What does a panel beater do?

Panel beaters are typically employed by a car repair shop, where they carry out repairs on various vehicles’ bodywork and frames. Customers whose cars have sustained damage in accidents will seek out a panel beater to assess the extent of the damage, give them a quote and then restore the vehicle to its original condition.

This usually involves using metal, plastic and fibreglass to mend any damage, such as removing dents or broken parts, and repainting sections or the whole vehicle to remove scratches. Techniques used by panel beaters can involve the metalworking techniques of planishing or body filling. Any bent parts on the vehicle or its frame are straightened or removed and replaced to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive on the road and meets applicable roadworthiness standards.

Panel beater skills and qualifications

A successful panel beater needs to have the following skills and aptitudes:

• aptitude for technical activities
• good at practical, manual work
• ability to use machinery and tools
• good hand/eye coordination
• normal colour vision
• physically able to operate machinery and tools as required

Panel beater experience requirements

A panel beater will have gained practical experience as part of their apprenticeship. Panel beaters will be experienced in using body repair kits, welding equipment, hydraulic lifters and spray-painting tools. Customer quotes and insurance reports are usually compiled by more experienced panel beaters.

Panel beater education and training requirements

Panel beaters are usually expected to have finished at least Year 10 schooling and completed an apprenticeship. In addition, budding panel beaters in Australia usually obtain the Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology at TAFE or another registered training organisation. Optionally, the more advanced Certificate IV in Automotive Body Repair Technology can also be acquired.

Panel beater salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a panel beater is $72,073 per year. Panel beater salaries are fairly homogenous across all states, but panel beaters in some parts of the metropolitan areas of Melbourne and Sydney are reporting rates that are significantly higher than the national average. In addition, more experienced panel beaters are typically paid higher salaries than novices.

Job description samples for similar positions

There are a couple of roles similar to a panel beater. Take a look to see if you may need to hire one of these experts instead of a panel beater:

• Automotive technician
• Mechanic

Panel beater job description FAQs

What are a panel beater’s usual working conditions?

Panel beaters typically work in a car repair shop, so they must be comfortable operating in a noisy environment and in very hot or cool conditions, depending on the weather. To ensure their safety, a panel beater normally wears protective clothing, such as gloves and safety goggles, especially when handling paints.

What career progression opportunities can a panel beater expect?

Most panel beaters start their careers as apprentices before working in the role for a number of years. After a minimum of five years, a panel beater is usually experienced enough to be able to progress to a more senior role, such as an auto body technician. Later on, there may be the opportunity to take on a supervisor role and manage apprentices and newly qualified panel beaters.

How physically demanding is the role of panel beater?

Panel beaters need to be physically able to operate their tools and the necessary machinery, such as pneumatic saws or hydraulic equipment. The process of spray-painting vehicles can also be quite demanding. Some degree of physical fitness is therefore indispensable in order to perform the duties of a panel beater.

What’s the difference between a panel beater and a mechanic?

Both roles are related to having vehicles fixed and restored to their original condition, and both use special equipment and tools, so you may be wondering how a mechanic is different from a panel beater.

Mechanics deal with the interior workings of a vehicle and fix elements such as the engine, gearbox or clutch. In essence, they carry out major and minor repairs to get the vehicle working again. Panel beaters, on the other hand, are concerned with the exterior and the frame of the vehicle. They straighten out bent parts, make sure the frame is solid and repair damage to the paintwork.