How to become a Vehicle Detailer

Also called: Car Detailer

Washes and cleans exteriors and interiors of vehicles, and touches up paint work, glass and upholstery to prepare them for private or commercial usage, sale or rent.

Main tasks

• Inspects vehicles to identify areas that require cleaning and detailing
• Consults with customers regarding detailing services and provides quotes
• Washes and cleans the exteriors of vehicles using appropriate cleaning agents and equipment
• Vacuums, cleans and removes stains and odours from the interiors of vehicles, including seats, carpets and upholstery
• Cleans and polishes windows, mirrors, other glass surfaces, chrome and other metal surfaces of vehicles
• Touches up paint work on vehicles to restore their appearance
• Performs final inspections to ensure vehicles are clean and presentable for private or commercial usage, sale or rent

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Automotive and Marine Trimming Technology (AUR32320); Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology (AUR32420); Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology (AUR20920); Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology (AUR20520); Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Service and Repair (MSM31022)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $64,480 a year
• About 17,400 people work in this job group now, and about 17,700 are projected by 2035. (+1.8%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Commercial Housekeeper
• Commercial Cleaner
• Domestic Cleaner
• Drycleaner
• Laundry Worker
• Domestic Housekeeper

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Vehicle Detailer?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Automotive and Marine Trimming Technology; Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology.

How much does a Vehicle Detailer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $64,480 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Vehicle Detailer a growing career in Australia?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 17,400 people now and 17,700 later (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Vehicle Detailer?

Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Automotive and Marine Trimming Technology; Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology.

Will AI change the work of a Vehicle Detailer?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04