The Vehicle Mechanic provides material maintenance and modification to a large range of in-service Army equipment that includes cars, trucks, trailers, earthmoving plant equipment and armoured fighting vehicles. The Vehicle Mechanic can also perform work on a range of small engines, vehicle component exchanges and automotive electrical systems.

Duties

• Servicing, repairing, modifying and rebuilding of in-service military vehicles and associated vehicle sub-assemblies and components.
• Providing basic fitting, machining, welding and light metal fabrication maintenance support tasks.
• Locating and applying technical information.
• Operating general workshop equipment (including lifting devices) and specialist test equipment.
• Providing technical advice.
• Inspection and classification of equipment.

Educational Requirement

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English, Mathematics, Science and one other subject.

These entry qualifications are the minimum required to facilitate understanding of the engineering principles encountered during later phases of training.

Note: Australian Year 10 or less for Consumer Mathematics, Mathematics in Society and similarly 'modified' Mathematics are not suitable for entry to the Army Technical and Trade Scheme.

Employment Training

Qualified Trade Entry:

Completion, in the relevant mechanic trade, of an approved apprenticeship or an approved traineeship at a recognised training institution and any period of full-time employment stipulated for that trade. A certificate III in Automotive Mechanical will provide suitable evidence for entry into this stream.

Unqualified Trade Entry:

Vehicle Mechanic Course: 18 months.

On-the-Job training (OJT): 12 months.

Initial trade training is conducted at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, which is located within the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) at Bonegilla in Victoria. This training is self paced and is expected to be completed in approximately 12-18 months. Trainees are taught theory and practice of hydraulics, motor vehicle systems including brakes, clutches, steering and fuel systems, electrical systems, transmissions and internal combustion engines. Both petrol and diesel engines are covered with an emphasis on diesel. Theory tuition covers the scientific principles underlying the operation of vehicles and combines trade science, mathematics and general science. Removal, testing and replacement of components are combined with their overhaul while the final stage concentrates on diagnostic procedures. Trainees also attain basic skills in arc welding, oxy-acetylene, fitting and machining as allied trades.

This training is followed by a one year posting to an ALTC detachment location in Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville or Darwin in order to complete OJT. On completion of OJT the soldier is posted to a unit as a qualified Vehicle Mechanic and is able to attend specialist trade courses.

Recognition for Qualified Trade Entry:

Applicants that already possess a Vehicle Mechanic trade will be informed of their employment training requirements once ALTC has mapped their trade qualifications and identified the Army specific competencies or any identified shortfalls that are required. After the required training is complete the applicant will commence any required OJT that is identified.

Specialist Trade Training:

After the competition of OJT the Vehicle Mechanic may be nominated to attend Specialist Trade Training. This training will depend on unit requirements and available course positions. The Specialist Trade courses are as follows:

• Abrams and HERCULES Tank Vehicle Maintenance.
• ASLAV Phase III Vehicle Maintenance.
• Bushmaster Vehicle Maintenance.
• C Vehicle Maintenance (General Plant).
• Kalmar Vehicle Maintenance.
• Komatsu Vehicle Maintenance (Heavy Plant).
• M113A1 Vehicle Maintenance.
• M113AS4 Family of Vehicle, Vehicle Maintenance.

Employment Location

Postings range from large Combat Service Support Battalions (CSSB) located in Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin to small technical support platoons and squadrons located throughout Australia.

Pay

The pay levels for ARA and ARES personnel in this employment are:

• Mechanic Vehicle Grade 1 CFN Pay Group 3.
• Mechanic Vehicle Grade 2 CFN Pay Group 3.
• Mechanic Vehicle Grade 3 CFN Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Vehicle Grade 4 CFN Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Vehicle Specialist CFN Pay Group 5.
• Mechanic Vehicle Advanced Grade 1 CPL Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Vehicle Advanced Grade 2 CPL Pay Group 5.
• Mechanic Vehicle Supervisor Grade 1 SGT Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Vehicle Supervisor Grade 2 SGT Pay Group 5.

Civil Accreditation

On successful completion of employment training and OJT, trainees are awarded:

• Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology - Heavy Vehicle Road Transport.