High Demand Mechanic Trade Positions in Australia

Heavy vehicle mechanics oversee the maintenance testing, repair, and maintenance of road transport as well as earth moving and mining equipment.

Overview

Heavy vehicle mechanics have the same role as motor mechanics only that the vehicles they handle differ in terms of size and type. While a light vehicle motor mechanic deals with cars, motorcycles and other lightweight vehicles, a heavy vehicle mechanic, also known as Diesel fitter, deals with road transport vehicles or HGVs weighing nearly 200 tonnes.

Job Responsibilities

 Diesel mechanics may be responsible for the following tasks:

• Detect and diagnose faults in engines and parts
• Repair or replace the defective parts, which may require the mechanic to dismantle and remove engine assemblies, steering mechanisms, transmissions and other components
• Reassembly of mechanical components after repair or replacement while referring to the service manuals if necessary
• Testing and adjusting parts with the use of computers to ensure they are working properly
• Perform scheduled maintenance, including tune-ups, lubrication and oil changes to ensure that the vehicles run smoothly and comply with the pollution regulations
• Inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or list the things needed to acquire roadworthiness certification

Job Requirements and Eligibility

AQF Certificate III with at least two years on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV, may be required for Diesel Fitters in Australia. Certificate III covers the skill and knowledge necessary in order to perform tasks related to servicing and repairing mechanical components of cars, heavy vehicles as well as motorcycles. This qualification is suitable for jobs in automotive retail, service and repair industry. 

In addition to the formal qualification, relevant experience and on-the-job training may be required in some cases. However, three years’ experience related to the position may substitute the formal qualifications.

Job Outlook

Australia is one of the few countries with facilities that design and produce cars from sheet steel to dealer sale. The automotive industry in Australia includes more than 100,000 different companies that generate about 400,000 jobs. These include jobs for motor mechanics, auto electricians, body repairers and other occupations, including HGV or Diesel mechanics. This is a great opportunity for both local and overseas workers.

Motor Mechanic work, in general, is a very large occupation employing 100,700 workers. The number of jobs has grown strongly over the past 5 years, and a few changes in the number of jobs is expected in the future. New jobs and turnover from workers leaving may create between 10,001 and 25,000 job openings over the 5 years to 2020.

Automotive Repair and Maintenance is also listed as one of the sectors with the most prominent shortages in Australia.  Automotive Repair and Maintenance is at 52% with Diesel Mechanic at 12% in terms of the weighted average of occupations in shortage.

Salary Details

Motor Mechanics in Australia may earn average weekly pay of $1000 (before tax) according to Department of Employment’s Job Outlook. 

Skill Level, Assessment and Licensing Required

Skill Level 3 is required for Diesel Motor Mechanics in Australia. Registration or licensing may also be required. 

As for international recruitment and for employers sponsoring overseas workers for this occupation, their applicants may be eligible for the following programs:

• Employer Nominations Scheme (or Subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (or Subclass 187)
• Skill Select (or Points Based Skilled Migration visa)
• Temporary Business (or Long Stay) Standard Business Sponsorship (or 457 visa)

Skills assessment for international workers or overseas personnel is required only for certain visa subclasses. For 457 workers and other visa subclasses, it is necessary to check whether skills assessment is required or not before they contact the assessing authority.