Melbourne TAFE inaugurates electric motorcycle training

The Melbourne-based Kangan Institute has launched an Australian-first pilot program to train technicians in the safe inspection and servicing of electric motorcycles.

Delivered at Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence in the Docklands, the four-day pilot program was trialled in September 2025 with plans for it to become part of the TAFE’s ongoing course offerings for technicians seeking to upskill.

The training, thanks to a $534,995 investment through the Victorian Government’s Workforce Training Innovation Fund, addresses a critical skills gap as Victoria moves to electrify its transport system.

The pilot involved 10 participants, including TAFE trainers from across Australia (including Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia), and technicians from industry partner Savic Motorcycles.

Savic Motorcycles has supported the initiative as a key industry partner, collaborating with Kangan Institute to make electric motorcycles available for training and contributing valuable expertise to the program.

The program focuses on equipping technicians with essential safety protocols to manage the serious safety risks posed by high-voltage systems – starting with how to safely disable the system to make the vehicle safe to work on.

The program covers servicing requirements, high-voltage batteries and safety systems, ensuring technicians are fully prepared to work confidently and competently on electric motorcycles.

Kangan Institute has built this program on the existing electric vehicle inspection and servicing protocols, with plans to expand to include a skill set in diagnosis and repair as it helps to future-proof the automotive workforce.