How to become a Car Wash Attendant
Car wash attendants wash, scrub and polish the exteriors of vehicles. They may also vacuum seats and carpets and clean door trims and hinges in the interior of vehicles.
Personal requirements for a Car Wash Attendant
- Enjoy practical work
- An eye for detail
- Able to work without supervision
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Education & Training for a Car Wash Attendant
You can work as a car wash attendant without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. You can also become a car wash attendant through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Additional information
You are usually required to have a drivers licence to be a car wash attendant.
Duties & Tasks of a Car Wash Attendant
Car wash attendants:
- Vacuum, clean and maintain vehicle interiors, including dashboards, consoles, carpet and car seats
- Clean door trims and hinges
- Wash and polish vehicle exteriors and blacken tyres
- Drive vehicles through automatic car washes.
Tasks
- Emptying and cleaning compartments in vehicles
- Washing and polishing vehicle windows
- Applying cleaning agents to remove stains from vehicle interiors
- May make minor repairs and touch up finishes to remove scratches
- Vacuuming vehicle interiors, and drycleaning carpets and upholstery
- Washing, drying, polishing and waxing vehicle exteriors
- Washing tyres and wheel arches, and blackening tyres
Employment Opportunities for a Car Wash Attendant
Car wash attendants are employed in car dealerships (new and used), service stations, collision repair businesses, vehicle rental firms, bus and truck depots, and car wash and detailing businesses. Opportunities are also available for self-employment.
Specializations
Vehicle Detailer
A vehicle detailer undertakes the tasks of a car wash attendant and also cleans engines and underbodies, treating them with rust-proofing chemicals. They also repair minor surface rust stains and make minor repairs to scratched or chipped paintwork. A vehicle detailer rejuvenates dull paintwork on older vehicles.
Car Wash Attendant
Car wash attendants wash, scrub and polish the exteriors of vehicles. They may also vacuum seats and carpets and clean door trims and hinges in the interior of vehicles.
Vehicle Detailer
A vehicle detailer undertakes the tasks of a car wash attendant and also cleans engines and underbodies, treating them with rust-proofing chemicals. They also repair minor surface rust stains and make minor repairs to scratched or chipped paintwork. A vehicle detailer rejuvenates dull paintwork on older vehicles.
Average age
42
Future Growth
Decline
Gender Share
17% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,145
Skill level rating
Entry level
Unemployment
Higher Unemployment
Full-Time Share
64%
Employment Size
17,900
Employment by state
ACT: 1.3%
NSW: 27.8%
NT: 0.9%
QLD: 24.4%
SA: 8.3%
TAS: 2.6%
VIC: 23.3%
WA: 11.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 8.7%
20-24: 15.9%
25-34: 23.2%
35-44: 18.6%
45-54: 18%
55-59: 7.2%
60-64: 5.3%
65 and Over: 3.1%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 5.3%
Bachelor degree: 5.9%
Below Year 10: 32.1%
Certificate III/IV: 17.8%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 1.4%
Year 10 and below: 32%
Year 11: 9.1%
Year 12: 28.6%
Years 11 & 10: 26.5%
