Agricultural Mechanical and Automotive Electrical Dual Trade

Agricultural Mechanical and Automotive Electrical Dual Trade gives you the chance to train as both an agricultural mechanic and auto electrician, building skills to work on modern farming machinery, vehicles and equipment.

Apply now to start your agricultural mechanic apprenticeship with a strong electrical focus through MTA Training and Employment.

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Become an Agricultural Mechanic and Auto Electrician

If you want an agricultural mechanic apprenticeship that also builds advanced auto electrical skills, MTA’s Agricultural Mechanical and Automotive Electrical Dual Trade gives you both qualifications in one program. As South Australia’s only dedicated automotive industry training provider, MTA Training and Employment combines on-the-job experience with hands-on trade school training so you develop real skills, not just theory. Training is delivered at MTA’s state-of-the-art facilities and in real agricultural workplaces across metro and regional South Australia.

As an apprentice you complete AUR30420 Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology and AUR30320 Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, giving you the skills to diagnose, repair and service modern agricultural machinery from powertrain to electronics. This dual trade is ideal if you want to work as an agricultural mechanic who also understands complex electrical and electronic systems.

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Why Choose a Dual Trade Apprenticeship?

Agricultural machinery is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with GPS, automation, sensors and electronic control systems now standard on many tractors, headers and implements. Choosing a dual trade apprenticeship means you build capability as both an agricultural mechanic and auto electrician, so you can diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical faults across whole machines.

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Benefits for Apprentices and Employers

A dual trade apprenticeship benefits both apprentices and employers by building technicians who can handle more of the work in-house. Apprentices gain a wider skill base and more career options, while businesses gain staff who understand how mechanical and electrical systems interact on complex agricultural machinery.

Apprenticeships Overview Host An Apprentice

Train Your Apprentice

Support your apprentice with industry-focused agricultural mechanic courses and structured dual trade training delivered by MTA’s experienced trainers.

Train Your Apprentice

Become An Apprentice

Start an agricultural mechanic apprenticeship combined with an auto electrician apprenticeship and gain in-demand skills for regional and farming workplaces.

Become An Apprentice

Host An Apprentice

Host a motivated dual trade apprentice in your workshop and access MTA’s support to develop skilled technicians for the agricultural sector.

Host An Apprentice

During your apprenticeship you will:

Diagnose and repair engines, transmissions, cooling systems, steering and suspension on agricultural equipment.
Use advanced electronic diagnostic tools to identify faults and optimise performance on modern machinery.
Test and repair electrical systems, including lighting, instrumentation, ignition, fuel injection, stability control and CAN BUS systems.
Learn safe working practices around Electric Vehicles (EV), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and electrically controlled systems used in agriculture.
Gain air-conditioning knowledge with training that can align to licensing requirements through ArcTick.

During your agricultural mechanic apprenticeship you will rotate between your workplace and MTA’s training facilities, learning on real machines and equipment. You will gain experience with diesel engines, drivelines, hydraulics, electronics and diagnostics so you can confidently support farmers and agricultural businesses.

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What You Will Learn as a Dual Trade Apprentice

This dual trade is designed to give you a broad mix of mechanical and electrical skills tailored to the agricultural sector. Whether you are working in a dealership, on a broadacre farm or in a regional workshop, you will be equipped to service, repair and diagnose a wide range of machinery.

You will learn how to:

Service and repair tractors, headers, mowers, slashers, irrigation and harvesting equipment.
Perform advanced diagnostics on mechanical components, including drivetrains, hydraulic systems and braking systems.
Install, test and repair wiring, charging and starting systems, accessories, instrumentation and safety systems.
Work safely with emerging technologies, including EV/HEV systems and autonomous or semi-autonomous equipment.

Training is delivered by MTA Training and Employment (RTO Code: 2293) at modern facilities that reflect real workshop environments. As part of the broader MTA automotive apprenticeships offering, you benefit from experienced trainers who understand industry expectations and current technology.

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For apprentices, completing both an agricultural mechanic apprenticeship and auto electrician apprenticeship means you can:

Stand Out in Agricultural Roles

Increase your employability and stand out when applying for workshop roles with dual qualifications that demonstrate your versatility across agricultural machinery repairs and electrical diagnostics.

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Enjoy Varied Field Work

Work across mechanical and electrical jobs, keeping your day varied and your skills current as you handle a wide range of farm equipment service and diagnostics.

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Access Future AgTech Opportunities

Position yourself for future opportunities in diagnostics, field service, leadership and emerging technologies such as autonomous machinery and EVs with skills that meet modern agricultural demands.

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For employers, dual trade apprenticeships can help you:

Build Multi-Skilled Technicians
Build technicians who can complete both mechanical and electrical tasks, reducing the need to outsource work and keeping more jobs in-house.

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Boost Workshop Efficiency
Improve workshop efficiency by having staff who understand how mechanical and electrical systems interact on farm machinery, leading to faster diagnostics and repairs.

Host An Apprentice

Prepare for Autonomous Machinery
Plan for the future as agricultural equipment becomes more autonomous, connected and electrified, with dual trade skills that match evolving industry demands.

If you would like to discuss how a dual trade apprentice could fit into your business, you can learn more about MTA’s automotive apprenticeships and support services for employers through the main MTA apprenticeships page.

Host An Apprentice

Training Model and Supervision

The dual trade is delivered over five years full-time, using a mix of on-the-job learning and structured trade school training. Apprentices benefit from weekly induction options, making it easier to commence an agricultural mechanic apprenticeship when opportunities arise.

