INTERNATIONAL

Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology

CRICOS Code: 103612D
National Code: AUR30620

2026 2027

Description

Become a qualified light vehicle technician with this nationally recognised trade course. You will learn how to service, repair, and diagnose faults in motor vehicles weighing up to 4.5 tonnes. Gain valuable practical skills in engines, transmissions, suspensions, steering, brakes, and automotive electrical systems including diagnosing and repairs to electronic engine control management systems and components. The state-of-the-art facilities at TAFE SA mean you’ll be hands-on with all the right tools and equipment.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Print Course Page

52 weeks

40 weeks

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Regency Park

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

24 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 or overseas equivalent .
Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Nepalese students need satisfactory completion of Year 12 or overseas equivalent 60% in the top 4 subjects (excluding native language). If student has needed to re-sit for their exam, student will also need to provide all exam results.
Ability to meet the physical demands of working in the automotive industry, particularly the requirements of manual handing.

Work Placement Duration: 152 hours

Students will undertake a work placement for 2 weeks each semester (76 hours per semester, 152 hours for the course).

Course Notes

Students may wish to consider a TAFE SA package: Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis, Diploma of Automotive Technology and Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $9067

AUD $700^*

Semester 2

AUD $9068

Fee Totals

AUD $18135

AUD $700^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $18835

* International students will be required to purchase steel cap safety boots, work safety clothing, safety glasses and textbooks within the first few weeks of commencement. The approximate cost of these is $A500-$A700.

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

Light vehicle mechanical technician.

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR30620)
Skills covered include workplace safety, basic electrical circuits, ignition engine management systems, batteries and jump-starting, charging systems, hydraulic braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, emission control systems, diagnostic procedures and maintaining tools and equipment. 20 core units plus 16 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Carry out servicing operations	20	TABMH	AURTTA104
Develop and carry out diagnostic test strategies	20	TABNC	AURTTA118
Diagnose and repair charging systems	30	TABMW	AURETR129
Diagnose and repair cooling systems	20	TABNX	AURTTC103
Diagnose and repair ignition systems	30	TABMY	AURETR131
Diagnose and repair light vehicle emission control systems	20	TABNW	AURLTZ101
Diagnose and repair light vehicle engines	60	TABNT	AURLTE102
Diagnose and repair light vehicle hydraulic braking systems	40	TABNP	AURLTB103
Diagnose and repair light vehicle steering systems	30	TABNR	AURLTD104
Diagnose and repair light vehicle suspension systems	30	TABNS	AURLTD105
Diagnose and repair spark ignition engine management systems	60	TABMP	AURETR123
Diagnose and repair starting systems	30	TABMX	AURETR130
Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace	25	TAAMM	AURAEA002
Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace	20	TABMF	AURASA102
Inspect and service braking systems	20	TABMK	AURTTB101
Inspect and service engines	20	TABML	AURTTE104
Inspect and service petrol fuel systems	25	TABNY	AURTTF101
Test and repair basic electrical circuits	40	TABMN	AURETR112
Test, charge and replace batteries and jump-start vehicles	15	TABMS	AURETR125
Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace	20	TABMM	AURTTK102

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply knowledge of petrol and diesel engine operation	15	TABNA	AURETR135
Carry out mechanical pre-repair operations	20	TABAH	AURTTA009
Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace	20	TABRZ	AURAFA103
Depower and reinitialise battery electric vehicles	10	TACEA	AURETH101
Depower and reinitialise hybrid electric vehicles	20	TABST	AURETH011
Diagnose and repair air conditioning and HVAC components	35	TABRD	AURETU104
Diagnose and repair automotive electrical systems	80	TABMZ	AURETR132
Diagnose and repair compression ignition engine management systems	50	TABMR	AURETR124
Diagnose and repair electronic body management systems	40	TABNB	AURETR143
Diagnose and repair engine forced-induction systems	15	TABPG	AURTTF105
Diagnose and repair light vehicle automatic transmissions	50	TABYE	AURLTX102
Diagnose and repair light vehicle clutch systems	30	TABZP	AURLTX103
Diagnose and repair light vehicle drive shafts	20	TABYC	AURLTQ102
Diagnose and repair light vehicle final drive assemblies	20	TABYD	AURLTQ101
Diagnose and repair light vehicle manual transmissions	40	TABYB	AURLTX101
Diagnose and repair petrol carburettor systems	50	TABRX	AURTTF106
Diagnose and repair vehicle dynamic control systems	70	TABPA	AURETR122
Diagnose complex system faults	80	TABZS	AURTTA121
Inspect and service automatic transmissions	10	TABZK	AURTTX103
Inspect and service clutch systems	10	TABGS	AURTTX015
Inspect and service cooling systems	10	TAAZH	AURTTC001
Inspect and service diesel fuel injection systems	20	TABNZ	AURTTF102
Inspect and service drive shafts	5	TABYF	AURTTQ103
Inspect and service final drive assemblies	5	TAASY	AURTTQ001
Inspect and service manual transmissions	10	TABZH	AURTTX102
Inspect and service steering systems	10	TAASL	AURTTD002
Inspect and service suspension systems	10	TABAC	AURTTD004
Inspect damaged vehicle systems and recommend repairs	20	TABYA	AURVTA104
Install vehicle lighting and wiring systems	40	TAAMT	AURETR009
Respond to customer needs and enquiries in an automotive workplace	20	TABNE	AURACA101
Select and supply automotive parts and products	100	TABZF	AURSCA101
Select and use bearings, seals, gaskets, sealants and adhesives	10	TABND	AURTTA105
Service air conditioning and HVAC systems	25	TABRC	AURETU103
Solder electrical wiring and circuits	20	TAAMS	AURETR006
Test engines using a dynamometer	40	TABZR	AURMTE101
Use and maintain measuring equipment in an automotive workplace	15	TAASW	AURTTK001

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.