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Department of Transport and Main Roads

Qualifications for approved persons

Each modification code (for both light and heavy vehicle modifications) has a minimum qualification and experience requirement. You can use the qualification table as a guide to determine what modification codes you may be eligible to apply for.

You must provide a copy of your qualification document as well as a document that lists the units of competency you completed to obtain your qualification. The units of competency you have completed will determine whether you are eligible for the modification codes you have applied for.

Overseas qualification recognition

For applicants that have migrated to Australia under the General Skilled Migration program:

  • the application must be accompanied by your overseas trade qualification certificate/s and a Statement of Attainment or Academic Transcript
  • a Migration Skills Assessment Outcome letter confirming that your trade qualifications have been assessed for the occupation relevant to the vehicle category you are applying to inspect as an approved person.

For all other applicants who hold an overseas trade qualification that have not migrated under the General Skilled Migration program:

  • your overseas qualification must be assessed by a skills assessment service provider to obtain a trade certificate recognised within the Australian Qualification Framework.

For information regarding the recognition of overseas qualifications, contact:

  • Trade Recognition Australia on 1300 360 992 or access their website.
  • Training Queensland on 1300 369 935 or access their website. They may recommend a registered training organisation who can assess your skills against industry endorsed requirements. If successful in this process, they will issue you a qualification under the Australian Qualification Framework.

Recognition of skills and alternative qualifications

If you have prior learning or skills, you may have these recognised and a formal qualification issued. For information about the recognition of prior learning and/or skills assessments for a trade certificate, contact:

  • Training Queensland on 1300 369 935 or access their website. They may recommend a registered training organisation who can assess your skills against industry endorsed requirements. If successful in this process, they will issue you a qualification under the Australian Qualification Framework.

Street Rod certification (modification codes LH9 and LH10)

In addition to providing copies of your industry experience, if you are applying for street rod modification codes LH9 and/or LH10 you must also provide copies of:

  • a letter of confirmation of your training and eligibility for street rod modification codes LH9 and/or LH10 from the Queensland Street Rod Technical Advisory Committee Association Inc.
  • your current Australian Street Rod Federation membership. 

You must also provide a copy of your Australian Street Rod Federation membership when renewing your approved person accreditation.

Qualification table including modification codes

Note: You must supply a copy of your qualification documents as well as a document that lists the units of competency you completed to obtain your qualification. The units of competency you have completed will determine whether you are eligible for the modification codes you have applied for.

Qualification Number

Qualification Description

Light vehicle modification codes

Heavy vehicle modification codes

1

Registered Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ) - Area – Mechanical
or
Registration/Membership with one of the National Engineering Registers in one of the following categories:

  • National Professional Engineers register (NPER) - Mechanical
  • National Engineering Technologists register (NETR) - Mechanical
  • National Engineering Associates register (NEAR) – Mechanical
or

Registration/Membership as a Chartered Member of Engineers Australia in one of the following categories:

  • Professional Engineer Member (MIEAust CPEng) - Mechanical College
  • Engineering Technologist Member (TMIEAust CEngT) - Mechanical College
  • Engineering Associate Member (AMIEAust CEngA) - Mechanical College
or

Member of Engineers Australia in one of the following categories:

  • Professional Engineer Member (MIEAust) - Mechanical College
  • Engineering Technologist Member (TMIEAust) - Mechanical College
  • Engineering Associate Member (AMIEAust) - Mechanical College

and demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years after completing your university degree/diploma.
or

One of the following tertiary qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology
  • Bachelor of Technology in Engineering
  • Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering

and demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years obtained after completing your university degree/diploma.
or
in exceptional circumstances, an applicant who has other qualifications and experience which, in the department’s opinion, are at least equivalent to qualification number 1 may be considered. To be considered, the applicant must provide the department with sufficient documentary evidence such as providing suitable written references of other qualifications and experience.

LA1, LA2, LA3, LA4, LB1, LB2, LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4, LG1, LG2, LG3, LG4, LG5, LG6, LH1, LH2, LH3, LH4, LH5, LH6, LH7, LH9, LH10, LH11, LH13, LH14, LK1, LK2, LK3, LK6, LK8, LK9, LK10, LL1, LM1, LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO7, LR1, LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4, LS5, LS6, LS9, LS10, LS11, LS12, LS14, LS15, LS16, LT1, LT2, LT3, LT4, LV1, LX1

A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, C1, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2, E3, F1, F2, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, J2, J3, J4, K1, K2, K3, K5, K6, M1, P1, P2, R1, R2, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, T1, T2

2

Cert III in Automotive Mechanical Technology (Light Vehicle) or equivalent

or
Cert III in Automotive Mechanical Technology (Heavy Vehicle) or equivalent

or
Cert IV in Engineering

and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification.

LA1, LA2, LA3, LA4, LB1, LB2, LC2, LC4, LG2, LG3, LG4, LG5, LG6, LH2, LH4, LH6, LH7, LH9, LH10, LH11, LH14, LK1, LK6, LK8, LK10, LM1, LR1, LS2, LS4, LS6, LS10, LS14, LS15 LT4, LX1

A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, C1, D1, D2, E1, F1, F2, G1, G2, G3, G5, G6, G7, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, K1, K3, K5, K6, M1, P1, P2, R1, R2, S1, S6, S7, S10, T1

3

Cert III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Machining) or equivalent
or
Cert III in Engineering Mechanical Trade – Maintenance (Fitting and/or Turning) or equivalent
or
Cert III in Engineering (Mechanical) or equivalent
and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification.

LC2, LC4, LG3, LG5, LG6, LH2, LH6, LH7, LH9, LH10, LH11, LH14, LK1, LK6, LK10, LM1, LR1, LS2, LS4, LS6, LS10, LS14, LS15, LT4, LX1

A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, C1, D1, D2, E1, F1, F2, G1, G2, G3, G5, G6, G7, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, K1, K3, K5, K6, M1, P1, P2, R1, R2, S1, S6, S7, S10, T1

4

Cert III in Automotive Vehicle Body or equivalent
or
Cert III in Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations – Bus, Truck, Trailer or equivalent
or
Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship in Coach and Motor Body Building or equivalent
and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification.

LH2, LH6, LH7, LH9, LH10, LH11, LH14, LK1, LK6, LK8, LK10, LM1, LR1, LS14, LS15, LT4, LX1

H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, K1, K5, M1, P1, P2, R1, R2, S1, S6, S7, T1

5

Cert III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade or equivalent
or
Cert III in Engineering – Heavy Fabrication/Boiler Maker/Welder Trade or equivalent
or
Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication) or equivalent
or
Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship – Sheet Metal Working or equivalent
and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification.

LH6, LH7, LH9, LH10, LH11, LH14, LK1, LK6, LK8, LK10, LM1, LR1, LT4, LX1

A2, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, K1, K3, K5, K6, M1, P1, P2, R1, R2, S1, T1

6

Cert III in Automotive Mechanical Technology - Motorcycle or equivalent
or
Cert III in Automotive Electrical Technology or equivalent
and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification.

LT4, LX1

Nil

7

Cert III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Diesel Fitting) or equivalent
and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification. 
LA1, LA2, LA3, LA4, LB1, LS4, LS6, LX1
A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, D1, D2, E1, F1

8

National Association of Testing Authorities Australia (NATA) Certified to conduct IM240 testing
and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification.

LT3

Nil

 9 Certificate III in Automotive Underbody Technology
and
demonstrate 5 years relevant industry experience within the last 10 years, obtained after completing your trade qualification.
LB1, LB2, LG2, LM1, LS4, LS6, LS10, LS15 and LX1 Nil
Last updated 29 September 2023