Working as a Panel Beater you would repair damaged vehicles and work with materials including metal, plastic and fibreglass. You would work with high-strength steel and lightweight vehicle body structures.

Summary of Training

  • Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace
  • Interpret and apply automotive repair instructions
  • Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace
  • Remove, refit and operate electrical components following body repair activities
  • Test, charge and replace batteries and jump-start vehicles
  • Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace
  • Repair vehicle chassis, frame and associated components
  • Remove and store vehicle body components
  • Repair vehicle body misalignment
  • Remove, replace and align bolt-on vehicle body panels and components
  • Repair vehicle body panels using filler
  • Remove and replace major welded panels on vehicles
  • Repair adhesive bonded structural damage on vehicles
  • Inspect vehicle damage and determine repair procedures
  • Apply original equipment manufacturer repair procedures during vehicle repairs
  • Carry out advanced gas metal arc welding on vehicle body sections
  • Carry out spot welding
  • Remove and replace vehicle supplementary restraint systems
  • Remove and replace adhesive attached components on vehicles
  • Repair vehicle thermoplastic body panels and components
  • Repair and replace vehicle structural damage
  • Set up and operate universal vehicle measuring systems
  • Carry out vehicle sectional repairs
  • Carry out non-structural vehicle panel repairs
  • Carry out paint-less dent repairs on vehicle body panels
  • Repair vehicle body panels using metal finishing
  • Repair vehicle structural damage by riveting
  • Repair vehicle aluminium body panels without the use of body filler
  • Repair vehicle aluminium body panels using filler
  • Identify and repair high strength steel vehicle components
  • Resolve routine problems in an automotive workplace

Please note that this Job & Training Description provides an example of the selection of non-core units. Alternative combinations of units may be selected and in some cases prerequisite units may need to be completed. For advice contact Apprenticeship Network providers or an approved Registered Training Organisation.

This Australian Apprenticeship occupation may attract incentives under the Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System. For more information contact an Apprenticeship Network provider, call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73, or look at the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive page

Job Pathways

Automotive Retail, Service and Repair

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This occupation fits generally with these groupings

Industry Group
Automotive, Transport & Maritime

Work Type
Analytic & Investigative
Manual & Realistic

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Employment and wage data for this industry

Commencements Change

The change in Australian Apprenticeships commencements in this overall industry in the past two years. Commencements in 22/23: 15903

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 18/10/2023. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Employment

Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry in employment (in any industry).

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Wage

Average wage of Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry employed full-time after training.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Growth

Predicted growth in employment in this overall industry over the next 5 years.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Size

The number of employees in this overall industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

Average wage of employees in this overall industry.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Availability Information

Panel Beater - AUR32120
NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 42 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Commencements 160 180 145 75 45 15 5 5
ASbA
Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)

A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occupations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Commencements

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 18/10/2023, rounded estimates for April 2022 to March 2023. This data is for general information purposes only.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA)

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases full-time or part-time ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit our Australian School-based Apprenticeships page for more detailed information.

Next Steps

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The Fair Work Ombudsman is the source of information on wages across industries and occupations. The FWO provides apprenticeship and traineeship specific information.

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Training provider and incentives information

Each state and territory lists Registered Training Organisations they approve to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships. Access these sites here, as well as information on incentives.

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