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Panelbeaters

Panelbeaters repair damage to metal, fibreglass and plastic body work on vehicles, and form replacement vehicle panels.

Trades & constructionANZSCO 3241
$1,848/wkMedian full-time pay
11kPeople employed
0%Growth to 2035
92%Work full time
41Median age
Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3241.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

The main tasks of this occupation, from the national occupation standard.

removing damaged panels and parts, and removing upholstery and accessories to gain accessremoving dents by hammering panelsstraightening damaged vehicles and parts using mechanical and hydraulic equipmentreplacing badly damaged sections with new or second-hand panelsfilling depressions with plastic filler, and filing, grinding and sanding repaired surfacescutting and joining replacement sections using welding equipment
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 3241 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

A steady field: around 11k jobs in panelbeaters through 2035

The field grew 1.7% in the year to February 2026, adding about 200 workers. Most of the jobs are in NSW and VIC, with QLD third.

Source: JSA · ABS, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3241.More about our sources: How we check our facts
11k2025
10.7k2030 PROJ.
11k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

Most panelbeaters came through a certificate or diploma. 74% did.

A university degree is rare here: 2% hold one. The trade qualification is the standard way in. These are the nationally recognised courses mapped to this occupation, with the number of registered training providers that offer each one.

Source: JSA · training.gov.auEducation split: JSA (Jobs and Skills Australia) occupation profile, using ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Census data, ANZSCO 3241. Qualification mapping and provider counts: training.gov.au, the national register of vocational education, October 2026. Listed providers are current registered training providers (private providers and TAFE institutes).More about our sources: How we check our facts

Nationally recognised training · most offered first

AUR40720Certificate IV

Certificate IV in Automotive Body Repair Technology

Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package.

See 8 providers

Providers are shown in A-Z order on each course page. A listing is not a recommendation.

Jobs open right now

11k Australians do this work. See who is hiring this month.

Search job ads by state

Each link opens seek.com.au in a new tab, showing ads posted in the last month. SEEK is a job site; we link there because that is where most Australian jobs are advertised. We have no commercial relationship with SEEK.

Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26State chart shows people employed, not current job ads. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3241.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

NSW4.6k
VIC3k
QLD2k
WA1.6k
SA0.7k
TAS0.3k
NT0.2k
ACT0.1k