Cert III Heavy Commercial Vehicle
AUR31120 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
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ExploreAbout this exam
The AUR31120 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology is an Australian qualification, listed on the National Training Register, that reflects the role of individuals who perform a broad range of tasks on a variety of heavy commercial vehicles in the automotive service and repair sector. It suits people working in, or preparing to work in, heavy vehicle service and repair - diagnosing and repairing braking, steering, suspension, engine, driveline, electrical and emission control systems on trucks, buses and similar vehicles. The packaging rules require 36 units: 22 core units plus 14 elective units, of which one must come from Specialist Elective Group A (Heavy Vehicle Manual Transmission) or Group B (Heavy Vehicle Automatic Transmission). The remaining 13 electives may be drawn from the specialist groups and the general elective list, with up to 6 from a Certificate II qualification or above in this or another endorsed Training Package or accredited course. There are no entry requirements and no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication. Preparation should centre on the core competencies - safety and environmental practice, servicing operations, diagnostic test strategies, and heavy vehicle systems repair - then extend into your chosen transmission specialty and electives relevant to your workplace.
What you'll study
About Cert III Heavy Commercial Vehicle preparation
How many units must I complete for this qualification?
The total is 36 units: 22 core units plus 14 elective units. Of the electives, 1 unit must come from Specialist Elective Group A or Group B, and the remaining 13 are chosen from the specialist groups and/or general elective units, subject to the packaging rules.
Are there any entry requirements?
No. The National Training Register lists entry requirements as nil. There is also no licensing, legislative or certification requirement applying to the qualification at the time of publication, so you can enrol without prior qualifications.
What is the difference between Specialist Elective Group A and Group B?
Group A is Heavy Vehicle Manual Transmission, containing AURHTX101 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle manual transmissions. Group B is Heavy Vehicle Automatic Transmission, containing AURHTX103 Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle automatic transmissions. You must take at least one unit from one of these groups.
How many units can I take from outside this qualification?
Up to 6 of the remaining 13 elective units may be from a Certificate II qualification or above in this Training Package, another endorsed Training Package, or an accredited course. Chosen electives must be relevant to the work environment and contribute to a valid vocational outcome.
Which core units cover heavy vehicle systems?
Core units include heavy vehicle air braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, compression ignition engines, drive shafts, emission control systems, and final drive assemblies, supported by units on electrical circuits, charging and starting systems, diesel fuel injection, forced induction, cooling and hydraulic systems.
What should I study first?
Start with the foundational core units - safe working practices, environmental and sustainability best practice, and tool and equipment use - then move to servicing operations and diagnostic test strategies. These underpin the system-specific diagnosis and repair units, including your chosen transmission specialty.
What general electives are available?
The general elective list is broad and includes air conditioning and HVAC, heavy vehicle clutch systems, wheel alignment, alternative fuel systems, electronic braking systems, welding, hydrogen and battery electric vehicle safety, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems units, allowing you to tailor the qualification to your workplace.
What common mistakes should I avoid when planning my units?
Watch the packaging constraints: do not omit the required Group A or Group B unit, do not exceed 6 units from other qualifications, and ensure electives do not duplicate the outcome of another unit chosen. Electives must also be relevant to the work environment and maintain the integrity of the AQF alignment.