HomeCoursesAutomotiveCertificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
This course trains you to service and repair cars and other light vehicles, from routine maintenance through to tracking down faults that are hard to find.
- Duration: 1 year to 3 years
- Study mode: On campus and workplace based
- Course code: AUR30620
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 31 campuses
- Duration
- 1 year to 3 years
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $18,060
- Eligible students: subsidised from $2,410, concession $240
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 16 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Not stated by provider
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Campuses
- 26 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
- Campuses
- 4 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students speak highly of the trainers and teaching, with the campus and facilities also well regarded. Many found student support frustrating, along with organisation and communication.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
- Campuses
- East Geelong Campus
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Not stated by provider
- Full fee
- $22,840
- Eligible students: subsidised from $3,923, concession $785
What students say
Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, along with the student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on student support and course content.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Central Queensland University
- Campuses
- 18 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
A number of students praise the student support and campus facilities, while many found the organisation and admin frustrating and some had trouble with the enrolment process. Opinions are mixed on student support.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Nil.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- a hands-on interest in how cars work
- an enjoyment of practical workshop work
- patience for tracking down faults
- care with safety and the environment
What will you learn?
You learn how petrol engines, brakes, steering, suspension, cooling and exhaust systems work, and how to test and fix the electrical circuits, batteries, charging and starting systems that cause so many breakdowns. Much of the training happens in a workshop, using the hand and power tools of the trade while following safe work and environmental practices. It suits someone who wants a hands-on job and is willing to build the diagnostic thinking that separates a parts changer from a technician.
- Engine servicing and repair
- Brake and hydraulic systems
- Steering and suspension
- Auto electrical circuits
- Batteries and charging systems
- Fault diagnosis and testing
Units of competency (20 core, 16 elective)
The qualification is made up of 36 units. Everyone completes the 20 core units below, and the remaining 16 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Career pathways
Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.
A recognised route into Motor Mechanic
Motor Mechanic
Motor mechanics find out what has gone wrong with a vehicle and repair it, from a routine service to an engine rebuild.
Explore this career →- Weekly pay
- $1,622
- Full-time share
- 91%
- Employment size
- 112,600 workers
- Average age
- 33 years
- Average full-time hours
- 44 hours
- Gender share
- 3% female
- Future growth
- +7.5%
- Job market
- In shortage (national)
Complete recognised light-vehicle trade training and the required workplace or apprenticeship arrangements; check local motor-repair licensing requirements. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Where this fits
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology in automotive: the study that leads into it, the study that follows, and other routes at the same level.
Before
No earlier step listed.
You are looking at
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
After
No later step listed.
Other routes at the same level
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical TechnologyIf trucks and buses interest you more than cars, this same level course covers diesel engines and air brakes instead.
- Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle TechnologyChoose this if you want to work on battery electric vehicles and high voltage systems rather than petrol engines.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).