How to get sponsored as a panel beater in Australia

Occupation list status and visas

• Occupation: Panelbeater, ANZSCO 324111.
• Lists: Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• Employer-sponsored visas in our list data: 482, 494 and 186.
• Industry: Automotive / Trades.
• Caveat: none recorded on the Core Skills Occupation List (WIDEN's copy of the Home Affairs list, read 6 November 2026).

The 482 Specialist Skills stream (salary at least A$146,576) is not available, because it excludes ANZSCO major groups 3, 7 and 8 and this occupation is in major group 3. The job you are offered must match the Panelbeater duties; a different role cannot be nominated under this code.

Skills assessment, registration and English

The assessing authority is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). For a 482, a skills assessment is needed only where the Department's instrument lists the occupation for your passport country; for the 494 and 186 the rules differ, so check before you pay for one.

In NSW, anyone doing work that affects the mechanical operation or structure of a motor vehicle needs a motor vehicle tradesperson certificate for each class of repair work they do (motor mechanic, panel beater and others), and carrying on a repair business also needs a motor vehicle repairer licence. Other states have their own rules, so check with the regulator in the employer's state.

Sources: NSW Government: working as a motor vehicle tradesperson · NSW Government: automotive licences and the repairer licence

English: you must meet the visa's English requirement, which differs between the 482, 494 and 186 and by passport. A registered migration agent can confirm which test score you need.

Pay

A sponsored panel beater must be paid at least A$79,423 (2026–27) and no less than an Australian panel beater doing the same job. SponsorTalent's occupation data puts the market range at roughly A$60,000 to A$90,000. Accept only a written offer that meets the threshold.

Who you are up against, and where

9 panel beaters have profiles on SponsorTalent seeking sponsorship, 0 of them in Australia now. Employers compare profiles, so a complete one (assessment status, English result, licence or registration, and the locations you will accept) is what gets you shortlisted.

The employers who usually hire panel beaters: smash repair shops, vehicle service centres, insurance-aligned repair networks, regional auto businesses. Where the shortage sits, according to our occupation data: sustained shortage particularly in regional and outer-metro areas — insurance repair backlog drives demand.

Step by step

1. Check that your work matches Panelbeater (ANZSCO 324111) and gather proof of your qualification and experience.
2. Find out whether you need a skills assessment and sit an English test if your passport does not exempt you.
3. Create a free profile so employers searching panel beater candidates can find you, and apply to sponsored panel beater jobs.
4. Approach employers directly from the approved sponsor list.
5. Once an employer offers to sponsor you, the employer lodges the sponsorship and nomination and you lodge the visa. For the legal steps in your case, book a registered migration agent at WIDEN. Do not resign or travel until the visa is granted.

Frequently asked questions

Can a panel beater be sponsored in Australia?

Yes. Panelbeater, ANZSCO 324111, is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). In SponsorTalent's list data it is eligible for the 482, 494 and 186 employer-sponsored visas. An employer must sponsor and nominate you.

Who assesses panel beaters for migration?

The assessing authority is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). For a 482, a skills assessment is needed only where the Department's instrument lists the occupation for your passport country.

What salary must a sponsored panel beater be paid?

At least A$79,423 for 2026–27, and no less than the market rate for the same job.

How do employers find panel beaters on SponsorTalent?

Employers search candidate profiles at /find/panel-beater. A free profile with your assessment status, English result and experience makes you findable; applying to listed jobs is also free.