09/07/2026
And it’s the same almost anywhere, US too.
AUSTRALIA NEEDS MECHANICS — THE INDUSTRY IS AT BREAKING POINT
Australia’s shortage of qualified mechanics is no longer a future warning. It is happening right now—and the figures are alarming:
NEARLY 28,000 TECHNICIANS SHORT — Australia already has a shortfall of almost 28,000 skilled automotive technicians.
14,000 APPRENTICE VACANCIES — Workshops need apprentices, yet thousands of available positions remain unfilled.
HEADING TOWARDS 40,000 — The national shortage is forecast to reach approximately 40,000 automotive technicians by 2030 if nothing substantial changes.
VACANCIES CANNOT BE FILLED — A major industry survey found that only 41% of advertised automotive positions were successfully filled.
DIESEL MECHANICS ARE HARDEST TO FIND — Vacancy fill rates were only 38% for motor mechanics, 33% for automotive electricians and an appalling 27% for diesel mechanics.
SHORTAGES ACROSS AUSTRALIA — Automotive trades have experienced verified shortages across every state and territory for five consecutive years.
REGIONAL WORKSHOPS ARE HIT HARDEST — Smaller regional businesses have fewer people to recruit and can be crippled by just one unfilled position.
WORK IS BEING TURNED AWAY — Approximately 27% of Australian automotive businesses report turning away work because they are understaffed. In Queensland, the figure reached 33%.
THE APPRENTICESHIP PIPELINE IS LEAKING — Automotive apprenticeship completion remains well below where it needs to be. Industry reporting places current completion rates below 40%.
LOW STARTING PAY REMAINS A BARRIER — Junior apprentice wages remain considerably below adult rates. Someone beginning immediately before turning 21 can remain on the junior structure throughout the apprenticeship.
THE TOOL SUPPORT IS ALMOST INSULTING — The Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award lists a first-year apprentice tool allowance of just $5.88 per week—while a proper working tool kit can cost thousands of dollars.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT WAS CUT — From 1 January 2026, the employer incentive for eligible priority apprenticeships outside the Key Apprenticeship Program was reduced from up to $5,000 to $2,500.
THE WORKFORCE IS AGEING — Australia’s automotive workforce has an average age of approximately 40, while fewer than 15% of workers are aged under 24.
HALF THE POPULATION IS BARELY REPRESENTED — Women make up only around 18% of the automotive workforce and approximately 2.6% of automotive and engineering trade roles.
VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY IS OUTRUNNING TRAINING — Today’s mechanic must understand electronics, computer diagnostics, emissions systems, advanced driver-assistance systems, connected vehicles, hybrids and high-voltage electric vehicles.
EV TRAINING IS FAR BEHIND — Only 147 mostly new enrolments were recorded in the Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology during 2024.
EV TECHNICIANS ARE ALREADY DIFFICULT TO FIND — Only around 41% of EV technician vacancies are being filled.
THOUSANDS MORE EV-SKILLED TECHNICIANS WILL BE NEEDED — Australia is expected to require between 6,500 and 10,500 EV-qualified technicians by 2050.
UPSKILLING IS EXPENSIVE — Relevant battery-electric vehicle training can cost approximately $1,500 to $3,000 per technician, before lost workshop time, travel or equipment costs.
TRAINING PROVIDERS ARE ALSO UNDER PRESSURE — Limited trainer capacity, expensive diagnostic equipment and costly access to manufacturer information are restricting how quickly new technicians can be trained.
SOFTWARE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE REPLACING THE OLD WORKSHOP MANUAL — Independent workshops and training organisations must navigate multiple manufacturer portals, short-term subscriptions and increasingly locked vehicle systems.
EXISTING MECHANICS ARE CARRYING THE LOAD — Unfilled positions mean growing backlogs, longer hours, workplace fatigue and experienced technicians being stretched even further.
MOTORISTS ARE PAYING THE PRICE — Longer booking times and delayed servicing affect families, tradespeople, farmers, transport operators and essential vehicle fleets. Delayed repairs can ultimately become a road-safety problem.
THIS IS ALSO A MASSIVE CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Modern mechanics are not merely “grease monkeys”. They are mechanical technicians, diagnosticians, electricians, computer problem-solvers and highly skilled tradespeople.
If you are practical, curious, willing to learn and want a qualification Australia desperately needs, there has never been a better time to consider the automotive industry.
Seek out your state or territory training authority and contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider. Then get to know your local mechanic, diesel or auto-electrical workshop. Walk in, introduce yourself and ask about work experience, trial days, pre-apprenticeships or apprenticeship opportunities.
Don’t wait for the perfect advertisement—start the conversation.
AUSTRALIA NEEDS MECHANICS.
AUSTRALIA NEEDS THE NEXT GENERATION.
AUSTRALIA NEEDS YOU.
Figures sourced from AUSMASA, Jobs and Skills Australia, NCVER, DEWR, Fair Work and the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.
