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Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment

Sectors

Automotive Cross Sector
Automotive Electrical
Automotive Mechanical and Specialisation
Automotive Mechanical Heavy
Automotive Sales, Parts, Administration and Management
Automotive Vehicle Body Repair
Automotive Vehicle Manufacturing
Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment

Overview

This page provides information and data on the Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment industry sector, which is one component of the Automotive industry.

This sector covers the following activities:

Bicycles – This sector involves the sale, service and repair of bicycles, and parts and accessories. There are emerging opportunities in the sector, particularly for small players, such as engagement with electric bikes and personal mobility devices.

Marine - This sector involves the service and repair of mechanical and electrical systems in marine vessels. Workers in this sector operate on small commercial vessels and pleasure vessels up to 100 feet in length. The sector is expected to grow with an increasing number of people retiring with accumulated wealth.

Motorcycles – This sector involves the sale, service and repair of motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and associated parts and accessories. There is a trend in consumer preference towards more fuel-efficient transport which is expected to show growth in the sector.

Outdoor Power Equipment – The sector involves the sales, service and repair work for outdoor power equipment. There is a large variety of outdoor power equipment including lawnmowers, chainsaws, concrete polishers, brush-cutters, jack hammers, generators and pressure pumps. The sector is facing challenges such as technological change, emissions regulation, and an ageing workforce and lower economic incentives for workers. However, there are also opportunities in terms of diversifying into other forms of battery electric equipment and vehicles. There is also a trend towards repair of outdoor equipment rather than replacement, providing another opportunity for the sector.

Nationally recognised training for the Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment industry sector is delivered under the AUR – Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair Training Package.

For information on other automotive related industry sectors, visit the Automotive cluster page.

All data sources are available at the end of the page.

Employment trends

Employment snapshot

Given its broad nature, the Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment sector falls under several different industry sectors. These are:

  • Other Transport Equipment Manufacturing, nec
  • Hardware and Building Supplies Retailing
  • Marine Equipment Retailing
  • Sport and Camping Equipment Retailing
  • Other Machinery and Equipment Repair and Maintenance.

The census data shows that across these five industry sectors there were 102,456 people employed in 2016. This is compared to 94,124 in 2006.

Please note however that these industry sectors also cover other activities besides work relevant to the Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycle and Outdoor Power Equipment sector, so the numbers shown here should be seen as indicative only. For example, about a third of those employed across these five sectors in 2016 were Sales Assistants.

However, the two most relevant occupational unit groups here are Motor Mechanics and Other Miscellaneous Labourers (which includes Bicycle Mechanics and Mechanics Assistants but also other occupations not relevant to this sector).

The number of people employed as Motor Mechanics fluctuated over the period 2001 to 2021, and following a fall between 2019 and 2020 from 105,400 to 86,100, has increased to 103,200 in 2021. The numbers employed as Other Miscellaneous Labourers has fluctuated in recent years with 71,000 being employed in this occupation in 2021. Employment levels in both occupations are predicted to increase by 2025.

Training trends

Training snapshot

Program enrolments in Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment-related qualifications declined between 2019 and 2020, with around 1,400 recorded in 2020. There was also a decline in program completions between 2019 and 2020, at approximately 490 and 350 respectively.

In 2020, 89% of enrolments were at the certificate III level with the remainder at the certificate II level (11%). In terms of qualification type, the largest proportion related to Motorcycles (39%), followed by Marine (27%), Outdoor Power Equipment (26%), and Bicycles (8%). The main intended occupation was Motorcycle Mechanic, followed by Motor Mechanic (General), Small Engine Mechanic, Mechanic’s Assistant, and Bicycle Mechanic.

More than three quarters of the training was delivered by TAFE institutes (76%), with private training providers accounting for a further 23%. Nearly 92% of subjects in Bicycles, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment-related qualifications were Commonwealth and state funded, with domestic fee-for service accounting for the remaining 8%.

The highest proportion of program enrolments in 2020 for this sector was by students residing in Queensland (38%), followed by New South Wales (26%) and Victoria (19%). Approximately 39% of training was delivered in Queensland, followed by New South Wales (25%), and Victoria (21%).

