Australia’s automotive aftermarket continues to face a serious and persistent skills shortage

Data from the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance has revealed that women currently represent just 20 percent of the automotive workforce, and only 2.6 percent within automotive and engineering trade roles.
This underrepresentation is exacerbating the talent gap – particularly as Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) research estimates the industry is short of almost 40,000 technicians, comprising 27,000 qualified technicians and 13,500 apprentices.
With these shortfalls, every workshop in the nation is impacted.
Meanwhile, nearly 35 percent of key occupations within the automotive industry are flagged as being in shortage, according to the Job Services Australia Skills Priority List – highlighting that the skills crunch is both significant and systemic.
The importance of expanding female workforce participation is reinforced by a landmark report from Impact Economics and Policy for Chief Executive Women, which found that increasing women’s participation could generate up to one million full-time equivalent workers nationally, underscoring the macroeconomic benefit of engaging more women across all sectors, including automotive.
“Women are a largely untapped resource within our industry,” AAAA Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said.
“We know that increasing female participation isn’t just a matter of equity – it is 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.
“We aren’t pointing fingers – this is about partnership, opportunity, and readiness for change.
“AAAA is committed to supporting initiatives that bridge gender gaps – through promotion, training access, career visibility, and creating inclusive, flexible work environments.
“Addressing skills shortages goes hand in hand with harnessing female talent.”
Key industry actions AAAA supports include championing recognition and funding for female automotive apprenticeships and vocational training, collaborating with initiatives like AAAA Women to raise awareness, mentorship and leadership pathways, and working with policymakers and training providers to ensure working conditions, curriculum, and recruitment actively encourage women into trade-based roles.
“Our goal is clear: to strengthen our workforce, build a sustainable future, and reflect the communities Australia serves,” Stuart said.
“Expanding women’s participation in our trade pipelines is not just fair – it is vital.”

For more from the AAAA, visit www.aaaa.com.au