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Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

AUR20720 Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation

Who is this course for?

Designed for people who are serious about a career as a mechanic or in the auto trades, this course builds the foundational skills and workshop confidence needed to walk into an apprenticeship ready to contribute from day one.

It’s best suited to applicants aged 17+ who have completed Year 12 (or equivalent), with a sound standard of numeracy and literacy (a C grade or above in Maths and English is recommended).

You’ll need a level of physical fitness for hands-on workshop work and reliable transport to get to campus.

All applicants complete a short interview so we can make sure the course is the right fit for where you’re at.

Skills and Knowledge You Will Gain

This qualification introduces students to the automotive industry and provides a mix of mechanical, electrical, and workplace skills. Learners will gain:

  • Safety and Workplace Skills
    • Following safe work practices in an automotive workplace
    • Applying environmental and sustainability best practice
    • Communicating effectively and solving routine workplace problems
  • Automotive Trade Fundamentals
    • Using and maintaining tools and equipment
    • Identifying automotive mechanical systems and components
    • Identifying automotive electrical systems and components
    • Inspecting, testing and servicing batteries
  • Practical Servicing Skills
    • Removing and replacing wheel and tyre assemblies
    • Dismantle and assemble multi-cylinder four-stroke petrol engines
    • Remove and replace engine cylinder heads

Through hands-on tasks, students build confidence in using workshop tools and gain practical experience in a simulated or real automotive environment.

Essential Information

  • Campus delivery in fully equipped workshops
  • Mobile phone friendly theory modules
  • Trainer led classrooms with hands-on practical tasks
  • Free daily bus transfer to and from Varsity Station

Get Started

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Find Out About Funding
Submit your application
Course Factsheet

Course Overview

The following entry requirements apply to ensure applicants are able to fully engage in the course and have the required learning capacity to meeting the course requirements.

Learners must:

  • be committed to pursue a career in the Automotive industry
  • be aged 15 years or over (in line with funding eligibility); applicants aged 17+ who have completed Year 12 will generally be best suited to the pace and demands of the course
  • hold a minimum of a Year 10 School education (or equivalent)
  • have a level of physical fitness to be able to handle tools, equipment and materials, work outside for long periods of time
  • be able to commit to the course duration and time commitment (including extra course duration if required)

All applicants complete a short interview as part of the enrolment process, so we can make sure the course is the right fit. Younger applicants or those still exploring their career options are welcome to apply — where the course isn’t the best fit, we’re happy to point you toward other GCTC or Workforce Australia programs with more support built in.

12 units of competency:

7 core units
5 elective units

AURAEA002 Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workshop
AURAFA103 Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace
AURAFA104 Resolve routine problems in an automotive workplace
AURASA102 Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace
AURETR103 Identify automotive electrical systems and components
AURLTA101 Identify automotive mechanical systems and components
AURTTK102 Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace
AURETR112 Test and repair basic electrical circuits 
AURETR115 Inspect, test and service batteries
AURTTJ003 Remove and replace wheel and tyre assemblies.

AURTTE008 Dismantle and assemble multi-cylinder four-stroke petrol engines

AURTTE009 Remove and replace engine cylinder heads 

Our next programs are available at our Burleigh Heads Campus on the following dates:

  • 14th September 2026 (3 weeks full-time) + 5 Mondays 
  • 23rd November 2026 (4 weeks full-time )
  • 11th January 2027 (3 weeks full-time) + 5 Mondays

Courses are delivered in one of two formats:

  • 4 weeks full-time, or
  • 3 weeks full-time, followed by one full day each Monday for the next 5 weeks

Courses generally commence during school holiday periods.

Fee For Service:

$2500

For more information about course subsidy and eligibility, please refer to the Course Factsheet and the Fees, Funding and Subsidies tab.

Pathways

Career Outcomes

This pre-apprenticeship qualification prepares students for entry-level employment or further training in the automotive industry. Graduates may pursue roles such as:

  • Vehicle service assistant
  • Automotive workshop assistant
  • Parts interpreter assistant
  • Trade assistant in light or heavy vehicle service and repair

It also provides an excellent preparation for an apprenticeship in automotive mechanical, automotive electrical, or specialist automotive trades.

Study Pathways

On completion of this course, graduates can:

  • Progress into an Automotive Apprenticeship such as:
    • Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
    • Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
    • Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
  • Build skills for related qualifications in automotive air-conditioning, outdoor power equipment, or marine mechanical trades.
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