The ultimate guide to working as a bicycle mechanic in Australia

Would you like to become a bike mechanic? Do you dream of tinkering with tools, grappling with gears and puzzling over pawl springs?

If you love taking things apart and finding out better ways to put them back together, then this could be your perfect career.

With over 40 years of experience, we’re going to tell you how to become a professional bicycle mechanic, who’s best for the job (and who isn't), the pros and cons of working in the bike industry, and the one secret to success that no training course can teach you.

Most importantly, we'll also cover the crucial industry change that's happened since this post was originally published in 2022.

What is a bicycle mechanic?

'Is bicycle mechanic a trade?’ is often a trending question on Google.

Some people think that it’s only a part-time gig, or something that students do for work experience.

Other people confuse 'bicycle mechanic' with ‘bicycle assembler’. A bicycle assembler takes a bike out of a box, fits the bars, front wheel and saddle, then puts it out for sale. While assemblers will often refer to themselves as bicycle mechanics, it’s a different job.

For the purpose of this post, a bicycle mechanic is someone who services all facets of a bicycle and is involved in the work's deep problem-solving aspects.

The general misconception around the trade isn’t helped by the fact that, for a long time, the Australian government hasn’t considered ‘bicycle mechanic’ to be an actual profession. (More on that in a moment.)

Regardless, 'bicycle mechanic' is indeed a job, and it's an interesting and challenging one.

The process of actually becoming a bicycle mechanic?

Well, that’s a bit less straightforward.

But let's begin with a simpler question.

Why do you want to be a bike mechanic?

Do you love cycling? Do you want to learn to fix your own bikes?

Then you may not actually want to become a bicycle mechanic.

Whenever we've advertised for experienced workshop staff, many of the position applicants turn out to have never actually worked in a bike shop, let alone done any kind of mechanical work. These applicants also tend to mention a) how much they love to ride and b) that they're looking for a ‘fun and breezy’ job.

Loving cycling as a lifestyle is completely different to embracing mechanical work as a career.

Don’t get us wrong—we love our work, but it’s exactly that: work, and often very hard, physically and mentally. This is a tough industry, and it’s not easy to make a living in it.

So if you think that this job just means hanging out in a bike shop, trying out products, drinking coffee and chatting to customers about a sweet new build, that’s about 2% of it.

The rest of the time you will be greasy and solving bike-related problems.

Your coffee will usually be cold by the time you get to drink it.

Undeterred? OK, let’s keep going.

Are bike mechanics in demand?

Yes. In fact, there’s a growing world-wide demand for bicycle mechanics.

Firstly, during the COVID pandemic, many people turned to cycling. The resulting surge of new bike sales created a worldwide shortage, with shops quickly stripped of stock and consumers facing empty store floors. As a result, if people wanted to ride, they had to get their old bike repaired instead.

Secondly, as the current economic climate is continuing to squeeze wallets, more and more people are choosing to keep their current bike running rather than spending money on a new one.

Thirdly, the proliferation of ebikes—which have their own servicing challenges and require expert knowledge—has added to the need for specialised professionals.

Finally, people are increasingly aware of the massive environmental toll that comes with adding another bike to landfill, rather than repairing it.

In short, the world desperately needs good bike mechanics.

What qualifications do I need to become a bicycle mechanic?

Here's where things get interesting.

Several years back, the Victorian government dropped the bicycle mechanic component of their apprenticeship courses because they considered it to be a ‘hobby’ rather than a job.

This 'hobby' tag was not only discouraging – and, let's face it, disrespectful – but also news to the thousands of bicycle mechanics employed around Australia.

(Who did the government think actually worked in bike shops? Gremlins? Elves? Elvis?)

Victoria was also one of the last states to offer this apprenticeship option, so once it was gone, there was officially no formalised training for the bike industry in this country.

As a result, there’s technically no qualification required to become a bike mechanic in Australia.

