Automotive Body Repair
Certificate III Automotive Body Repair Technology
Medium and Long Term Strategic Occupations List (MLTSSL)
Panel beaters perform a wide variety of tasks and possess a diverse skill set. They can repair everything from minor dents and scratches to complete rebuilds of vehicle exterior panels.
A very interesting part of a panel beater's job is the restoration and customization of classic cars. This field allows them to explore the more creative side of the profession, developing their own projects and ideas using different materials.
Students who take a course in this field will acquire a variety of skills for use in the automotive repair industry, including:
- Manufacture automotive components
- Perform gas arc welding (GMAW)
- Remove and replace mechanical units and assemblies
- Paint-less dent repair
- Repair damaged panels
- Make major structural repairs
- Assess vehicle damage and recommend correct repair procedures
- Produce components with composite materials
- Produce vehicle body panels and parts
- Install components in the vehicle
About the course
Duration: 12 to 24 months
Cost: Between $10,000 and $15,000 per year
Intake: Every 10 weeks
Cities: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney
Requirements
1) Students must be at least 18 years of age.
2) Academic requirement: Have completed the equivalent of Australian Year 10 (primary/secondary education) in the country of origin.
3) It is mandatory to present proof of your English level.
- Accepted tests: IELTS, PTE, among others.
- Example: IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.0, and no band below 5.5 (or equivalent).
- The test must be valid (taken within the last 2 years) at the time of visa application.
- Some educational institutions offer an in-house English test (taken at the school itself) that can be used to prove the required level of English.
Exemptions:
You may be exempt from the English language requirement if:
– are a citizen and hold a passport from the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland.
– are enrolled in a major course that is a registered school course, an intensive English language course (ELICOS), a course registered to be taught in another language, or a registered postgraduate research course.
– have studied for at least 5 years in English in one or more of the following countries: Australia, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or Ireland.
Job market
- Panel beaters (automotive body shoppers) earn, on average, $1280.00 per week.
- The average number of hours worked in Australia is 43 hours per week.
- The level of employment in this profession has remained stable over the past five years and is expected to continue this way in the future.
- 89% of professionals in the field work full-time.
- Panel beaters may work independently as subcontractors or be part of a larger automotive company.
Score to Immigrate
This is the minimum score that this profession was called in the last rounds of invitations for the 189 visa:
Panelbeater (ANZSCO 324111)
August 21, 2025: 90 points
December 8, 2022: 70 points
Information taken from the Home Affairs website.