Certificate III & IV

Automotive Body Repair

The automotive industry in Australia has many different aspects and job roles. One of the most in demand jobs at the moment is for qualified panel beaters.

Panel Beaters are currently on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Panel beaters undertake a very wide range of tasks and have a very diverse skill set. They can repair minor dents and scratches, right through to a full rebuild of exterior panels.
Another really interesting aspect of a panel beaters job is classical car restoration and customisation. This aspect of the job can allow you to explore a more creative side of the trade industry and come up with your own plans and concepts using a wide range of materials.

Students who undertake training in this field will obtain numerous skills to utilise within the automotive repair industry including:

  • Carry out fabrication of components.
  • Carry out gas metal arc welding procedures.
  • Remove and replace mechanical units and assemblies.
  • Carry out paint-less dent repairs.
  • Carry out panel repairs.
  • Conduct major sectional repairs.
  • Determine vehicle damage and recommended repair procedures.
  • Fabricate composite material components.
  • Fabricate vehicle body panels and components.
  • Install vehicle components.

1. Students need to be at least 18 years old.
2. Academic requirement: Completion of Australian Year 10 OR overseas equivalent.
3. Present English language proficiency evidence

      • IELTS, PTE, etc. (IELTS: 6.0 overall – no band less than 5.5; OR equivalent). The test result must be valid within 2 years at the time of the visa application.
      • Some Education Institutions offer an in-house English Placement Test that you can take to meet the English entry requirements.
      • Exemptions apply if:
        – you are a citizen and hold a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland
        – you are enrolled in a principal course of study that is a registered school course, a standalone English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), a course registered to be delivered in a language other than English, or a registered post-graduate research course
        – you have completed at least 5 years of study in English in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland.

Graduate Outcome

  • Panel beaters earn an average of $1280.00 per week.
  • The average hours worked in Australia are 43 hours per week.
  • Employment for this occupation remained constant over the past five years and is expected to remain the same in the future
  • Panel beaters have a high proportion of full-time jobs (89 per cent).
  • Panel beaters can work independently as a sub contractor or as part of a larger automotive company.

Higher Education Opportunities:

Course Details

Price (per year)

$10 000 - $15 000

Duration

12-24 months

Location

Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney

Intake

Every 10 weeks

Temporary Graduate Visa

If undertaking study in this course in Australia for a minimum of 2 years you may qualify for the Temporary Graduate Visa.This visa allows the holder 1.5 years unlimited work rights in Australia. Many graduates use this time to build up experience in their field or find an employer that is willing to sponsor their visa.

If you have applied for the Temporary Graduate Visa you may also be eligible to apply for the Job Ready Program. The Job Ready Program is run through TRA and allows graduates in certain disciplines to have their skills assessed for skilled migration purposes. It is a way for people to have their skills assessed without having the experience. Once the student receives a positive skills assessment they may be eligible to apply for permanent work visas such as State Sponsored and General Skilled Migration Visas.

Note: It is never recommended to engage in studies for the sole purpose of trying to gain a visa to Australia. Speak to us and we can find a course that matches your long-term career goals.

Graduate Visa - Pathway To Aus

Graduate Visa

The Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows recent university graduates and certain vocational graduates the chance to remain in Australia and work after their studies have finished.

Education Pathways

Panel Beater (324111) – Is currently on the Skilled Occupations List.

The skills assessment for Panel Beaters is delivered through – Trade Recognition Australia (TRA).

The qualification required to obtain a positive skills assessment as a panel beater is the Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair.

If you undertake this course and participate in the job ready program you may even be able to do this without being sponsored by an employer and you may not need to live in a regional area.

Note: It is never recommended to engage in studies for the sole purpose of trying to gain a visa to Australia. Speak to us and we can find a course that matches your long-term career goals.

Step 1: Study a course or package of courses

Study a course or package of courses that goes for at least 2 years and includes the Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair.

Step 2: Receive the Temporary Graduate Visa

By studying for 2 years and undertaking a 360 hours vocational placement during your studies (most education providers will arrange this for you), you may be eligible to apply for and receive the Temporary Graduate Visa. The graduate visa is a work visa that allows the visa holder to live and work in Australia for up to 18 months. For more information on the Graduate Visa, click here.

Step 3: Participate in the Job Ready Program

The main benefit of the JRP is that on completion you will be provided with a positive skills assessment for general migration purposes. On this program, you must work for at least 12 months as a qualified Panel Beater

Your employer will not need to sponsor your visa, as you will already be on the graduate visa. This will mean that you have a much higher chance of finding employment as it is very easy for the employer to hire you. You may find this video on the Job Ready Program helpful.

Step 4: Apply for a General Skilled Migration Visas

Once you have completed the Job Ready Program as a Panel Beater you will receive a positive skills assessment. Once you have the positive skills assessment you may be able to apply for general skilled migration visas. If eligible, the general skilled migration visas (Skilled Independent Subclass 189, State Nominated Subclass 190 or Regional Nominated Subclass 491) do not require you to have an employer that is willing to sponsor your visa. Please note that you will still be required to pass the points test and health checks to apply for this visa.

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Absolutely, Panel Beaters have a significant role in Australia’s automotive industry. Data from the Australian Government’s Job Outlook indicates that there were around 14,600 Panel Beaters in the country in 2020. This number represents a robust growth from the count of 10,400 in 2015.

Looking ahead, job openings in this field are projected to be between 10,001 and 25,000 for the next five years, up until 2025. Earnings in this field also proved competitive with the median weekly full-time earnings at $1,347 as of May 2020.

For international students interested in this path, Pathway to Aus offers a range of services, including helping you locate the right vocational or trade course that aligns with current job trends, including Panel Beating. Completing these courses can present numerous opportunities, including visa options to extend your stay in Australia and acquire a Work Visa.

Pathway to Aus provides further assistance in areas such as travel arrangements, continuous support throughout your course duration, accommodation, and information about health coverage applicable to your situation. As changes in industries are inevitable, it’s important to stay updated with industry trends. Remember, your success as a future panel-beater in Australia will be defined by your continuous learning and adaptation to industry innovations.

Are Panel Beater’s in demand in Australia? was last modified: November 27th, 2023 by PTA

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