Owning their own car is a necessity for most Australians and the thing about cars is they break down, sometimes when you least expect it. As a result, there’s always a great demand for automobile mechanics in Australia and this is very good news if you have a qualification in the field. This applies to both Australian citizens and to foreigners looking for employment in the country.
What sort of qualification do you need to work as a mechanic
To find work as an automobile mechanic in Australia you need to complete a course in a relevant domain such as general mechanic, Diesel and heavy machinery, automotive electrical or automotive panel beating.
If you don’t have any qualification but are passionate about cars, consider taking a course in the domain of your choosing. Most courses are short and you can become a qualified mechanic in 12 to 24 months. The investment is totally worth it since a general or Diesel mechanic makes around $1,435 per week, while an automotive electrician earns roughly $1,200 per week.
You don’t need a formal licence to work as a motor mechanic.
Obtaining a visa to Australia if you’re a qualified mechanic
Foreigners with such a qualification have a good chance of obtaining a work visa since all of the above qualifications are on the Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). In other words, skilled automobile mechanics are welcome in Australia and all they need to do is provide proof of qualification. At the same time, foreign citizens need to have at least three years of work experience in the field and to be able to prove they have worked in this capacity for at least 12 months over the past three years.
Keep in mind that foreigners applying for a work visa will have to undergo certain background checks in Australia and having a clean criminal background check record is a big plus.
How to get a job as an automobile mechanic
You’ll be surprised to hear that even in our digital world, word-of-mouth works best when it comes to finding a job with a repair shop. That is because most repair shops are small businesses and they rarely bother to advertise a vacancy online. There is no need to do that since such jobs are in high demand.
If you have a qualification as a mechanic, the best thing you can do is knock on the door of every repair shop in your city. Even if they don’t have an opening at the moment, try to make a good impression and leave your CV with them so they can contact you as soon as they have a vacancy. You shouldn’t have to wait too long for that since it’s a sector with a high turnaround.
Since there must be at least one garage in your neighborhood, try to befriend the guys working there. Find their favorite restaurant or coffee shop and hang around for a few days. Be friendly, talk about your work experience and be sure to mention you’re desperate for a job. If they like you, they will mention you to their boss next time there’s an opening.