This sounds like a good thing – no barrier to entry! – but it's not, for two reasons:

1. There’s no traditional career development pathway. Without formalised training, it’s hard to know where to start if you want to do it for a profession.
2. It also means that any chimp with a spanner can set up a shop and call themselves a bike mechanic. A proliferation of bike chimps who have no idea what they're doing devalues the whole industry. Imagine if other professions – dentistry, for example – operated the same way.

As of January 2025, there’s still no recognised apprenticeship program in Australia. However, there's a handful of course options, which can be helpful if you’re wanting to show prospective bike shop employers that you’re serious.

Where can you learn to become a bike mechanic?

When we say ‘handful of options’, we’re not kidding.

The government’s YourCareer website lists a basic Certificate II in Bicycle Mechanical Technology and the more advanced Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations.

But where can you do them?

1. TAFE Queensland.
2. Two privately owned training facilities in NSW.

That's it. Not exactly a huge field to choose from, especially if you don't live in QLD or NSW.

Your other pathway is an independent course provider, such as Cytech, a UK-based bike mechanic training platform which is now being rolled out in Australia. However, again, it’s not available in all states.

But don’t stress. Most career mechanics have not done these courses, either, and many are masters of the trade.

How is bicycle mechanic regarded as a profession?

This lack of apprenticeship or training opportunities is directly related to the fact that, under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANSZCO) system, 'bicycle mechanic' has traditionally been listed as a Level 5 occupation, putting it on the same skill level as a movie theatre usher or a supermarket trolley collector.

(Yes, you read that correctly.)

However, as of December 6th 2024, ANSZCO has been replaced by the new Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) rankings.

And guess what?

'Bicycle mechanic' has now been reclassified to Level 3, the same as an automotive mechanic.

This is a huge win for the Australian bike industry, who have been lobbying for years to get bike mechanics the professional recognition they deserve.

As bicycle mechanic is now finally classified a skilled trade, the Bicycle Industry Association can also apply for it to be recognised as a skill shortage area.

This means we may see new certifications, qualifications, apprenticeships and industry support in the coming years. (Fingers crossed.)

In the meantime...

How do I become a bike mechanic?

Currently, the main step to becoming a bike mechanic is to get your foot in the door at a bike shop.

You’ll have the best shot of getting employed if you:

• have at least a basic level of experience of working on bicycles. Most mechanics start off working on their own, and learn as they go. (Pete began pulling apart bicycles when he was 5, and never stopped.)
• have a genuine interest in the bicycle as a mechanical machine, not just the fact that it's awesome to ride.
• are willing to do basic tasks, such as assembling kids’ bikes, pumping up tyres, and answering the phone. As a newbie, you will probably not be doing suspension repairs or bleeding brakes.

Your first taste of working in an actual bike shop, even at a very junior level, will give you a good idea of whether this is the kind of environment you’d want to work in full-time.

Which leads us to…

Is ‘bike mechanic’ a good career?

Yes! There are lots of positives.

If you’re a curious person, this job will keep your brain very busy.

To start with, there’s no such thing as a standard bike component—no standard tyre size, derailleur hanger, brake pad, bottom bracket, frame size.

Additionally, bicycles and components are always evolving; the system that makes the last generation of gears work will not necessary be the same system that the next one uses.

This lack of standardisation—which can be frustrating sometimes—and rapid evolution means that each bike needs to be approached differently to the previous one. Problem-solving is a huge part of the job, and also a critical factor that separates good bicycle mechanics from great bicycle mechanics.

It also means that there will always be new products, technologies and developments to learn and keep on top of.

You will rarely be bored. (Try saying that about data entry.)

You’re also never going to be stuck at a desk. You probably won’t ever have to go to a meeting, sit through a slideshow presentation, or be forced into team-building exercises, either. Hurray! No-one enjoys those things, regardless of what they tell management.

In most shops, you’ll also be dealing with customers. Some will want to discuss handlebar tape for an hour, some are desperate to get their kid's bike fixed before tomorrow's race, and some don't care what you do as long as you make their bike work.

