Diploma of Automotive Technology

The Diploma of Automotive Technology is a one-year qualification for people who want to work at the technical end of the automotive trade, diagnosing faults, managing repair work, and supervising others in a workshop. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, above a Certificate III or IV in automotive studies. At Everest Institute of Education, the course runs over one year of full-time study, delivered through units of study with credit points attached. You will spend time in a workshop environment, not just a classroom, working on real vehicles and diagnostic equipment.

What you actually study

Expect to cover engine management systems, electrical and electronic diagnostics, driveline and transmission repair, braking and steering systems, and the workplace safety and environmental rules that apply in an Australian workshop. You will learn to read wiring diagrams, use scan tools and oscilloscopes, interpret fault codes, and write up repair reports the way a service manager expects. Assessment is mostly practical, you demonstrate a skill on a vehicle or a rig, then explain what you did and why. Some units will ask you to plan a job, order parts, and estimate labour time, which is the part of the trade that separates a technician from a supervisor.

How the qualification is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need to pass all required units to graduate. The year is usually split into two or three study periods, depending on how the institute timetables it. There is no separate honours year at diploma level, that only applies to bachelor degrees. What you get instead is a strong practical base that can lead into further study, such as a bachelor degree in automotive engineering or technology, with credit for the units you have already completed. Check with Everest Institute and the receiving university about how much credit they will grant.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who already have some automotive background, a Certificate III or IV, or a few years in a workshop, and want to move into diagnosis, supervision, or running their own business. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification in a trade that is on the skills shortage lists in most states. While you study on a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, which many students use to get workshop experience. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available if you meet the requirements. English entry is typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent, but confirm the exact requirement and the current tuition figure on the CRICOS register and with Everest Institute directly.

• Automotive technician or mechanic in dealerships, independent workshops, and fleet maintenance
• Diagnostic technician specialising in engine management, electrical faults, and driveline systems
• Workshop supervisor or team leader in a service centre
• Service advisor or estimator in a dealership or repair business
• Mobile mechanic or self-employed operator running your own workshop
• Technical sales or parts interpreter for automotive suppliers
• Fleet maintenance coordinator for logistics, mining, or government vehicle fleets

Australian industries that hire diploma-level automotive graduates include retail automotive servicing, heavy vehicle and transport, mining and resources, agriculture and rural services, and government fleet operations. Some graduates go on to further study in automotive engineering or management.