Supervision Requirements

Apprentices undertaking a dual trade are required to be supervised by suitably qualified tradespeople in both agricultural mechanical and automotive electrical disciplines to support safe and effective learning.

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Entry Pathways and How to Apply

There are two main ways to start your agricultural mechanic apprenticeship with an auto electrical focus at MTA Training and Employment.

Become employed by MTA and be placed with a host business in metro or regional South Australia while you complete your dual trade training by submitting an application via Apply for an Apprenticeship.

Gain an apprenticeship directly with an employer and do your training at MTA’s progressive automotive training facilities as part of the broader MTA apprenticeships offering.

To start your application, complete the online form on MTA’s Apply for an Apprenticeship page so the team can contact you about current opportunities. If you are over 21 years old, MTA’s Adult Apprenticeship Policy provides additional guidance before you apply.

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Course Overview

1 Year 1

Safety Induction, Workshop Block, Cooling and Engines, Servicing, Electrical and Soldering

2 Year 2

MAGRI Brakes, Steering and Hydraulics, Diesel Fuel, Wiring Harnesses and Ancillary, Charging and Starting Systems

3 Year 3

Ag Transmissions, Engines and Induction, Ignition and Electrical, AG Control Systems and Instruments

4 Year 4

Final Drives, Spark and Compression Ignition, Body Management

5 Year 5

Air Conditioning, Forklift

The Agricultural Mechanical and Automotive Electrical Dual Trade apprenticeship is structured so you progressively build skills across mechanical, electrical and diagnostic areas. Training blocks are planned to support your development in line with workplace experience on real farm machinery and equipment.

Entry Criteria

To be eligible for the Agricultural Mechanical and Automotive Electrical Dual Trade, you will generally need to:

Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident.
Be currently living in South Australia.
Be 16 years of age or older.
Be in Year 11 or higher if you are still at school.
Be willing to commit to a 5-year apprenticeship.
Hold a driver’s licence (full-time apprentices must have P plates and school-based apprentices must have L plates).

A literacy and numeracy assessment forms part of the enrolment process to ensure you meet the minimum required levels. Funding through the South Australian Department for Education requires you to meet a minimum standard; if you are below this level, you will be referred to a provider to access a foundation skills course or foundation skills bridging units.

Individuals seeking access to a Certificate II or III subsidised training place or a Jobs First Employment Project must demonstrate they are at Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) Exit Level 2 in reading and numeracy.

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Recognition of Prior Learning

If you already have industry experience or previous study in automotive, agriculture or related fields, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL assesses your existing skills and knowledge against the units in the agricultural mechanic and auto electrician apprenticeship so you do not repeat learning you have already achieved.

MTA’s trainers can review your past qualifications, informal training and workplace experience to determine if credit or advanced standing applies. This can reduce the time it takes to complete your dual trade and help you move more quickly into higher-responsibility roles in the workshop or field.

Why Choose MTA Training and Employment

MTA Training and Employment is South Australia’s only dedicated automotive industry training provider and has a strong track record supporting apprentices in both metro and regional areas. The organisation trains hundreds of apprentices each year at state-of-the-art facilities equipped with modern vehicles, machinery and diagnostic tools.

By choosing MTA for your agricultural mechanic apprenticeship and auto electrician apprenticeship, you gain access to industry-experienced trainers, employer networks and structured support from sign-up through to completion. You also join a training provider that is actively involved in developing dual trade programs for the agricultural and mobile plant sectors as industry needs evolve.

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Employment Opportunities

After graduating with your dual trade, you will unlock diverse employment opportunities in the agricultural and automotive sectors. Potential roles include:

Field service technician working on farm machinery and equipment.
Workshop technician, supervisor or service manager in regional or metro workshops.
Diagnostic or technical specialist supporting complex machinery and electronic systems.
Product support or AgTech installer for equipment brands.
Small business owner or mobile technician servicing farms and regional clients.
Fleet maintenance coordinator for organisations operating agricultural or off-highway equipment.

You may find employment with agricultural equipment dealerships, broadacre farms and vineyards, irrigation and pump service companies, agricultural machinery manufacturers, regional workshops, service depots or mobile service units across South Australia’s farming regions. Apprentices may be eligible for incentives under programs such as the Commonwealth Government’s New Energy Apprenticeships Program, supporting skills for a lower-emissions future.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dual trade apprenticeship?

A dual trade apprenticeship allows you to complete two related qualifications at the same time, in this case Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology and Automotive Electrical Technology. Instead of choosing between a heavy diesel mechanic pathway or an auto electrician apprenticeship, you work towards both, combining mechanical and electrical skills in one pathway.

Is it worth doing a dual trade?

For anyone wanting broader skills, more job options and the ability to handle both mechanical and electrical work on modern agricultural machinery, a dual trade is a strong investment. Employers increasingly need technicians who can diagnose and repair equipment where mechanical systems are controlled by complex electronics, so dual trade graduates can be highly valued in the field and workshop.

Where can a career in Agricultural Mechanical and Automotive Electrical Dual Trade take you?

Completing this dual trade apprenticeship can lead to roles with agricultural equipment dealerships, broadacre farms, regional workshops, manufacturers, mobile service units and more. With experience, you can move into supervisory roles, specialist diagnostics, product support, AgTech installation, fleet coordination or owning your own agricultural service business.

Not sure which automotive career is right for you?

We’re happy to talk through the details of each trade to help you decide.

To enquire about MTA apprenticeships, complete our enquiry form, call 8241 0522 or email careers@mtasant.com.au.

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