Cert III AUR31120 Govt Funded

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Diesel Mechanic / Heavy Commercial — Nationally Recognised Training

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Duration 3–4 years (apprenticeship)
Delivery Workplace-based apprenticeship
Pathway Apprenticeship
Intake Rolling enrolments
Funded States SA · QLD

About this qualification

The Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology is the trade qualification for diesel mechanics working on trucks, buses, semi-trailers and heavy haulage equipment. High employer demand from transport, logistics, mining and fleet operators. Delivered entirely in the workplace.

Qualified diesel mechanics and heavy vehicle technicians are in critical short supply across Australia. Transport, logistics, mining and fleet operators compete strongly for trade-qualified heavy vehicle mechanics — particularly employers who value workplace-based delivery that doesn't require pulling apprentices off-site.

How it's delivered

All training and assessment is workplace-based — at your workshop, depot or fleet yard. Mechanist assessors travel to your site. Ideal for transport companies, mining contractors and fleet operators where pulling apprentices off-site is not practical.

What you'll learn

  • Service and repair heavy diesel engines
  • Service and repair heavy vehicle drivelines, transmissions and differentials
  • Diagnose and repair air brake systems
  • Service and repair heavy vehicle hydraulic systems
  • Diagnose electrical faults on heavy vehicles using scan tools
  • Service exhaust aftertreatment systems (DPF, AdBlue, EGR)

Career outcomes

→ Diesel Mechanic
→ Heavy Vehicle Technician
→ Truck Mechanic
→ Fleet Maintenance Technician
→ Mining Equipment Technician

Earnings potential

Qualified diesel mechanics and heavy vehicle technicians are among the highest-paid tradespeople in Australia. Typical earnings range from $85,000–$130,000 per year. Mining sector and remote location roles regularly exceed $150,000 including allowances.

Entry requirements

No formal entry requirements. You must be employed (or able to secure employment) as an apprentice at a heavy vehicle workshop, transport company or fleet operator. Mechanist can help connect you with employers.

Funding options

  • Career Start — Apprenticeship Pathway (QLD)
  • Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s (QLD — eligible apprentices)
  • Skills SA Subsidised Training — SA
  • Smart and Skilled EAT — NSW

Contact us for a personalised eligibility check.

Units of Competency

Units listed below are from the current AUR31120 training package release. Elective units are selected to best match industry needs and employer requirements.

Core Units

AURASA102 Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace
AURAEA002 Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace
AURTTK102 Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace
AURTTA006 Inspect and service hydraulic systems
AURTTQ001 Inspect and service final drive assemblies
AURTTF102 Inspect and service diesel fuel injection systems
AURTTA104 Carry out servicing operations
AURETR125 Test, charge and replace batteries and jump-start vehicles
AURTTA118 Develop and carry out diagnostic test strategies
AURTTC103 Diagnose and repair cooling systems
AURETR112 Test and repair basic electrical circuits
AURHTD102 Diagnose and repair heavy commercial vehicle steering systems
AURHTD103 Diagnose and repair heavy commercial vehicle suspension systems
AURHTB101 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle air braking systems
AURHTQ103 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle drive shafts
AURTTF105 Diagnose and repair engine forced-induction systems
AURHTE102 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle compression ignition engines
AURETR124 Diagnose and repair compression ignition engine management systems
AURETR129 Diagnose and repair charging systems
AURETR130 Diagnose and repair starting systems

Elective Units (indicative selection)

AURTTK001 Use and maintain measuring equipment in an automotive workplace
AURHTJ103 Remove, inspect and refit heavy vehicle wheel and tyre assemblies
AURTTB004 Inspect and service air braking systems
AURTTX103 Inspect and service automatic transmissions
AURTTX102 Inspect and service manual transmissions
AURAFA103 Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace
AURTTA105 Select and use bearings, seals, gaskets, sealants and adhesives
AURTTE104 Inspect and service engines
AURHTB002 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle hydraulic and air over hydraulic braking systems
AURHTX104 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle clutch systems
AURHTX101 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle manual transmission systems
AURHTX103 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle automatic transmissions
AURHTF102 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle fuel injection systems

Unit selection is confirmed in your Training Plan at enrolment. Elective choices may vary based on your employer, workplace and career pathway. All units are delivered and assessed in your workplace.

Government Funded Training

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology is available as government-subsidised training in the following states. Eligibility conditions apply — contact our team for a personalised funding assessment before you enrol.

Government-subsidised apprenticeship training available in SA, QLD and NSW. Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s may apply in Queensland. Contact us to arrange a site visit and funding assessment.

South Australia View funding details → Queensland View funding details →
Important: Funding eligibility depends on your residency, citizenship, prior qualifications, age and current training contract status. Do not assume you are eligible without confirming with our team. Government funding rules change — always verify current conditions before commencing.

Employers — we do the heavy lifting

Mechanist manages the entire training and assessment process. We visit your site, assess in real work conditions, handle all compliance paperwork and keep you informed at every step. You focus on running your workshop — we focus on the qualification.

✓We customise your apprentice's Training Plan with you in person — not a generic template
✓Theory and practical assessment is delivered at your workplace, not a TAFE campus
✓We coach you on supervision ratios, workplace requirements and compliance obligations
✓Dedicated trainer/assessor assigned to your apprentice — direct contact, no call centres
✓Funding eligibility checks, paperwork and claiming — we handle it for you
✓Performance management support available if issues arise with your apprentice

Ready to take on a trainee or apprentice?

Talk to our team about how we can support your training needs.

Enquire Now Call 1300 304 867
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