RPL for Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology

Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology takes 32 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 AUR30320 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 32 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 AUR30320. 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 AUR30320 involves →

The 32 units you complete, chosen from these 89

You do not do all 89. Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology is 21 core units, which everyone does, plus 11 chosen from the 68 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: 3 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
• AURETK002 — Use and maintain electrical test equipment in an automotive workplace
• AURETR006 — Solder electrical wiring and circuits
• AURETR007 — Apply knowledge of automotive electrical circuits and wiring systems
• AURETR009 — Install vehicle lighting and wiring systems
• AURETR010 — Repair wiring harnesses and looms
• AURETR027 — Install ancillary electronic systems and components
• AURETR112 — Test and repair basic electrical circuits
• AURETR123 — Diagnose and repair spark ignition engine management systems
• AURETR124 — Diagnose and repair compression ignition engine management systems
• AURETR125 — Test, charge and replace batteries and jump-start vehicles
• AURETR128 — Diagnose and repair instruments and warning systems
• AURETR129 — Diagnose and repair charging systems
• AURETR130 — Diagnose and repair starting systems
• AURETR131 — Diagnose and repair ignition systems
• AURETR132 — Diagnose and repair automotive electrical systems
• AURETR135 — Apply knowledge of petrol and diesel engine operation
• AURETR143 — Diagnose and repair electronic body management systems
• AURTTA118 — Develop and carry out diagnostic test strategies
• AURTTE104 — Inspect and service engines

Electives — you choose from these

• AURAFA103 — Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace
• AURATA004 — Provide technical guidance
• AURATA005 — Estimate and quote automotive mechanical and electrical repairs
• AURETB101 — Diagnose and repair electric braking systems
• AURETD101 — Diagnose and repair electronically controlled steering systems
• AURETH011 — Depower and reinitialise hybrid electric vehicles
• AURETH015 — Diagnose, remove and replace heavy electric vehicle rechargeable energy storage systems
• AURETH017 — Work safely with hydrogen in the automotive industry
• AURETH018 — Inspect and maintain hydrogen fuel cell system
• AURETH101 — Depower and reinitialise battery electric vehicles
• AURETH102 — Inspect and maintain battery electric vehicles
• AURETR005 — Install automotive security systems and components
• AURETR008 — Remove and replace electrical units and assemblies
• AURETR011 — Install basic ancillary electrical systems and components
• AURETR013 — Inspect, test and service charging systems
• AURETR014 — Inspect, test and service starting systems
• AURETR017 — Overhaul charging system alternators
• AURETR018 — Overhaul starting system motors
• AURETR019 — Inspect, service and repair AC electric motor drive systems
• AURETR026 — Remove, replace and program electrical and electronic units and assemblies
• AURETR042 — Remove, refit and operate electrical components following body repair activities
• AURETR045 — Inspect, service and repair DC electric motor drive systems
• AURETR052 — Apply knowledge of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• AURETR054 — Diagnose and repair Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and components in vehicles
• AURETR115 — Inspect, test and service batteries
• AURETR116 — Read and apply vehicle wiring schematics and drawings
• AURETR120 — Diagnose and repair network electronic control systems
• AURETR121 — Diagnose, repair and replace heavy vehicle electronic management, monitoring and tracking systems
• AURETR122 — Diagnose and repair vehicle dynamic control systems
• AURETR144 — Diagnose and repair integrated engine and transmission management systems
• AURETR236 — Diagnose and repair electronically controlled suspension systems
• AURETR249 — Scan and calibrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• AURETU001 — Install air conditioning systems
• AURETU007 — Overhaul air conditioning and HVAC system compressors
• AURETU102 — Recover vehicle refrigerants
• AURETU103 — Service air conditioning and HVAC systems
• AURETU104 — Diagnose and repair air conditioning and HVAC components
• AURETU105 — Retrofit automotive air conditioning and HVAC systems
• AURHTZ101 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle emission control systems
• AURLTB103 — Diagnose and repair light vehicle hydraulic braking systems
• AURLTD104 — Diagnose and repair light vehicle steering systems
• AURLTD105 — Diagnose and repair light vehicle suspension systems
• AURLTE001 — Remove and install light vehicle engine assemblies
• AURLTE102 — Diagnose and repair light vehicle engines
• AURLTF101 — Diagnose and repair light vehicle mechanical fuel injection systems
• AURPTR102 — Test and service electric outdoor power equipment
• AURRTR007 — Install marine electrical systems and components
• AURTTA017 — Carry out vehicle safety inspections
• AURTTA104 — Carry out servicing operations
• AURTTA105 — Select and use bearings, seals, gaskets, sealants and adhesives
• AURTTA121 — Diagnose complex system faults
• AURTTB101 — Inspect and service braking systems
• AURTTC103 — Diagnose and repair cooling systems
• AURTTF101 — Inspect and service petrol fuel systems
• AURTTK102 — Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace
• AURTTW001 — Carry out soft soldering techniques
• AURTTZ102 — Diagnose and repair exhaust systems
• AURVTA002 — Remove and replace vehicle supplementary restraint systems
• AURVTA104 — Inspect damaged vehicle systems and recommend repairs
• AURVTT003 — Remove and replace automotive and marine interior trim components
• AURVTW002 — Carry out oxyacetylene brazing of components
• AURVTW018 — Carry out oxyacetylene welding, thermal heating and cutting
• AURVTW101 — Carry out manual metal arc welding on components
• AURVTW103 — Carry out advanced gas metal arc welding on vehicle body sections
• AURVTW104 — Carry out tungsten inert gas welding
• BSBSTR401 — Promote innovation in team environments
• BSBWHS311 — Assist with maintaining workplace safety
• TAEDEL311 — Provide work skill instruction

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 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)
• Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology (AUR30720, 38 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 AUR30320 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.