Automotive courses
Want to work on cars? You can start with a certificate in servicing or tyre work and be job ready quickly, or train for longer as an auto electrician or electric vehicle technician. Here's what each course leads to and what the jobs pay.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Certificate II, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $640
- subsidised Certificate II, TAFE Queensland
- What the jobs pay
- $59,800 to $146,000
- median pay across 10 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 9 of 10 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
Work as a mechanic's assistant
Carry out routine servicing and inspections on cars and light vehicles in a workshop, alongside qualified mechanics.
Median pay$59,800 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 6 to 12 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,010 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $5,920 full fee
- How you'll study
- On campus
Certificate II in Automotive Tyre Servicing Technology
Work as a tyre fitter
Fit, balance and repair tyres in a retail or repair workshop, and look after the tools, paperwork and customers that go with it.
JobTyre Fitter
Median pay$59,800 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- Typically 6 to 12 months
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Work as an auto electrician
Track down and fix the electrical faults that stop cars, trucks and other vehicles starting, charging or lighting up.
Median pay$146,000
- How long it takes
- About 0.5 to 4 years full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $2,410 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $17,700 full fee
- How you'll study
- On campus or on the job
Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology
Work as an electric vehicle technician
Service and repair battery electric vehicles, including their high voltage systems, and diagnose faults in motors and cooling.
JobElectric Vehicle Technician
Median pay$85,800 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- Typically 1 to 2 years
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology | Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology | Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology | Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation | Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology | Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology | Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology | Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology | Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | Not listed | Not listed | $1,010 | $6,750 | $1,010 | $5,920 | Not listed | Not listed | $2,410 | $17,700 | Not listed | Not listed | $2,410 | $22,690 | $2,410 | $18,060 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $1,985 | $5,607 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $5,653 | $24,098 | $4,983 | $21,955 | Not listed | Not listed |
| GOTAFE | VIC | Not listed | $22,523 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $1,296 | $5,493 | Not listed | $19,988 | Not listed | $19,703 | Not listed | $23,303 | Not listed | $22,656 | Not listed | $19,598 |
| The Gordon | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $1,719 | $4,077 | Not listed | Not listed | $4,430 | $21,454 | $3,976 | $23,150 | $3,923 | $22,840 | Not listed | Not listed |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $640 | $4,165 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
- $1,010 subsidised
- $6,750 full fee
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
- $1,010 subsidised
- $5,920 full fee
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- $2,410 subsidised
- $17,700 full fee
- Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- $2,410 subsidised
- $22,690 full fee
- Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- $2,410 subsidised
- $18,060 full fee
- Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
- $1,985 subsidised
- $5,607 full fee
- Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- $5,653 subsidised
- $24,098 full fee
- Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- $4,983 subsidised
- $21,955 full fee
- Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- $22,523 full fee
- Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
- $1,296 subsidised
- $5,493 full fee
- Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- Not listed
- $19,988 full fee
- Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
- Not listed
- $19,703 full fee
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- $23,303 full fee
- Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- $22,656 full fee
- Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- $19,598 full fee
The GordonVIC
- Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
- $1,719 subsidised
- $4,077 full fee
- Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
- $4,430 subsidised
- $21,454 full fee
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- $3,976 subsidised
- $23,150 full fee
- Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- $3,923 subsidised
- $22,840 full fee
- Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
- $640 subsidised
- $4,165 full fee
- Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
- Not listed
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Other certificates and diplomas
- Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology3 years. Trains you to service and repair the mechanical systems of agricultural machinery and equipment.
- Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology4 to 24 months. A starting point in body repair, where most work begins with stripping and preparing vehicles for experienced tradespeople.
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation6 to 12 months. For school leavers and career changers with no trade experience who want to try automotive work before committing to a trade.
- Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology2.5 to 3 years. Trains you to repair damaged vehicle bodies, frames and chassis back to manufacturer specifications, on light and heavy vehicles.
- Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology2.5 to 3 years. Teaches you to prepare, paint and refinish vehicles, including mixing colours and fixing paint faults.
- Certificate III in Automotive Sales2 years. For people selling vehicles, parts or service in a dealership or at a parts counter, and for those already doing the job who want it recognised.
Can help with: car salesperson, parts interpreter, service advisor
- Certificate III in Automotive and Marine Trimming Technology3 years. Trains you to make and repair seats, carpets and upholstery for cars and boats, working with fabric, vinyl and leather.
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology2 to 4 years. For people who want to service and repair trucks and buses, tracing faults in diesel engines, air brakes and electrical systems.
- Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology1 to 3 years. Trains you to service and repair cars and light vehicles, including the diagnostic work that finds hard-to-trace faults.
- Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology3 years. For people who want to work on boat engines, wiring and controls, in a workshop or alongside the marine trades.
- Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology3 years. Trains you to service and repair motorcycles, including engines, brakes, suspension and electrical systems.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Mechanic's AssistantWhat you needCertificate IIMedian pay$59,800 (estimate)
- Tyre FitterWhat you needCertificate IIMedian pay$59,800 (estimate)In demand
- Electric Vehicle TechnicianWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$85,800 (estimate)In demand
- Auto ElectricianWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$146,000In demand
Vehicle TrimmerWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$70,200 (estimate)In demand
Vehicle Spray PainterWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$97,800In demand
Diesel MechanicWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$80,600 (estimate)In demand
Motor MechanicWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$84,300In demand
Marine MechanicWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$75,400 (estimate)In demand
Motorcycle MechanicWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$70,200 (estimate)In demand
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.