Start Your Career in Automotive Refinishing
Love cars, colour, design and working with your hands? Automotive refinishing could be the perfect trade for you.
Why Choose Automotive Refinishing?
Automotive refinishing combines creativity, technical knowledge and hands-on skill. It offers the opportunity to work with vehicles, develop a recognised trade and see the results of your work every day.
Turn Creativity Into a Career
Love cars, colour, and working with your hands? Automotive refinishing combines artistic flair with technical expertise, allowing you to restore, customise, and transform vehicles while mastering cutting-edge painting and finishing techniques.
Earn While You Learn
Unlike many career paths, you don’t have to choose between study and income. Through an apprenticeship, you’ll gain real-world experience, build industry connections, and earn a wage from day one while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Work With the Cars You Love
From everyday vehicles and luxury cars to classic restorations and custom builds, automotive refinishing gives you the opportunity to work on a wide variety of vehicles and see the results of your craftsmanship every day.
Gain a Nationally Recognised Trade Qualification
The Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology (AUR32420) is recognised across Australia, providing a strong foundation for a lifelong career and opening doors to opportunities nationwide.
Build a Career With Opportunities
Qualified Automotive Refinishing Technicians can progress into specialist custom paint work, collision repair, estimating, workshop management, training roles, or even running their own business.
See the Results of Your Work
Few careers offer the satisfaction of transforming a damaged or worn vehicle into something that looks brand new. Every completed job is a visible example of your skill, precision, and attention to detail.
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes is committed to supporting the refinishing industry and fostering the next generation of skilled workers.
Find Training Near You
Training, enrolment and apprenticeship arrangements may differ between institutions.
Select your state or territory below to explore the available training provider and learn more about its current course requirements.
New South Wales
TAFE NSW offers the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology, helping apprentices develop expertise in spray painting, colour matching, vehicle repairs, surface preparation, and detailing
Queensland
Work Skills delivers the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology through blended workplace and trainer-supported learning, preparing students for careers as Automotive Refinishing Technicians across a range of vehicle industries.
Victoria
The Victorian Skills Gateway connects students with approved training providers delivering the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology, leading to careers as vehicle spray painters and automotive refinishing technicians.
South Australia
MTA SA’s Automotive Refinishing Technician apprenticeship combines workplace experience with specialist training, teaching apprentices colour matching, spray painting, surface preparation, and vehicle finishing at South Australia’s dedicated automotive training provider.
Australian Capital Territory
CIT delivers the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology, preparing apprentices for careers in vehicle painting and refinishing through practical training using industry-standard equipment and techniques.
Western Australia
South Metropolitan TAFE’s Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology equips apprentices with hands-on skills in vehicle painting, colour matching, refinishing, and restoration using modern automotive facilities.