5732.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).