Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers

ANZSCO ID 3242

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
8,400
Future Growth
5.9%
Weekly Earnings
$1,352
Full-Time Share
85%
Female Share
3%
Average age
42

Summary

Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers manufacture and repair prototype production units and purpose-built vehicle bodies, and install, repair and replace the interior trim of vehicles.

Tasks

  • constructing framework sections in metal, wood, fibreglass and other materials using shaping machines and cutting and welding equipment

  • bolting, screwing, riveting and welding sections together to form complete frameworks

  • cutting and shaping panels of sheetmetal, aluminium and reinforced plastic and attaching to frameworks using hand and power tools

  • modifying assembly line vehicles to special requirements

  • preparing new vehicle trim work according to drawings and sketches, and removing old coverings and fittings from vehicles and taking new measurements

  • selecting and cutting pieces of fabric, vinyl and leather and sewing pieces together using heavy-duty sewing machines

  • installing internal trim in vehicles such as lining, floor coverings and armrests

  • attaching door trims, rubber seals, locks and handles

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Below average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
Physical Demand
  • Medium

Outlook

Employment 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 9,400 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.

Projected Change
5.9%
(or 500 jobs)
From
8,800
in 2021
To
9,400
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 4,500
2012 5,900
2013 5,100
2014 5,300
2015 5,700
2016 7,400
2017 3,700
2018 6,400
2019 5,200
2020 5,200
2021 8,800
2026 9,400

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 89% of people employed as Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers 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 $1,352 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,316
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $2,027

    Median hourly earnings are $36, 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)

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.
Earnings Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,352 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

1
Other Services
65.7%
2
Manufacturing
32.9%
  • Most Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers work in the Other services industry. They are also employed in Manufacturing.

    Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.


Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

26.4% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

29.6% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

25.8% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

5.6% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

10.9% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.0% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.3% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.2% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers All Jobs Average
NSW 26.4 31.6
VIC 29.6 25.6
QLD 25.8 20.0
SA 5.6 7.0
WA 10.9 10.8
TAS 1.0 2.0
NT 0.3 1.0
ACT 0.2 1.9


  • Around 48% of Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Queensland and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.

    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

Age In Years
42
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
3%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers is 42 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 3% of the workforce. This is 45 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers All Jobs Average
15-19 3.4 5.0
20-24 9.4 9.3
25-34 21.0 22.9
35-44 21.5 22.0
45-54 24.0 21.6
55-59 10.7 9.0
60-64 7.0 6.0
65 and Over 3.1 4.2
Median Age 42 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, automotive manufacturing (technical operations) or automotive trimming is usually needed to work as a Vehicle Body Builder or Trimmer.

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)

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.
Type of Qualification Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.2 10.1
Bachelor degree 1.4 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 3.1 11.6
Certificate III/IV 62.4 21.1
Year 12 10.5 18.1
Year 11 5.0 4.8
Year 10 and below 17.4 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 Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 46%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 43%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 43%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 41%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 41%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 39%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 39%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 37%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 37%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 37%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 37%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 37%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 37%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 37%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 37%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 37%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 36%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 34%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 34%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 27%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 62%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 49%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 42%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 42%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 40%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 38%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 36%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 35%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 35%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 30%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 30%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 28%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 26%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 18%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 18%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 17%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 16%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 16%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 13%

    Therapy and counselling

    Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.

  • 11%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 54%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 54%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 52%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 52%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 52%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 48%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 48%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 48%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 48%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 46%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 46%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 45%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 45%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 43%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 41%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 41%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 39%

    Depth perception

    Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.

  • 37%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 63%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 56%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 56%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 52%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 46%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 44%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 44%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 44%

    Collecting and organising information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

  • 41%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 40%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 39%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 39%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 38%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 36%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 36%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 34%

    Scheduling work and activities

    Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

  • 34%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 33%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 32%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 31%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting 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%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 33%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 33%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 24%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 24%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 14%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 67%

    Support

    Supportive 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%

    Relationships

    Serve 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%

    Independence

    Work 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 conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 43%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 38%

    Recognition

    Advancement 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

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 96%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 94%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 91%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 90%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 84%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 83%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 83%

    Dangerous conditions

    Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.

  • 80%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 77%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 76%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 75%

    Wear specialized protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection.

  • 75%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 74%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 74%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 74%

    Bending or twisting your body

    Spend time bending or twisting your body.

  • 72%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 69%

    Kneeling, crouching, stooping, or crawling

    Spend time kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling.

  • 69%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 66%

    Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings

    Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.

  • 64%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

Occupational Information Network
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

Back to top