You'll talk to every kind of person that you can imagine and will discover the mind-boggling array of people who love to ride. Our customers, for example, include surgeons, teachers, judges, construction workers, glassblowers, stay-at-home parents, architects, musicians, and even a butler. (And we thought we worked in a niche industry.)

As anyone who’s worked a public-facing job knows, customers can be the very best and the very worst of people. Fortunately, the vast majority of people you’ll be dealing with are lovely.

Whether their bike's worth $100 or $20,000, treat everyone with respect and you'll be golden.

From a philosophical perspective, as a bike mechanic, you’re also contributing positively to the world.

You’re helping people get fit and stay healthy. You’re giving them a way to hang out with their friends, climb up Mount Lofty, crush a PB, bomb down trails, or just get to work without being stuck in traffic.

Bicycles are tools for fun and freedom, and you help make that happen.

It’s an awesome thing to be part of.

Is being a bike mechanic hard?

The yourcareer.gov.au lists one single professional drawback:

‘Considerations: stressful.’

This is correct.

Firstly, it’s physically challenging work. You will be on your feet 99% of the time. You will often be lifting heavy and unwieldy things, and frequently working in odd or awkward positions.

You will—if you’re working in a good shop, at least—also need to test-ride every bicycle you work on. This can involve sprinting the bike up and down the street while checking the gears, or riding around the block with the brakes on to bed in the pads, even if it's 40 degrees.

In addition, you’ll need excellent dexterity, strong fingers and wrists, and very good core control to help protect your back. (This is the reason why a lot of mechanics do Pilates.)

It also helps if you don’t get easily grossed out.

You will often be working on bikes that are covered in or corroded by other people’s fluids. There’s frequently crud, mud and gunk on everything you touch, and it’s your job to get it sparkling.

You will learn to love rubber gloves and hand sanitiser.

Your hands may never be fully clean again.

Personal space is also another consideration. Regardless of how big a bike shop's retail area is, most of their workshops tend to be small (unless they're like us).

You will need to have good spatial awareness and be able to deal with cramped conditions, including having other people in close proximity for long periods of time.

The lack of space can be initially hard to wrap your head around when the retail part looks like this:

... but the workshop area is this:

How much does a bike mechanic get paid?

Here's the painful bit: you will not make as much money as you'd probably like to.

People are usually happy to pay for a good car mechanic, a good lawyer or a good plumber, but when it comes to bicycles, we often look for the cheapest possible option. However, as anyone who’s felt the difference between a chain store bike service and a proper, detailed bike service knows, there’s a huge amount of underappreciated skill that goes into being a good mechanic.

No doubt part of this perception is due to the long-standing, up-until-just-now-government-perpetuated concept that bicycle mechanic is an unskilled profession. The industry also hasn’t helped; it has traditionally under-valued itself for years, primarily because we’ve never been taken seriously in this country by governments at any level. These factors have led to the general expectation that a bicycle service should always be cheap. Considering the fact that every time a person gets on a bike, they’re putting their safety in the hands of the person who worked on that bike, it’s nonsensical to expect that same person be paid peanuts.

As a result, many of the best and brightest mechanics don't stay in the industry for long when they can find better-paying occupations elsewhere where their skills are appreciated. For example, we knew of several mechanics who left the bike trade during the mining boom to go off and earn two to three times more in that sector.

The reality is that many career bike mechanics are able to survive doing what they love because their partner has a job that pays enough to make up for the income shortfall.

Going hand-in-hand with this is the concept that workshop labour is worth nothing. Many bike shops have learnt the hard way that fitting components for free is a very quick way to go broke. Not only that, it perpetuates the concept that we don't value our own time, so why should our customers?

