This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
Learn to diagnose, repair and maintain mobile plant machines through on-the-job training.
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who perform a broad range of tasks on a variety of mobile plant machinery in the automotive retail, service and repair industry.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do an apprenticeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through an apprenticeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This apprenticeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through apprenticeship:
4 years
- Through apprenticeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Carry out servicing operations | Core |
| Develop and carry out diagnostic test strategies | Core |
| Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace | Core |
| Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace | Core |
| Inspect and service hydraulic systems | Core |
| Select and use bearings, seals, gaskets, sealants and adhesives | Core |
| Test and repair basic electrical circuits | Core |
| Test, charge and replace batteries and jump-start vehicles | Core |
| Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace | Core |
| Apply knowledge of automotive electrical circuits and wiring systems | Elective |
| Assemble and fit braking system components | Elective |
| Assemble and install pneumatic system components | Elective |
| Balance wheels and tyres | Elective |
| Carry out advanced gas metal arc welding on vehicle body sections | Elective |
| Carry out basic gas metal arc welding | Elective |
| Carry out manual metal arc welding on components | Elective |
| Carry out mechanical pre-repair operations | Elective |
| Carry out oxyacetylene brazing of components | Elective |
| Carry out oxyacetylene welding, thermal heating and cutting | Elective |
| Carry out soft soldering techniques | Elective |
| Carry out tungsten inert gas welding | Elective |
| Carry out vehicle safety inspections | Elective |
| Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace | Elective |
| Depower and reinitialise battery electric vehicles | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair air conditioning and HVAC components | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair automotive electrical systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair charging systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair CNG fuel systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair compression ignition engine management systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair continuously variable transmissions | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair cooling systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair electronic over hydraulic control systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair engine forced-induction systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair exhaust systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair forklift hydraulic braking systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair forklift hydrostatic steering systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair heavy commercial vehicle final drive assemblies | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle air braking systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle clutch systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle compression ignition engines | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle diesel fuel injection systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle drive shafts | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle emission control systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair hydraulic systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair hydrostatic transmissions | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair ignition systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair instruments and warning systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair integrated engine and transmission management systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair light vehicle emission control systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair light vehicle engines | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair light vehicle hydraulic braking systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair LNG fuel systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair LPG fuel systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair mobile plant braking systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair mobile plant final drive assemblies | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair mobile plant hydraulic systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair mobile plant steering systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair mobile plant suspension systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair petrol carburettor systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair powershift transmissions | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair spark ignition engine management systems | Elective |
| Diagnose and repair starting systems | Elective |
| Diagnose, repair and replace heavy vehicle electronic management, monitoring and tracking systems | Elective |
| Fabricate and install fluid power hose assemblies | Elective |
| Inspect and maintain battery electric vehicles | Elective |
| Inspect and maintain hydrogen fuel cell system | Elective |
| Inspect and service air braking systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service automatic transmissions | Elective |
| Inspect and service braking systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service CNG fuel systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service cooling systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service diesel fuel injection systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service drive shafts | Elective |
| Inspect and service engines | Elective |
| Inspect and service final drive assemblies | Elective |
| Inspect and service hydrostatic transmissions | Elective |
| Inspect and service LNG fuel systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service LPG fuel systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service manual transmissions | Elective |
| Inspect and service petrol fuel systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service steering systems | Elective |
| Inspect and service suspension systems | Elective |
| Inspect, diagnose and repair alternative fuel systems in heavy vehicle engines | Elective |
| Inspect, service and repair AC electric motor drive systems | Elective |
| Inspect, service and repair auxiliary braking systems | Elective |
| Inspect, service and repair forklift mast assemblies | Elective |
| Inspect, service and repair pneumatic systems | Elective |
| Inspect, service and repair track type drive and support systems | Elective |
| Inspect, test and replace heavy vehicle automatic transmissions | Elective |
| Install automotive security systems and components | Elective |
| Install basic ancillary electrical systems and components | Elective |
| Install CNG fuel systems | Elective |
| Install hydraulic systems to specified applications | Elective |
| Install LPG fuel systems | Elective |
| Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) | Elective |
| Licence to operate a forklift truck | Elective |
| Operate elevating work platform | Elective |
| Overhaul diesel fuel injection system components | Elective |
| Overhaul engines | Elective |
| Read, interpret and apply engineering drawings | Elective |
| Remove and install heavy vehicle engine assemblies | Elective |
| Remove and install light vehicle engine assemblies | Elective |
| Remove, inspect and fit earthmoving and off-the-road wheel and rim assemblies | Elective |
| Remove, inspect and refit heavy vehicle wheel and tyre assemblies | Elective |
| Remove, inspect, repair and refit heavy vehicle tyres | Elective |
| Repair wiring harnesses and looms | Elective |
| Respond to customer needs and enquiries in an automotive workplace | Elective |
| Retrofit automotive air conditioning and HVAC systems | Elective |
| Service air conditioning and HVAC systems | Elective |
| Synchronise plant and equipment | Elective |
| Use and maintain electrical test equipment in an automotive workplace | Elective |
| Use and maintain measuring equipment in an automotive workplace | Elective |
| Use earthmoving and off-the-road tyre handlers | Elective |
| Work safely with hydrogen in the automotive industry | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Motor Mechanic (General)
ANZSCO 321211
Service and repair vehicles and their parts and systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Diesel Motor Mechanic
ANZSCO 321212
Diesel Motor Mechanics maintain, test and repair diesel motors and the mechanical parts of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles such as transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Motorcycle Mechanic
ANZSCO 321213
Motorcycle Mechanics maintain, test and repair the mechanical parts of motorcycles.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Small Engine Mechanic
ANZSCO 321214
Small Engine Mechanics maintain, test and repair engines of chainsaws, lawn mowers, garden tractors and other equipment with small engines.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Fitter (General)
ANZSCO 323211
Fitters (General) fit and assemble metal parts and subassemblies to fabricate production machines and other equipment.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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CQUniversity Australia (RTO code 40939)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Australian Skills Group Pty Ltd (RTO code 32519)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited (RTO code 31447)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Komatsu Training Academy (RTO code 90996)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Major Training Group (RTO code 6139)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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MTA Institute (RTO code 31529)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Oceania College of Technology (RTO code 40995)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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TEC-NQ (RTO code 31444)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Academy of The Northern Territory Tech Skills Pty Ltd (RTO code 46366)
Contact this provider
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APT Specialist Hydraulics and Training (RTO code 91637)
Contact this provider
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Axxis Training (RTO code 41392)
Contact this provider
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BENDIGO REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF TAFE (RTO code 3077)
Contact this provider
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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY (RTO code 0373)
Contact this provider
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Intech Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (RTO code 30100)
Contact this provider
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Outsource Institute (AUS) (RTO code 31560)
Contact this provider
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PM SQUARED (RTO code 41304)
Contact this provider
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Contact this provider
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THE MTA GROUP TRAINING SCHEMME INC (RTO code 2293)
Contact this provider
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Trade Skills Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 45637)
Contact this provider
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Training Professionals Pty Ltd (RTO code 31955)
Contact this provider
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VETASSESS (RTO code 21097)
Contact this provider
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WesTrac Institute (RTO code 50737)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.