National code: AUR32420

Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology

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Overview About this course

Start your career as a vehicle refinishing technician. Learn the skills you need to paint, refinish, repair and maintain painted surfaces on automotive and recreational vehicles, aircraft and marine craft.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Interpret and apply automotive repair instructions

  • Remove paint from vehicle painted surfaces

  • Prepare vehicle spray painting equipment for use

  • Apply basic colour matching techniques and final finishing top coats

  • Perform detailing

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • The skills to prepare surfaces for paint application and rust prevention

  • Experience in applying custom-designed airbrush graphics to automotive vehicles

  • The confidence to colour match and replicate original finishes to restore automotive vehicles

  • A trade-level qualification that allows you to apply for a Motor Vehicle Tradesperson Certificate as a vehicle painter

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

Apprenticeship

  • Be employed as an apprentice in the industry

  • Register with an Apprenticeship Network Provider who will support your application

Non-apprenticeship

  • Non-apprenticeship pathways for trade-related qualifications allow you to have your industry skills assessed through recognition of prior learning (RPL) and undertake gap training to gain a trade qualification. To take this course as a non-apprenticeship, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age, as evidenced by photo identification

  • Have at least 2 years of work experience in this occupation or trade, as evidenced by employee records such as your resume and/or letters from your employers

  • Be currently employed in the relevant industry, as evidenced by a letter from your employer

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • An aptitude for practical work

  • An enjoyment of working with your hands

  • An eye for colour and design

  • Good communication skills

  • A reasonable fitness level to manage manual tasks like working on work platforms, kneeling, bending and standing

  • A keen interest in design in the automotive industry

  • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 10 high school level

  • TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test.

  • This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success

  • and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: Spray painter and Vehicle refinishing technician

Licensing

A motor vehicle tradesperson certificate is required for workers who wish to perform motor vehicle repair work in NSW. Visit the Service NSW website for more information on applying for your motor vehicle tradesperson certificate as a vehicle painter.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 0 Courses

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

The Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology does not have any pre-requisite courses.

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 2 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 30 Units of competency, including 18 core and 12 speciality units.

Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace AURAEA002

  • Interpret and apply automotive repair instructions AURAFA108

  • Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace AURASA102

  • Mask vehicle panels and components AURVTP002

  • ... 5

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.