The Mechanic Recovery is responsible for the salvage, recovery and towing of the Army's vehicles and equipment when they become bogged, broken down, damaged or disabled. The Mechanic Recovery operates a variety of specialist trucks and armoured (tracked and wheeled) recovery vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with winches, towing equipment and cranes.

• Operate armoured and wheeled recovery vehicles and associated recovery equipment.
• Extraction and transportation of vehicle and equipment casualties.
• Servicing and maintenance of recovery vehicles and equipment.
• Locating and applying recovery information.
• Providing recovery advice.
• Inspects and classifies recovery equipment.

The pay levels for ARA and ARES personnel in this employment are:

• Mechanic Recovery CFN Pay Group 2.
• Mechanic Recovery Grade 1 CFN Pay Group 3.
• Mechanic Recovery Grade 2 CFN/LCPL Pay Group 3.
• Mechanic Recovery Specialist CFN/LCPL Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Recovery Advanced Grade 1 CPL Pay Group 3.
• Mechanic Recovery Advanced Grade 2 CPL Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Recovery Supervisor Grade 1 SGT Pay Group 3.
• Mechanic Recovery Supervisor Grade 2 SGT Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Recovery Manager Grade 1 WO2 Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Recovery Manager Grade 2 WO2 Pay Group 5.
• Mechanic Recovery Operation Specialist Grade 1 Tier A WO1 Pay Group 4.
• Mechanic Recovery Operation Specialist Grade 2 Tier A WO1 Pay Group 5.
• Mechanic Recovery Operation Specialist Grade 2 Tier B WO1 Pay Group 6.

Qualified Entry:
There are limited compatible civilian qualifications for the Recovery Mechanic Basic Course.

Recognition for Qualified Entry:
The Recognition of Current Competencies or/and Recognition of Prior Learning may be requested; however, is most likely not achievable due to the vast differences between the civilian and Army Mechanic Recovery required skills sets.

Unqualified Entry:
Pre-requisite Training:

• Driver Light and Medium Rigid GS (C2/MR2) or Driver Medium Rigid GS (MR2).
• Driver Heavy Rigid GS (HR2).

IET: Recovery Mechanic Basic course. Duration: 112 days.
On-the-Job Experience (OJE): Personnel have 12 months after the Recovery Mechanic Basic course to complete the OJE workbook.
The Pre-requisite driver training must be conducted prior to the Recovery Mechanic Basic Course. The Recovery Mechanic Basic Course enables personnel to operate the Army's non- armoured wheeled recovery vehicles, achieve qualification with the 20 tonne trailer, driver licence code Heavy Recovery Vehicle (HRV) and Medium Recovery Vehicle (MRV), C and D Vehicle Ground Guide Only operation, operation of chain saws and the ability to operate the HRV mounted cranes. The Recovery Mechanic Basic Course is 112 working days and is conducted at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, which is located within the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Bandiana in Victoria.

Specialist Training:
After the competition of the Basic Recovery course the Mechanic Recovery may be nominated to attend Specialist Training. This training will depend on unit requirements and available course positions. Prior to the attendance of Specialist Training personnel are required to obtain Unrestricted Driver qualifications for the equipment that they request Recovery Operator training.

The Specialist courses are as follows:

• ASLAV Recovery Operator.
• M806AS4 ARVL Recovery Operator.
• Recovery Operator Armoured Recovery Vehicle Light (ARVL) M806A1.
• Recovery Operator Armoured Recovery Vehicle Heavy (ARVH).
• Mobile Slewing Crane C2 (Tadano Crane Operator).

Completion of Australian Year 9 education (or equivalent) with passes in English, Mathematics.

These entry qualifications are the minimum required to facilitate understanding of the principles encountered during later phases of training.

On successful completion of employment training and the on the job program, students are awarded a credit towards:

• PUA32090 Certificate III in Public Safety (Vehicle Recovery).

Postings range from large Combat Service Support Battalions (CSSB) located in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville to small technical support platoons and squadrons located throughout Australia.

Detailed employment category information about Recovery Mechanic can be found within the Manual of Army Employments (DefWeb only)