Plant Mechanic

Working as a Plant Mechanic you will maintain and repair combustion engines and associated equipment on mobile and stationary plants. You will diagnose and rectify faults of plant components and systems, and tune petrol and diesel engines. Note: This qualification must be undertaken through a Training Contract or through formal trade recognition assessment processes.

Summary of Training

  • Interpret technical drawing
  • Undertake manual handling
  • Perform engineering measurements
  • Perform computations
  • Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
  • Plan work activities
  • Organise and communicate information
  • Interact with computing technology
  • Assist in the provision of on-the-job training
  • Use hand tools
  • Use power tools/hand held operations
  • Dismantle, replace and assemble engineering components
  • Diagnose and rectify batteries, low voltage sensors and circuits
  • Diagnose and maintain electronic controlling systems on mobile and stationary plant
  • Maintain, fault find and rectify hydraulic systems for mobile plant
  • Diagnose, repair and replace diesel engines in stationary and mobile plant
  • Apply knowledge of large combustion engine operations to service and maintenance tasks
  • Diagnose and rectify fieldbus circuits in mobile and stationary plant and equipment
  • Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
  • Perform manual heating and thermal cutting
  • Perform electrical/electronic measurement
  • Use tools for precision work
  • Perform precision fitting of engineering components
  • Overhaul engine fuel system components          
  • Service and repair mobile plant air conditioning systems
  • Service combustion engines
  • Tune diesel engines
  • Perform emergency first aid

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

Additionally, this Australian Apprenticeship occupation may attract incentives under the Australian Government's New Energy Apprenticeships Program. For more information contact an Apprenticeship Network provider, call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73, or look at the Australian Apprenitceships Incentives page.

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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: 10498

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

Plant Mechanic - MEM31419
NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Commencements 45 0 510 110 0 0 0 0
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

Who to contact next ...

Search for an Apprenticeship Network provider or Group Training Organisation in your area to ask for more information about apprenticeships and traineeships.

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Where to ask wages questions ...

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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