Car Detailers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Car Detailers wash and clean exteriors and interiors of motor vehicles, and touch up paint work, glass and upholstery to prepare them for sale or rent.
Also known as: Vehicle Detailer.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Car Detailer.
Tasks
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washing, drying, polishing and waxing vehicle exteriors
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vacuuming vehicle interiors, and drycleaning carpets and upholstery
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applying cleaning agents to remove stains from vehicle interiors
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washing tyres and wheel arches, and blackening tyres
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washing and polishing vehicle windows
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emptying and cleaning compartments in vehicles
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may make minor repairs and touch up finishes to remove scratches
Characteristics
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
-
Light
-
Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow moderately
- is likely to reach 15,400 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 18,000 |
2012 | 17,000 |
2013 | 22,100 |
2014 | 12,800 |
2015 | 14,600 |
2016 | 20,700 |
2017 | 15,100 |
2018 | 16,500 |
2019 | 20,000 |
2020 | 18,500 |
2021 | 14,500 |
2026 | 15,400 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 61% of people employed as Car Detailers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 5 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $822 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $772
- 1 in 4 earn more than $950
Median hourly earnings are $22, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Car Detailers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 822 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Car Detailers work in the Other services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Car Detailers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.3 | 1.9 |
-
Around 46% of Car Detailers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Car Detailers is 36 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 12% of the workforce. This is 36 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Car Detailers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 8.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 15.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 36 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Car Detailer.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Automotive Retail, Service and Repair VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Car Detailers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 5.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 17.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 28.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 9.1 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 32.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Car Detailers who are reliable, hardworking and trustworthy.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
37%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
34%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
32%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
30%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
30%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
30%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
29%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
29%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
27%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
27%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
25%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
25%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
-
23%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
23%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
21%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
13%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
43%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
41%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
40%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
39%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
35%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
35%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
34%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
32%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
31%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
28%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
28%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
26%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
24%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
23%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
23%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
23%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
21%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
20%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
17%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
16%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
45%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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41%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
39%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
39%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
36%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
34%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
34%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
34%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
-
34%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
32%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
32%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
32%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
32%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
32%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
32%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
30%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
49%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
48%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
41%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
38%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
36%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
34%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
34%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
33%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
33%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
31%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
30%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
28%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
26%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
26%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
25%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
25%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
25%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
22%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
21%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
20%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
52%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
33%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
26%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
19%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
14%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
91%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
88%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
87%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
84%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
79%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
79%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
78%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
75%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
75%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
75%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
72%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
72%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
72%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
70%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
70%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
68%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 53-7061.00 - Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.