Prepare your RPL portfolio/RPL evidence guides
Automotive
Light Vehicle Mechanic (AUR30620) — RPL Evidence Portfolio Guide
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Step-by-step preparation guide for building a decision-ready RPL evidence portfolio for independent RTO evaluation.
Last updated 7 September 2026
Who this guide is for
- Mechanics with hands-on light vehicle experience but no Australian trade certificate
- Overseas-trained technicians preparing for a skills assessment or licence application
- Workshop staff who have been doing the work for years under someone else's licence
1. Visual evidence guidelines (photos & videos)
To satisfy independent RTO assessment criteria, submit 20 clear workplace photos and 20 video clips (about 30 seconds each).
Capture the work as you do it during a normal working week. Spread the tasks across several days and several jobs so the portfolio reads like real output, not a staged photo session.
Option E — Advanced electronic diagnostics
Mandatory- Electronic steering diagnostics
- Manual transmission repair
- Battery and charging system testing
- Scan tool diagnostics and fault code interpretation
Option A — Core mechanical repair
3 to 4 tasks- Engine repair or overhaul
- Brake system service and repair
- Fuel system work
- Steering and wheel alignment
Option B — Electrical and climate systems
3 to 4 tasks- Wiring harness repair
- Engine management diagnostics
- HVAC servicing and leak testing
Option C — Driveline, batteries and inspections
3 to 4 tasks- Suspension repair or replacement
- Clutch replacement
- Battery replacement and testing
- Safety inspection operations
Option D — Hydraulics, cooling and fabrication
3 to 4 tasks- Hydraulic brake system repair
- Cooling system diagnosis and repair
- Forced-induction (turbo or supercharger) repairs
- Welding and fabrication tasks
2. Acceptable vs unacceptable visual evidence
Acceptable evidence (do this)
Unacceptable evidence (avoid this)
3. Supporting documents checklist
- Photo identification (passport or Australian driver licence)
- Résumé with every automotive role, dates and employer details
- Employment references on company letterhead listing the tasks performed
- Payslips, PAYG summaries or tax records covering the claimed period
- Overseas qualifications, transcripts or trade certificates, with certified translations
- Licences and tickets you hold (driver licence, AC refrigerant handling, white card)
- Job cards, invoices or work orders with your name on them
4. How to organise and submit your portfolio
1. Collect over several weeks
Take photos and clips as the jobs come up. Trying to capture everything in one day almost always produces evidence that looks staged.
2. Name every file clearly
Use a pattern like OptionA_Task_Site_01.jpg so the assessor can match each file to a task without guessing.
3. Sort into folders by option
One folder per option, with the photos and videos for that option inside it.
4. Add a one-line description per task
A simple list: task name, site or job, what the requirement was and what you did. This is what turns images into assessable evidence.
5. Attach your documents
Keep identification, references and pay records in a separate folder so nothing gets missed.
6. Submit and stay available
The assessor may call for a competency conversation. Be ready to talk through any task in your portfolio in detail.
5. Why portfolios get sent back
- Option E tasks missing — the single most common reason this portfolio is returned
- The candidate is not identifiable in the images
- Evidence covers servicing only, with no diagnostic or repair depth
- No supporting employment evidence to confirm the work was paid and supervised
- Videos too short, or with no explanation of what is happening
- Files duplicated across options to make up the numbers
6. Questions we get asked
What if I cannot take photos on site?
Ask your supervisor or site manager for written permission first — most agree once they know it is for a qualification. If they refuse, talk to us: there are alternative evidence routes, including supervised practical assessment.
Can I use work from a previous employer?
Yes, if you can support it with references and pay records, but you will still need current visual evidence of your hands-on skill.
How much experience do I need?
As a rule of thumb, assessors look for at least three years of relevant paid experience for a Certificate III pathway. Less than that and we will usually recommend a gap-training plan first.
Who makes the final decision?
An independent registered training organisation. Skills Connect prepares and reviews your evidence; we do not assess or issue the qualification.
Not sure your evidence is strong enough?
Take the free skills check, or book a call and we'll review what you already have before you spend weeks collecting the wrong things.
See the full Light Vehicle Mechanic pathway page for qualification, licence and visa outcomes.
Skills Connect (EDUTEK PTY LTD) prepares and reviews RPL evidence. Assessment and certification are carried out by an independent registered training organisation or assessing authority.
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