RPL Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology

Last Updated on October 22, 2025 by Ozlinks Education

Transform your skills and experience as a vehicle spray painter into a recognised Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning program in Australia. By having your existing skills and knowledge acknowledged, you can save both time and money on training courses.

Let’s get your skills certified!

Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology

The AUR32420 – Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology qualifications reflect the role of a vehicle spray painter, who performs a wide range of tasks on prepare the vehicle’s surface, mix and match paints, and apply coatings to achieve a high-quality and durable finish. Responsibilities include sanding, filling dents, masking areas, applying primer and finishing coats, and performing final touch-ups through polishing and waxing. Graduates can explore diverse career pathways in the industry, thereby contributing to the efficient operation of automotive services.

The students are required to demonstrate competence in 30 competency units, which include both core and selective units.

  • 18 core units
  • 12 elective units

Job title

  • Vehicle Painter

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Find out if you qualify for this certificate

Why do I need the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology?

Acquiring the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology can significantly improve your employment opportunities and income potential in the Australian job market. This qualification provides you with crucial skills and knowledge, enhancing your competitiveness as a candidate and enabling you to function as a certified vehicle spray painter in any automotive workshop.

Migrants may need to acquire the Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology to meet the migration skills assessment requirements for general skilled migration visa applications, particularly for the role of vehicle spray painter.

Ozlinks Education is an educational agency dedicated to helping you convert your skills and professional experience as a vehicle spray painter into a formal Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology. Our Registered Training Organisation partners offer a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program to facilitate this conversion. Our specialised team will evaluate your individual circumstances and provide tailored assistance to help you obtain the qualifications you need to advance your career.

Skills Assessment Support

What does a vehicle spray painter do?

A vehicle spray painter prepares surfaces of vehicles, matches and mixes colours and applies paint

Their job involves:

  • removing rough spots on vehicle panels
  • sanding surfaces by hand and with power sanders
  • masking areas not to be painted with tape and paper
  • colour matching and mixing paints to match paint shades, and selecting pre-mixed paint
  • applying primer and finishing coats using spray-guns, and sanding surfaces between coats
  • touching up paintwork and applying polish to vehicles
  • removing masking papers, and waxing and polishing finished paintwork
  • painting signs and artwork on vehicles
  • treating vehicles with rust-proofing chemicals
rpl certificate iii in automotive refinishing technology
rpl certificate iii in automotive refinishing technology

What is Recognition of Prior Learning?

The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), overseen by the Department of Education in collaboration with the states and territories, ensures that all students have the right to have their prior education, relevant work experience, and training recognised. This facilitates their progression towards and between qualifications.

Each registered training organisation (RTO) has its own policies and procedures for assessing your eligibility for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), although the fundamental principles remain consistent. The experience and skills you have acquired through your work can help you complete a qualification more quickly, thereby reducing the time commitment required to undertake a course and bringing you closer to your desired career.

The advantages of using RPL program

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program offer numerous benefits, including time and cost savings by validating existing skills and experience, expedited qualification achievement, and improved employment prospects. RPL program helps you:

  • There is no need to relearn what you already know.
  • It saves both your time and tuition fees.
  • Assist you in achieving your career change objectives in Australia.
  • Gaining an Australian qualification requires less time.
  • You do not need to attend classes or redo the training you have already completed.
  • Open new career opportunities in the automotive industry.
  • Obtain a qualification to satisfy the visa or skills assessment requirements.

Evidence requirements

Below is the general list of documents that you are required to provide to support your RPL assessment application:

  • 100 points of identification documents (ID)
  • A current resume outlines your relevant employment history
  • Student USI number
  • Evidence of employment indicates that you have been working at the hospitality management level, including an employment reference letter, an employment contract, payslips, an income statement, and superannuation.
  • Workplace photos and videos that showcase you performing your tasks in accordance with the job duties outlined above demonstrate your competency in the relevant qualification.

Note: Additional gap training may be necessary to address any areas for improvement and to ensure a positive assessment outcome. An RTO assessor might conduct a competency interview with you to identify any existing training gaps.

