RPL for Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology

Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology takes 28 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for AUR31520 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 28 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you AUR31520. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what AUR31520 involves →

The 28 units you complete, chosen from these 46

You do not do all 46. Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology is 14 core units, which everyone does, plus 14 chosen from the 32 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Worth knowing: 10 of them have a prerequisite unit, so the order you gather evidence in matters.

Core units — everyone does these

• AURAEA002 — Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace
• AURASA102 — Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace
• AURETR112 — Test and repair basic electrical circuits
• AURETR125 — Test, charge and replace batteries and jump-start vehicles
• AURHTE102 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle compression ignition engines
• AURHTF102 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle diesel fuel injection systems
• AURTTA104 — Carry out servicing operations
• AURTTA118 — Develop and carry out diagnostic test strategies
• AURTTE104 — Inspect and service engines
• AURTTK001 — Use and maintain measuring equipment in an automotive workplace
• AURTTK102 — Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace
• AURTTM004 — Assemble engine blocks and sub-assemblies
• AURTTM008 — Dismantle and evaluate engine blocks and sub-assemblies
• AURTTM011 — Recondition engine cylinder heads

Electives — you choose from these

• AURAFA103 — Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace
• AURAMA001 — Work effectively with others in an automotive workplace
• AURETH017 — Work safely with hydrogen in the automotive industry
• AURETR124 — Diagnose and repair compression ignition engine management systems
• AURETR128 — Diagnose and repair instruments and warning systems
• AURETR129 — Diagnose and repair charging systems
• AURETR130 — Diagnose and repair starting systems
• AURETR132 — Diagnose and repair automotive electrical systems
• AURHTE001 — Remove and install heavy vehicle engine assemblies
• AURHTX104 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle clutch systems
• AURHTZ101 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle emission control systems
• AURMTE101 — Test engines using a dynamometer
• AURTTA009 — Carry out mechanical pre-repair operations
• AURTTA105 — Select and use bearings, seals, gaskets, sealants and adhesives
• AURTTF102 — Inspect and service diesel fuel injection systems
• AURTTF105 — Diagnose and repair engine forced-induction systems
• AURTTL001 — Inspect and service CNG fuel systems
• AURTTL102 — Diagnose and repair CNG fuel systems
• AURVTW101 — Carry out manual metal arc welding on components
• AURVTW103 — Carry out advanced gas metal arc welding on vehicle body sections
• AURVTW109 — Carry out basic gas metal arc welding
• MEM05006 — Perform brazing and/or silver soldering
• MEM05007 — Perform manual heating and thermal cutting
• MEM09002 — Interpret technical drawing
• MEM11011 — Undertake manual handling
• MEM12023 — Perform engineering measurements
• MEM12024 — Perform computations
• MEM13015 — Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
• MEM14006 — Plan work activities
• MEM16006 — Organise and communicate information
• MEM18001 — Use hand tools
• MEM27004 — Maintain and repair engine lubrication systems

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology (AUR30420, 36 units)
• Certificate III in Automotive Administration (AUR30126, 18 units)
• Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology (AUR30320, 32 units)
• Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations (AUR30220, 28 units)
• Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR30620, 36 units)
• Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology (AUR30520, 30 units)

More RPL in automotive

Every qualification in this industry, which of them have a guide ready, and what assessors here accept as evidence: RPL in automotive.

When you are ready, see what AUR31520 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.