RPL for Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Trailer 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 AUR31820 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 AUR31820. 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 AUR31820 involves →

The 28 units you complete, chosen from these 41

You do not do all 41. Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology is 11 core units, which everyone does, plus 17 chosen from the 30 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.

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
• AURETR009 — Install vehicle lighting and wiring systems
• AURETR112 — Test and repair basic electrical circuits
• AURETR122 — Diagnose and repair vehicle dynamic control systems
• AURHTB101 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle air braking systems
• AURHTD103 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle suspension systems
• AURHTJ103 — Remove, inspect and refit heavy vehicle wheel and tyre assemblies
• AURHTY102 — Diagnose and repair mechanical connections of heavy vehicles and trailers over 4.5 tonnes
• AURTTA118 — Develop and carry out diagnostic test strategies
• AURTTK102 — Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace

Electives — you choose from these

• AUMGTY002 — Install vehicle components
• AURACA101 — Respond to customer needs and enquiries in an automotive workplace
• AURAFA103 — Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace
• AURAQA002 — Inspect technical quality of work in an automotive workplace
• AURATA002 — Read, interpret and apply engineering drawings
• AURETR010 — Repair wiring harnesses and looms
• AURETR011 — Install basic ancillary electrical systems and components
• AURHTB002 — Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle hydraulic and air over hydraulic braking systems
• AURHTB107 — Diagnose and repair heavy commercial vehicle electronic braking systems
• AURHTD104 — Carry out heavy vehicle wheel alignment operations
• AURHTJ202 — Select heavy vehicle tyres, wheels and rims
• AURHTJ206 — Remove, inspect, repair and refit heavy vehicle tyres
• AURHTR105 — Diagnose and repair heavy commercial trailer electronically controlled roll stability systems
• AURHTY001 — Inspect and service mechanical connections of heavy vehicles and trailers over 4.5 tonnes
• AURTTA006 — Inspect and service hydraulic systems
• AURTTA011 — Install hydraulic systems to specified applications
• AURTTA012 — Fabricate and install fluid power hose assemblies
• AURTTA014 — Assemble and install pneumatic system components
• AURTTA104 — Carry out servicing operations
• AURTTA113 — Diagnose and repair hydraulic systems
• AURTTB004 — Inspect and service air braking systems
• AURTTB006 — Inspect, service and repair auxiliary braking systems
• AURTTB015 — Assemble and fit braking system components
• AURTTB101 — Inspect and service braking systems
• AURTTD004 — Inspect and service suspension systems
• AURTTJ111 — Balance wheels and tyres
• 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
• AURVTW109 — Carry out basic gas metal arc welding

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 AUR31820 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.