What automotive qualification are you looking for?

Achieve recognition for your skills and professional expertise in the automotive sector, specifically as light vehicle motor mechanics, diesel motor mechanics, and automotive electricians, by obtaining a Certificate III through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment. Check if you qualify for one of the following certificates!

The RPL process is done in 3 simple steps.

The RPL process consists of three stages and typically takes between six and eight weeks to complete from the time an applicant applies to an RPL assessment institute. During this period, applicants gather evidence of their skills and experiences, which is then evaluated against the relevant qualifications. This thorough process ensures that the recognition of prior learning accurately reflects the applicant's capabilities and knowledge.

Register / Enrolment

Step 1: During the enrolment stage, you will have to demonstrate your skill level in relation to your chosen qualification by completing a self-assessment related to the required skills and knowledge to determine the relevance of the RPL pathway.

Assessment/ Evidence Review

Step 2: The RPL assessor will give you tests in the subjects of your applied qualification to find out what skills you have and match them to the skills needed to work in the industry and for the qualification you have chosen.

You will need to provide proof of the necessary documents, photos, and videos to show that you know how each subject in your qualification.

Result

Step 3: If you meet all units of competency under the qualification, you will be issued with a Certificate and Statement of Results.

Register / Enrolment

Step 1: During the enrolment stage, you will have to demonstrate your skill level in relation to your chosen qualification by completing a self-assessment related to the required skills and knowledge to determine the relevance of the RPL pathway.

Assessment/ Evidence Review

Step 2: The RPL assessor will give you tests in the subjects of your applied qualification to find out what skills you have and match them to the skills needed to work in the industry and for the qualification you have chosen.

You will need to provide proof of the necessary documents, photos, and videos to show that you know how each subject in your qualification.

Result

Step 3: If you meet all units of competency under the qualification, you will be issued with a Certificate and Statement of Results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions from our customers. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ozlinks Education via the contact form.

What is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows higher education institutions to formally recognise the knowledge, skills, and experience you already have, even if they were gained outside traditional education.

Why should you consider RPL program?

The RPL program is generally a faster method of obtaining an Australian Certificate III or IV qualification compared to completing a formal training course, as it recognizes your prior work experience and overseas qualifications.

Does RPL assessment meet learning program standards?

Yes. The RPL evaluation process is just as thorough as any other evaluation. But the evidence you need to show may be different from what is usually asked in a class assessment.

When the criteria for each of the subjects are met, a degree may be partially or fully accredited. For example, only completed subjects can be counted towards the qualification.

Even if your credits aren't enough to qualify, you can still receive written certification of the courses you've completed.

This will depend on the complexity of your qualification, how many subjects you apply for and how long it takes you to gather proof of work experience, collate and submit proof. Usually, the RPL process is 6 to 8 weeks from the date of application to the RPL assessment institute and also depends on your industry and qualifications.

Disclaimer:

Ozlinks Education is an independent education agent and counsellor dedicated to assisting students and individuals with course enrolment, skills assessments, and recognition of prior learning services. We connect students with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to help facilitate their participation in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program.

Our Registered Training Organization's (RTO) partners are responsible for delivering all RPL programs. These RTOs have sole authority over the awarding of RPL qualifications and are committed to following their formal assessment procedures.

Although every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information, Ozlinks Education offers no warranties, either express or implied, regarding the accuracy of the content in this section. All materials are intended for general informational purposes only. Please contact us for advice on your specific RPL certificate eligibility and requirements.

Disclaimer:

Ozlinks Education operates as an education agent. We are an independent education counsellor, helping with course enrolment, skills assessments, and consultations to help students prepare the necessary portfolios and evidence documents for their RPL applications.

Our Registered Training Organization's (RTO) partners are responsible for delivering all RPL programs. These RTOs have sole authority over the awarding of RPL qualifications and are committed to following their formal assessment procedures.

Although every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information, Ozlinks Education offers no warranties, either express or implied, regarding the accuracy of the content in this section. All materials are intended for general informational purposes only. Please contact us for advice on your specific RPL certificate eligibility and requirements.