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
This qualification reflects the role of automotive body repair technicians who inspect vehicle damage and carry out a broad range of repair and restoration tasks on the body, structure and chassis of light and heavy vehicles in the automotive service and repair industry.
Workers in this role apply technical knowledge and hands-on skills to assess damage, select appropriate repair methods, and restore vehicles to manufacturer specifications, working safely and effectively across a variety of body repair contexts.
Foundation Skills Outcomes
The foundation skills outcomes implicit in this qualification are outlined in the below table.
Learning
Reading
Writing
Oral Communication
Numeracy
3
3
3
3
3
Digital: Uses digital camera to complete reporting tasks
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 |
|---|---|
| Apply original equipment manufacturer repair procedures during vehicle repairs | Core |
| Carry out advanced gas metal arc welding on vehicle body sections | Core |
| Carry out spot welding | Core |
| Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace | Core |
| Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace | Core |
| Inspect vehicle damage and determine repair procedures | Core |
| Interpret and apply automotive repair instructions | Core |
| Remove and replace major welded panels on vehicles | Core |
| Remove and store vehicle body components | Core |
| Remove, refit and operate electrical components following body repair activities | Core |
| Remove, replace and align bolt-on vehicle body panels and components | Core |
| Repair adhesive bonded structural damage on vehicles | Core |
| Repair vehicle body misalignment | Core |
| Repair vehicle body panels using filler | Core |
| Repair vehicle chassis, frame and associated components | Core |
| Test, charge and replace batteries and jump-start vehicles | Core |
| Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace | Core |
| Apply heat induction processes | Elective |
| Apply infection prevention and control procedures to own work activities | Elective |
| Apply knowledge of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) | Elective |
| Apply rust prevention and sound deadening materials to vehicle body components | Elective |
| Carry out non-structural vehicle panel repairs | Elective |
| Carry out oxyacetylene thermal heating and cutting on vehicle body sections | Elective |
| Carry out paint-less dent repairs on vehicle body panels | Elective |
| Carry out soft soldering techniques | Elective |
| Carry out tungsten inert gas welding | Elective |
| Carry out vehicle sectional repairs | Elective |
| Depower and reinitialise battery electric vehicles | Elective |
| Depower and reinitialise hybrid electric vehicles | Elective |
| Fabricate automotive and marine trim components | Elective |
| Fabricate vehicle body panels and components | Elective |
| Fabricate vehicle composite material components | Elective |
| Fabricate wooden components for vehicles | Elective |
| Identify and repair high strength aluminium components | Elective |
| Identify and repair high strength steel vehicle components | Elective |
| Install vehicle components | Elective |
| Install vehicle sunroofs | Elective |
| Operate load shifting equipment | Elective |
| Organise and communicate information | Elective |
| Perform basic penetrant testing | Elective |
| Perform routine oxy fuel gas welding | Elective |
| Prepare vehicle substrates for refinishing | Elective |
| Prepare vehicles for customer use | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Read and respond to automotive workplace information | Elective |
| Remove and replace adhesive attached components on vehicles | Elective |
| Remove and replace mechanical units during vehicle repair | Elective |
| Remove and replace vehicle and vessel seats and fittings | Elective |
| Remove and replace vehicle supplementary restraint systems | Elective |
| Remove, replace and test non-electrical vehicle components and accessories | Elective |
| Repair and replace vehicle structural damage | Elective |
| Repair corroded vehicle body panels and components | Elective |
| Repair vehicle aluminium body panels using filler | Elective |
| Repair vehicle aluminium body panels without the use of body filler | Elective |
| Repair vehicle body components using lead wiping | Elective |
| Repair vehicle body panels using metal finishing | Elective |
| Repair vehicle composite material components | Elective |
| Repair vehicle structural damage by riveting | Elective |
| Repair vehicle thermoplastic body panels and components | Elective |
| Resolve routine problems in an automotive workplace | Elective |
| Scan and calibrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) | Elective |
| Select and apply adhesives in automotive and marine service and repair work | Elective |
| Service air compressors and air lines | Elective |
| Service and repair air compressors and components | Elective |
| Set up and operate universal vehicle measuring systems | Elective |
| Undertake manual handling | Elective |
| Use hand tools | Elective |
| Work effectively with others in an automotive workplace | Elective |
| Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering | Elective |
| Work safely at heights | Elective |
| Work safely with hydrogen in the automotive industry | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Panelbeater
ANZSCO 324111
Panelbeaters repair damage to metal, fibreglass and plastic body work on vehicles, and form replacement vehicle panels.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Vehicle Body Builder
ANZSCO 324211
Make and repair prototypes and purpose built bodies for different kinds of vehicles
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair 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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Australian college of business and trade (RTO code 46037)
Contact this provider
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BENDIGO REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF TAFE (RTO code 3077)
Contact this provider
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Brighton Institute of Technology (RTO code 21438)
Contact this provider
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Career Options Training Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 40733)
Contact this provider
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Central Australian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (RTO code 22302)
Contact this provider
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Gimbal Engineering (RTO code 31820)
Contact this provider
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Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers Inc (RTO code 90409)
Contact this provider
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Intech Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (RTO code 30100)
Contact this provider
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Invicta Technical College (RTO code 41495)
Contact this provider
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MTA Institute (RTO code 31529)
Contact this provider
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NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC OF AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (RTO code 45960)
Contact this provider
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Oceania College of Technology (RTO code 40995)
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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UTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PTY. LTD. (RTO code 41121)
Contact this provider
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VETASSESS (RTO code 21097)
Contact this provider
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Work Skills (RTO code 31384)
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.