Panelbeaters
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Panelbeaters repair damage to metal, fibreglass and plastic body work on vehicles, and form replacement vehicle panels.
Also known as: Collision Repairer.
A certificate III or IV in automotive body repair technology or another relevant panel beating course is usually needed to work as a Panelbeater. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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removing damaged panels and parts, and removing upholstery and accessories to gain access
-
removing dents by hammering panels
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straightening damaged vehicles and parts using mechanical and hydraulic equipment
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replacing badly damaged sections with new or second-hand panels
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filling depressions with plastic filler, and filing, grinding and sanding repaired surfaces
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cutting and joining replacement sections using welding equipment
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fitting repaired or replacement panels on vehicles and refitting body hardware such as door locks and trims
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may assist vehicle body builders in constructing and restoring custom-designed, vintage and other specialty vehicles
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may spray-paint vehicles
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Practical
-
Medium
-
Heavy
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 strongly
- is likely to reach 10,900 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 | 13,600 |
2012 | 13,400 |
2013 | 24,000 |
2014 | 14,900 |
2015 | 13,300 |
2016 | 17,900 |
2017 | 15,700 |
2018 | 12,500 |
2019 | 9,800 |
2020 | 11,500 |
2021 | 9,900 |
2026 | 10,900 |
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 89% of people employed as Panelbeaters work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 23 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,520 per week, this is lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,284
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,659
Median hourly earnings are $38, this is similar to 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 | Panelbeaters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,520 | 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 Panelbeaters work in the Other services industry.
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 | Panelbeaters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.1 | 1.9 |
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Around 43% of Panelbeaters live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Melbourne - North East.
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 Panelbeaters is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 2% of the workforce. This is 46 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 | Panelbeaters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 10.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 20.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.3 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 23.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.4 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 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
A certificate III or IV in automotive body repair technology or another relevant panel beating course is usually needed to work as a Panelbeater. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Automotive Retail, Service and Repair and Automotive Manufacturing Sector VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Panelbeaters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.1 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 0.8 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 1.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 78.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 6.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 2.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 9.6 | 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 Panelbeaters who are reliable, trustworthy and responsible.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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46%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
37%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
37%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
37%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
34%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
34%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
27%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
62%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
49%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
42%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
42%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
38%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
36%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
35%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
35%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
30%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
30%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
28%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
26%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
18%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
18%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
17%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
16%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
16%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
13%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
-
11%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
54%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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52%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
48%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
48%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
48%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
46%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
41%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
39%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
63%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
56%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
56%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
52%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
46%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
44%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
44%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
44%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
41%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
40%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
39%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
39%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
38%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
36%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
36%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
34%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
34%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
33%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
32%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
31%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
33%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
67%
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.
-
62%
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.
-
57%
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.
-
50%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
38%
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
-
96%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
94%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
91%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
90%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
84%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
83%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
83%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
77%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
76%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
75%
Wear specialized protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection.
-
75%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
74%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
74%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
74%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
72%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
69%
Kneeling, crouching, stooping, or crawlingSpend time kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling.
-
69%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
66%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
64%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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, 49-3021.00 - Automotive Body and Related Repairers.
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.