After gradually increasing up to and peaking in 2016 at close to 570, apprenticeship and traineeship commencements declined to approximately 450 in 2019 but have risen in 2020 to around 590. Completions have decreased between 2019 and 2020 (roughly 280 and 240 respectively). The main intended occupation was Motorcycle Mechanic, followed by Motor Mechanic (General) and Small Engine Mechanic. The largest proportion of training was reported by Queensland (30%), followed by New South Wales (28%) and Victoria (21%).

For more data specific to your occupation, industry group or training package, visit NCVER’s Data Builder.

For more data specific to your region visit NCVER’s Atlas of Total VET.

If you are interested in extracting NCVER data to construct tables with data relevant to you, sign up for a VOCSTATS account.

Industry insights

Industry insights on skills needs

The Automotive IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast ranks a list of generic skills in order of importance for each industry sector. The top five ranked generic skills for the Automotive Allied sector (inclusive of Bicycle, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment) are:

  • Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN)
  • Technology use and application
  • Communication/Collaboration including virtual collaboration/Social intelligence
  • Design mindset/Thinking critically/System thinking/Solving problems
  • Learning agility/Information literacy/Intellectual autonomy and self-management.

The Automotive IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast indicates that technological change is impacting on the skill needs of this sector. In relation to bicycles and marine vehicles, there is a move towards wireless gear shifting in bicycles and wireless throttles in marine vehicles. Improvements in lithium-ion batteries has also increased the share autonomous lawn mowers and electric bicycles.

The advances in battery-powered and autonomous equipment is shaping the skills required of Mechanics Assistants and Small Engine Mechanic, however, as the Automotive IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast highlights, these technological advancements form one of four areas where training components have not yet adapted. It will be necessary to address the new and emerging skills needs to service and repair outdoor power equipment.

In addition, a number of projects have been undertaken by PwC’s Skills for Australia to ensure Training Packages are fit for purpose and that workers have the required skills to adapt to the key drivers for change. The projects relevant to the Bicycle, Marine, Motorcycles and Outdoor Power Equipment sector include:

  • Marine mechanical technology: ensure training is adapted to new technology that is creating vehicles and systems that are more interconnected and interdependent as well as changing consumer preferences and increased awareness
  • Motorcycle mechanical technology: ensure training is adapted to new technology that is creating vehicles and systems that are more interconnected and interdependent as well as changing consumer preferences
  • Outdoor power: to update training products in response to changing skills needs for Mechanic’s Assistants and Small Engine Mechanics, due to advances in battery-powered equipment and robotics.

The Case for Endorsement for these projects were approved by the AISC in August 2020.

The Skills Priority List includes Motorcycle Mechanic, Small Engine Mechanic, Motor Mechanic (General), and Diesel Motor Mechanic under occupations in national shortage, with moderate future demand. Modelling undertaken by the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) for their Recommended JobTrainer Fund Qualifications submission estimates a national shortage in 2019-20 of 422 positions for the occupation of small engine mechanic, 110 for Marine mechanic and 120 for bicycle mechanic. The Marina Industries Association (MIA) in partnership with the Boating Industry Association (BIA) and Superyacht Australia has launched Marine Jobs, which is primarily an online recruitment platform for employers to post jobs to a qualified and targeted job seeker market, but also provides a range of career resources, including information on apprenticeships and industry training.

Links and resources

Below is a list of industry-relevant research, organisations and associations. Hyperlinks have been included where available.

IRC and skills forecasts

Automotive Allied Industry Reference Committee

Relevant research

Automotive IRC’s 2018 Skills Forecast – PwC’s Skills for Australia

AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package Case for Endorsement – PwC’s Skills for Australia

Introducing Marine Jobs - The New Industry Careers Centre – Boating Industry Association (BIA)

Recommended JobTrainer Fund Qualifications – Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC)

Skills Priority List – National Skills Commission

Industry associations and advisory bodies

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA)

Boating Industry Association (BIA)

Boating Industry Association of New South Wales (For information see BIA website)

Boating Industry Association of Queensland (For information see BIA website)

Boating Industry Association of Northern Territory (For information see BIA website)

Boating Industry Association of South Australia (For information see BIA website)

Boating Industry Association of Victoria

Boating Industry Association of Western Australia

Cycling ACT

Cycling Australia

Cycling New South Wales

Cycling Northern Territory

Cycling Queensland

Cycling South Australia

Cycling Tasmania

Cycling Victoria

Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME)

