Australia has been experiencing a mechanic shortage for years, but the problem is now so bad that wait times are stretching out as long as six months for simple jobs – and prices are on the rise too.
Australia’s shortage of qualified mechanics has reached such critical levels that it could now take as long as six months to get simple repairs or even a service carried out on a car.
Despite a slight ease in the shortage of key automotive occupations reported in the latest Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) 2025 Occupation Shortage List, industry experts are warning that wait times – especially in regional areas – and costs are on the rise.
Previously, the percentage of overall occupations (beyond automotive) in shortage was 33 per cent, with fresh data showing it now sits at 29 per cent.
However, according to the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC), the trades most essential to keeping Australia’s vehicles safe, serviced and on the road remain some of the hardest to fill.
Among those roles most critically lacking staff are automotive electricians, general motor mechanics, diesel motor mechanics, panel beaters, vehicle painters, parts and accessories fitters, and auto glaziers.
VACC CEO Peter Jones said the mechanic shortage is at such a critical point, and “Australia cannot afford to ignore [the problem] any longer”.
“These are the skilled roles that keep workshops operating, vehicles safe and Australians moving — and they are still extremely hard to fill,” Jones said.
“The pressure on automotive businesses is real. Repair wait times are increasing, costs are rising for consumers and small family-run workshops are feeling the strain.” According to insiders, one in three automotive businesses reports technician vacancies are going unfilled for more than six months, adding to service delays and backlogs nationwide.
At the beginning of 2025, it was estimated wait times were closer to two months to get booked in for a service with a mechanic, let alone the time needed for any more complex work to be carried out.
Lesley Yates, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) told Drive at the time the problem isn’t just about convenience and cost, but a danger to road safety.
“Given that your brake pads and steering systems are all part of the regular service that affects road safety. And inevitably supply and demand means that the price goes up, wait longer, you'll put off critical repair and the price goes up for that too,” she said.
Key to the problem, said Jones, is changing the perception of a mechanic, upskilling the existing workforce to work on electric vehicles, and attracting more women to the field.
By 2030, it’s predicted there will be 3.4 million hybrid and electric vehicles on Australian roads – but as things stand today, there won’t be enough people to service or repair them.
“Today’s automotive technicians work with advanced electronics, software diagnostics and zero- and low-emissions vehicle technology — this is a sophisticated, high-tech career,” he said.
“We must position automotive as a first-choice profession for young Australians, not a fallback.”
Jones also said that getting the Federal Government to incentivise automotive apprenticeships would go a long way towards tackling the crisis, such as by matching the $10,000 payments construction apprentices get.
“If we fail to invest in training and workforce development now, Australia risks falling behind just as the global shift to low-emissions transport accelerates,” he added.
“Women are a largely untapped resource within our industry,” said Stuart Charity, CEO of the AAAA.
“We know that increasing female participation isn’t just a matter of equity—it’s a practical and urgent response to near-term labour shortages. Even a modest rise in the number of women enrolling in automotive trades could make a substantial difference.”
A born-and-bred newshound, Kathryn has worked her way up through the ranks reporting for, and later editing, two renowned UK regional newspapers and websites, before moving on to join the digital newsdesk of one of the world’s most popular newspapers – The Sun. More recently, she’s done a short stint in PR in the not-for-profit sector, and led the news team at Wheels Media.
