How to become an associate technician
In Victoria, you can only work on gas fuel systems in vehicles if you are an associate technician employed or contracted to an approved AFSACS provider.
To become an associate technician, you must have acceptable trade qualifications.
Accepted qualifications include:
- Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship – Automotive
- Certificate III – Motor Mechanic
The qualification must be completed with an Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Other trade qualifications may be considered upon application to Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
View:
- AFSACS agreement schedule 3 statement of qualifications (PDF)
- AFSACS provider facilities and equipment requirements (PDF).
Alternative fuel training qualifications
Associate technicians working on specific fuel system types must have successfully completed the relevant fuel type modules from AUR32016 – Certificate III in Automotive Alternative Fuel Technology.
The qualification must be completed with an ASQA RTO.
LPG fuel systems
All of the following modules must be successfully completed:
- AURTTL007 Inspect and service LPG fuel systems
- AURTTL008 Diagnose and repair LPG fuel systems
- AURTTL009 Install LPG fuel systems
CNG fuel systems
All of the following modules must be successfully completed:
- AURTTL001 Inspect and service CNG fuel systems
- AURTTL002 Diagnose and repair CNG fuel systems
- AURTTL003 Install CNG fuel systems
LNG fuel systems
All of the following modules must be successfully completed:
- AURTTL004 Inspect and service LNG fuel systems
- AURTTL005 Diagnose and repair LNG fuel systems
- AURTTL006 Install LNG fuel systems
All alternative fuel systems
The following module must be successfully completed:
- AURTTL010 Install LPG, CNG and LNG electrical control equipment.
Additional training
Associate technicians must also complete any additional or alternative training required by DTP to demonstrate that they are qualified to assess and certify alternative fuel vehicles.
Other requirements
You must provide a police check and sign a confidentiality agreement with DTP.
Police check
To be eligible for consideration, you must provide us with a national police check that is not less than 3 months old.
Deed of confidentiality
As an associate technician, you may have access to confidential information obtained by the DTP of a personal nature.
To protect individuals’ rights from being breached, all associate technicians must complete and sign a confidentiality deed that sets out their responsibilities in protecting confidential information.
Your employer will ask you to complete this during the application process.
Training providers
Associate technicians must complete any required modules from AUR32016 – Certificate III in Automotive Alternative Fuel Technology with an approved training provider.
Visit Skills Victoria and search for course code AUR32016 to find a Victorian training provider near you.
What happens next
If you meet all of DTP's required criteria for an associate technician and your employer is an approved AFSACS provider, your employer can apply to us to have you added to their AFSACS agreement.
It’s very important to understand that if you aren't listed as an associate technician in an approved provider’s AFSACS agreement, you are not approved to work on vehicles fitted with gas fuel systems in Victoria.
Need help or advice?
Queries about becoming an associate technician under the AFSACS should be directed to DTP's vehicle safety and registration services team. They’re available between 8.30am-5.00pm Monday to Friday via [email protected] or 1300 309 571.