Marine Queensland

Motor Traders’ Association of New South Wales (MTA NSW)

Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA)

Motor Trades Association of Australian Capital Territory (MTA ACT)

Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland)

Motor Trade Association of South Australia and Northern Territory (MTA SA/NT)

Motor Trade Association of Western Australia (MTA WA)

Outdoor Power Equipment Australia (OPEA)

Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC)

WestCycle

Employee associations

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union

Data sources and notes

Department of Employment 2020, Employment Projections, available from the Labour Market Information Portal

  • by ANZSCO, selected occupations, employment projections to May 2025
    • 3212 Motor Mechanics
    • 8999 Other Miscellaneous Labourers.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021, 6291.0.55.001 - EQ08 - Employed persons by Occupation unit of main job (ANZSCO), Sex, State and Territory, August 1986 onwards, viewed 1 August 2021, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia-detailed/may-2021

  • Employed total by ANZSCO 4 digit '3212 Motor Mechanics' and '8999 Other Miscellaneous Labourers', 2001 to 2021, May Quarter.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017, 2016 Census – employment, income and unpaid work, 2006 Census –labour force TableBuilder. Findings based on use of ABS TableBuilder data.

  • Employment level by 4 digit ANZSIC
    • 2399 Other Transport Equipment Manufacturing (n.e.c)
    • 4231 Hardware and Building Supplies Retailing
    • 4241 Sport and Camping Equipment Retailing
    • 4245 Marine Equipment Retailing
    • 9429 Other Machinery and Equipment Repair and Maintenance.

Training data has been extracted from the National VET Provider Collection, Total VET Students and Courses from the following training package or qualifications:

  • AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package.
  • Bicycles
    • AUR20305 - Certificate II in Bicycles
    • AUR20311 - Certificate II in Bicycles
    • AUR20312 - Certificate II in Bicycle Mechanical Technology
    • AUR20316 - Certificate II in Bicycle Mechanical Technology
    • AUR20320 - Certificate II in Bicycle Mechanical Technology
    • AUR30205 - Certificate III in Bicycles
    • AUR30211 - Certificate III in Bicycles
    • AUR30212 - Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations
    • AUR30216 - Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations
    • AUR30220 - Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations.
  • Marine
    • AUR20611 - Certificate II in Marine
    • AUR20612 - Certificate II in Marine Mechanical Technology
    • AUR20616 - Certificate II in Marine Mechanical Technology
    • AUR30505 - Certificate III in Marine
    • AUR30511 - Certificate III in Marine
    • AUR30512 - Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology
    • AUR30514 - Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology
    • AUR30516 - Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology
    • AUR30520 - Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology.
  • Motorcycles
    • AUR30812 - Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
    • AUR30816 - Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
    • AUR30820 - Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology.
  • Outdoor Power Equipment
    • AUR20805 - Certificate II in Outdoor Power Equipment
    • AUR20811 - Certificate II in Outdoor Power Equipment
    • AUR20812 - Certificate II in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
    • AUR20816 - Certificate II in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
    • AUR20820 - Certificate II in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
    • AUR30705 - Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment
    • AUR30711 - Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment
    • AUR30712 - Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
    • AUR30713 - Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
    • AUR30716 - Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
    • AUR30720 - Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment Technology.

This includes superseded qualifications and training packages.

Data covers a range of selected student and training characteristics in the following categories and years:

  • 2016 to 2020 program enrolments
  • 2016 to 2020 program completions.

Total VET students and courses data is reported for the calendar year. Program enrolments are the qualifications, courses and skill-sets in which students are enrolled in a given period. For students enrolled in multiple programs, all programs are counted. Program completion indicates that a student has completed a structured and integrated program of education or training. Location data uses student residence. Subject enrolment is registration of a student at a training delivery location for the purpose of undertaking a module, unit of competency or subject. For more information on the terms and definitions, please refer to the Total VET students and courses: terms and definitions document.

Low counts (less than 5) are not reported to protect client confidentiality.

Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. This can lead to situations where the total sum of proportions in a chart may not add up to exactly 100%.

AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package apprentice and trainee data has been extracted from the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, including:

  • 2011 to 2020 commencements
  • 2011 to 2020 completions
  • apprentices and trainees in-training October to December 2020 collection, by qualification and state and territory of data submitter.
Updated: 19 Jan 2022
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