The rise of electric cars on South Australian roads is creating a new career pathway, with the State Government launching the state’s first four-year trade apprenticeship dedicated to electric vehicle technology.
The new Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology will train apprentices to safely service, diagnose and repair battery electric vehicles, while also giving existing automotive workers the chance to upskill as the industry rapidly evolves.
This comes as EV demand hits record levels in South Australia. Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for around 23 per cent of all new vehicle sales in the state during the first half of 2026, meaning almost one in every four new cars sold was powered, at least in part, by electricity.
According to Motor Trade Association SA/NT data, battery electric vehicle sales in June were up a whopping 144 per cent compared with the same month last year, while plug-in hybrid sales jumped 98 per cent.
More than 15,800 battery, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles were sold across SA in the first six months of the year, according to the Australian Automobile Association.
With more electric cars hitting the road, the new apprenticeship is designed to make sure there are enough skilled technicians behind the scenes to keep them safely moving.
The State Government will subsidise each training place, reducing the cost for South Australians looking to enter the growing field.
MTA Training and Employment will deliver the first program, which will cater to both new apprentices and current automotive workers looking to add EV skills to their toolkit.
The qualification has been developed in response to calls from major dealerships, manufacturers and employers for more specialist EV servicing and repair expertise, particularly as workshops adapt to new technologies and safety requirements.
Education, Training and Skills Minister Lucy Hood said, “Our state’s vehicle fleet is changing amid a surge in EV sales, driven by high fuel prices and more consumer choice.
“Creating a new pathway for apprentices and upskilling existing technicians to work on emerging technologies has become increasingly important.”
Unlike manufacturer-specific training, the new qualification will provide transferable skills across the automotive industry, allowing qualified technicians to service, diagnose and repair battery electric vehicles and components to national standards.
For apprentices like Eagers Automotive’s Sayed Atai, the shift towards EVs makes choosing a future-focused trade an easy decision.
“When I think about completing my apprenticeship in four years’ time and the cars that will be on our roads, it makes sense to put myself ahead of the curve,” he said. “Electric vehicles represent the cutting edge of this industry and I’m excited about getting hands on with the latest automotive technology.”
The new Certificate III will be added to the Subsidised Traineeship and Apprenticeship List next month, opening the door for more South Australians to train in a sector undergoing one of its biggest transformations in decades.
