Panelbeater Career and Immigration options for Australia

Profile Title: Panelbeater Career and Immigration options for Australia

Alternative Title:Vehicle Refinisher

ANZSCO Code: 324111 | Unit Code: 3241

Skill Level: Level 3 | Work Experience: 1 Years

Assessing Bodies: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

Skill Occupation List (SOL): MLTSSL

Specialization: Not Defined

Profile Description: Repairs damage to metal, fibreglass and plastic body work on vehicles and forms replacement vehicle panels. Registration or licensing may be required.

Job Duties:

• removing damaged panels and parts, and removing upholstery and accessories to gain access
• removing dents by hammering panels
• straightening damaged vehicles and parts using mechanical and hydraulic equipment
• replacing badly damaged sections with new or second-hand panels
• filling depressions with plastic filler, and filing, grinding and sanding repaired surfaces
• cutting and joining replacement sections using welding equipment
• fitting repaired or replacement panels on vehicles and refitting body hardware such as door locks and trims
• may assist vehicle body builders in constructing and restoring custom-designed, vintage and other specialty vehicles
• may spray-paint vehicles

Skill Level Description: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

Available Visa Options (As on February 2024):

• 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• 189 - Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested
• 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407)
• 485 - Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) - Graduate Work
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - Family sponsored
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
• 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored

Registration or Licensing: may be required

Industries: Panelbeaters are nearly all employed in Other Services

Education Profile: The most common level of educational attainment for Panelbeaters is Certificate III/IV (84.3 per cent).

Job Opening: Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Panelbeaters is expected to be below average (between 5,001 and 10,000). Job openings count both employment growth and turnover (defined as workers leaving their occupation for other employment or leaving the workforce).

Age Group: The main age group is 25-34 years (25.1 per cent) and the median age is 43 years (compared to 40 years for all occupations).

Gender: Almost all Panelbeaters are male and 94.9 per cent of Panelbeaters work full time. Average weekly hours for full time workers are 41.4 (compared to 40.2 for all occupations).

Earning: In August 2014 (latest available data) weekly earnings full-time before tax (and not including employer superannuation) were $1,216 (compared to earnings for all occupations of $1,200).

Employment: Employment for this occupation remained relatively steady in the past five years and fell slightly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Panelbeaters to November 2020 is expected to decline.