Heavy Diesel Mechanic
Diesel engines are known for their hard work, and because of that are found in hard working vehicles like buses, large trucks, boats, bulldozers, dump trucks, cranes, and even some light duty trucks and cars. Diesel engines are different from gasoline-powered engines, and have different needs and requirements when being serviced. Diesel mechanics deal with everything from routine oil changes to full engine rebuilds.
Diesel mechanics have to understand a vehicle’s electrical system, engine, and all of its working parts. They are familiar with the mechanical and technical, using diagnostic computer software on some advanced vehicles to identify issues.
Graduates will be skilled in many aspects of mechanics including:
- Engines.
- Maintenance and services procedures.
- Workplace safety.
- Tools and equipment.
- Service brakes, cooling system, fuel system.
- Service batteries.
- Electrical fundamentals.
- Must have graduated year 10 in your home country.
- Must have a minimum of IELTS 5.5 overall.
Potential Job Forecast:
- Full-time heavy diesel mechanics earn an average of $1436 per week.
- Employment for this occupation rose strongly in the past five years and is expected to remain constant in the future
- Motor mechanics have a very high proportion of full-time jobs (93%).
- The average hours worked by a Motor mechanic in Australia work an average of 49 hours per week.
- Most diesel mechanics work for themselves, dealerships and mechanical workshops or in the maintenance for large mining or civil works companies.
Price (per year)
Duration
Location
Intake
Temporary Graduate Visa
If undertaking study in Australia for a minimum of 2 years you may qualify for the Temporary Skilled 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
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
Diesel Motor Mechanic (321212) – Is currently on the Skilled Occupations List.
The skills assessment for Diesel Motor Mechanics is delivered through – Trade Recognition Australia (TRA).
The qualification required to obtain a positive skills assessment as an Diesel Mechanic is the Certificate III in Automotive Heavy Mechanical Technology
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 Heavy Mechanical Technology
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 Diesel Motor Mechanic.
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 Diesel Mechanic 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.
Why Use Pathway to Aus?
Pathway to Aus has assisted thousands of student’s study or migrate to Australia. We are here to support you throughout your journey and make the transition as easy and smooth as possible. Our experienced team of Education and Migration agents are ready to work with you to help you achieve your education and migration goals.
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Registered Migration Agents
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Interviews with Our Students
Feel free to check these interviews with some of our students.
Chris
South Africa
Cert III in Bricklaying
After Chris traveled to Australia on a vacation, he fell in love with the country and decided to pursue his dream to become a bricklayer in Australia.
William
Sweden
Civil Engineering
William is studying Associate Degree of Civil Engineering at TAFE QLD in Brisbane. He's building up his work experience and will apply for a permanent visa to Australia.
Denise
Germany
Civil Engineering
Denise came to Australia several times when she was younger and fell in love with the country. She decided to apply for a student visa and started her course at the Southbank campus of TAFE Queensland.
Raphael
France
Certificate III in Joinery
In late 2017 he decided to study joinery in Australia. He has now finished his course and has just had his temporary graduate work visa approved (subclass 485).
Louis
India
Automotive
After finishing high school, Louis decided to Automotive Mechanical at a college on The Gold Coast. After completing this course he obtained the Temporary Graduate Work Visa.Frequently Asked Questions
What do you do as a Diesel Motor Mechanic?
As a Diesel Motor Mechanic you would maintain, test and repair diesel motors and the mechanical parts of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles such as transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
A Diesel Motor Mechanic will also do any of the following in a normal day:
- Detects and diagnoses faults in engines and parts.
- Dismantles and removes engine assemblies, transmissions, steering mechanisms and other components, and checks parts.
- Repairs and replaces worn and defective parts and reassembles mechanical components, and refers to service manuals as needed.
- Reassembles engines and parts after being repaired.
- Tests and adjusts mechanical parts after being repaired for proper performance, diagnoses and tests parts with the assistance of computers.
- May inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or detail work required to achieve roadworthiness
Where can I study to be a Diesel Motor Mechanic in Australia?
You can study to be a Diesel Motor Mechanic on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne
Can foreigners do a Diesel Motor Mechanic apprenticeship in Australia?
International students can’t do a Diesel Motor Mechanic apprenticeship in Australia. Instead, they can study a 24-month vocational course to become a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic, Heavy Commercial Vehicle Technician or Heavy Vehicle Mechanic. Click here to read more about apprenticeships and vocational courses for international students
How much does a Heavy Diesel Mechanic get paid?
As per Job Outlook, a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic earns $1,436 a week, on average
What qualifications do I need to be a Diesel Motor Mechanic?
To be a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic in Australia you need to have successfully completed a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or a Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology.
How much is a Diesel Motor Mechanic course?
The Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology courses, cost $9,000 – $12,000 per year, depending on study location
How long does it take to become a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic?
It takes 12-24 months to become a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic, depending on the study location
What is the study timetable like for Diesel Motor Mechanic course?
The timetable when studying to become a Diesel Motor Mechanic will usually require you to be on campus for 15-20 hours per week, over 2-3 days.
Will these qualifications be recognised in my home country?
These qualifications are part of the Australian Qualification Framework. Most countries, specifically European or North American countries, accept qualifications issued by Australia. So yes, generally speaking, the qualifications will be accepted and allow you to work in your home country. Please note, we would always advise you check specifically with your home country.
Is a Diesel Motor Mechanic in demand in Australia?
According to JobOutlook, the number of people working as Diesel Motor Mechanics, in their main job, grew very strongly over 5 years, from 6,500 in 2011 to 7,800 in 2016. Despite this, Employers found it hard to fill vacancies for Motor Mechanics in 2018. 94% of Diesel Motor Mechanics work full-time, which is much higher than the average of 66% for other occupations. Diesel Motor Mechanic is also on Australia’s Medium and Long Term Skills Shortage List (MLTSSL).
How do I get started?
If you complete this questionnaire we’ll be able to send you some detailed information on the course and explain what documents you’ll need for enrolment
What do you do as a Diesel Motor Mechanic?
As a Diesel Motor Mechanic you would maintain, test and repair diesel motors and the mechanical parts of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles such as transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
A Diesel Motor Mechanic will also do any of the following in a normal day:
- Detects and diagnoses faults in engines and parts.
- Dismantles and removes engine assemblies, transmissions, steering mechanisms and other components, and checks parts.
- Repairs and replaces worn and defective parts and reassembles mechanical components, and refers to service manuals as needed.
- Reassembles engines and parts after being repaired.
- Tests and adjusts mechanical parts after being repaired for proper performance, diagnoses and tests parts with the assistance of computers.
- May inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or detail work required to achieve roadworthiness
Where can I study to be a Diesel Motor Mechanic in Australia?
You can study to be a Diesel Motor Mechanic on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne
Can foreigners do a Diesel Motor Mechanic apprenticeship in Australia?
International students can’t do a Diesel Motor Mechanic apprenticeship in Australia. Instead, they can study a 24-month vocational course to become a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic, Heavy Commercial Vehicle Technician or Heavy Vehicle Mechanic. Click here to read more about apprenticeships and vocational courses for international students
How much does a Heavy Diesel Mechanic get paid?
As per Job Outlook, a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic earns $1,436 a week, on average
What qualifications do I need to be a Diesel Motor Mechanic?
To be a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic in Australia you need to have successfully completed a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or a Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology.
How much is a Diesel Motor Mechanic course?
The Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology courses, cost $9,000 – $12,000 per year, depending on study location
How long does it take to become a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic?
It takes 12-24 months to become a qualified Diesel Motor Mechanic, depending on the study location
What is the study timetable like for Diesel Motor Mechanic course?
The timetable when studying to become a Diesel Motor Mechanic will usually require you to be on campus for 15-20 hours per week, over 2-3 days.
Will these qualifications be recognised in my home country?
These qualifications are part of the Australian Qualification Framework. Most countries, specifically European or North American countries, accept qualifications issued by Australia. So yes, generally speaking, the qualifications will be accepted and allow you to work in your home country. Please note, we would always advise you check specifically with your home country.
What do equipment do I need to work as a diesel motor mechanic?
Diesel motor mechanics use a range of tools, including the following:
- Adapters
- Allen drivers
- One-quarter inch drive socket set
- Three-eighths inch drive sockets
- One-half inch drive sockets
- Extensions
- Feeler gauge set
- Hammers
- Impacts
- Multimeter
- Plyers
- Pry bar set
- Ratchets
- One rolling toolbox or cart
- Screw drivers
- Torque bit drivers
- Wiring equipment
- Wrenches
How many hours a week does a diesel motor mechanic work in a week?
As per Job OutLook, diesel motor mechanics work an average of 46 hours per week.
Is a diesel motor mechanic in demand in Australia?
Diesel Motor Mechanic is currently on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) in Australia
Can you be a diesel motor mechanic without a degree?
Yes, you can become a qualified diesel motor mechanic in Australia with a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Is it hard to get a job as a diesel motor mechanic?
As per Job Outlook, 94 % of diesel motor mechanics are employed full time
How does the future of the diesel motor mechanic industry look?
As per Job OutLook, the industry for diesel motor mechanics is predicted to have stable future growth
How do I get started?
If you complete this questionnaire we’ll be able to send you some detailed information on the course and explain what documents you’ll need for enrolment
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