Overall, a societal shift is required in the way people think about bicycles, and their importance—environmentally, socially, physically and mentally. When this value is truly recognised, we can start to understand the importance of skilled professionals to look after these machines properly. The industry will then be in a position to charge appropriately for these skills ($150 per hour minimum, for instance, which is in line with other industries) and shops can offer employees a wage that rewards a bicycle mechanic career. This shift will also drive demand for more skill-specific training, as being able to charge higher rates for service work will need to be backed up with a consistently high service quality.

Things are slowly changing, but at the time of writing this post, you'll never become rich working as a bike mechanic.

How to be the world’s best bicycle mechanic

If none of the above has put you off, congratulations! You're a prime contender to succeed in this field.

Now we can tell you the critically important secret that you won't learn in any course.

To become a successful career bicycle mechanic, you need to be in love with the bicycle as a machine, rather than cycling as a lifestyle.

Since its earliest inception in the 1870s, the bicycle's overall design has barely changed: it still has wheels, a diamond-shaped frame, and a chain-driven gear system. There have of course been many refinements in terms of components—and some of the technologies that now exist are incredibly impressive—but the beauty of the original concept, which marries simplicity and complexity together, remains the same because it was so perfect to begin with.

This beauty is what captures many kids who eventually become career bicycle mechanics. A bicycle is often a kid's first taste of freedom, the thing that lets them explore their neighbourhood, do stupid stunts, or just hang out with friends. Many long-term mechanics have never lost that love of the bike's duality of complexity and simplicity, and what it brings.

If you fall in love with the bicycle in this way, it will keep you going in this profession, no matter how greasy it gets.

It's kind of like being a chef. You don't become a chef just because you like to eat; you do it because you also love the process of cooking. (Chefs and professional bike mechanics actually have a lot of parallels: working in cramped and high-pressure environments, often for sub-optimal wages, expected to produce high-quality work at a demanding speed. But we digress.)

Here are some other important career tips for bike mechanics.

Learn by observing

You will see people making mistakes, especially when you first start out working in a bike shop. Watch everything. Even a terrible bike mechanic can be learned from, even if it’s just how not to do something.

You may witness someone break a bolt or crack a carbon component because they couldn’t be bothered walking over to get their torque wrench, or they didn't see the value in buying a good-quality version of that tool.

Remember those mistakes. Vow never to do them yourself.

Pay attention to detail

Some people are naturally better at details than others. If that’s you, develop that skill. It will serve you well, allowing you to pick up clues and information that other mechanics may miss, and setting your problem-solving abilities apart.

If you’re not great at details, develop your processes and methodology so you can make sure nothing vital has been missed. Checklists are your friend.

Critically, every bicycle mechanic (detail-oriented or not) must cultivate a deep appreciation for the safety of the bicycle’s owner. One of our workshop mantras has always been, 'Would I be happy with this bike if I owned it?' If the answer is ‘no’, then the job is not yet finished.

Be curious

No matter how skilled you are or how many years you’ve worked in the industry, staying open to new ideas is critical.

Remember: you don’t know everything

Lastly, always strive to be better

This is the biggest difference between a good bicycle mechanic and a great bicycle mechanic.

There is always a better way to do something. It’s up to you to discover how.

This may mean achieving the same result but in a more efficient manner, or it may mean completely rethinking the way you tackle a process in order to achieve a better result than before.

This mindset is how we've developed a lot of the skills and processes that put our workshop apart – through constantly trying to find better servicing methods, creating our own tools and products, improving processes, making services as failsafe as possible.

That's how to become a bicycle mechanic in Australia in 2025

There are some challenges to this work, for sure, but overall, it can be an incredibly satisfying and rewarding career.

If you love the machinations of the bicycle, take pride in creating a great outcome, and personally care for your customer’s safety and enjoyment, you’ll be able to get through even the most frustrating of days and still walk back through the door the next morning with a sense of excitement for what's ahead.

After all, isn't that what we all want out of life?

Don't care about becoming a bicycle mechanic but just want your bike fixed? That's what we're here for.

**Post originally published December 2022, updated with relevant info January 2025.