How to become a car sales consultant (dealership sales) in Australia

A car sales consultant helps customers find, buy and finance vehicles. It is a people-focused career for those who enjoy talking, listening and building long-term relationships, with plenty of opportunity to grow in a dealership group.

What the job involves

• Meeting customers, finding out what they need and showing them suitable vehicles.
• Arranging test drives, explaining features and handling trade-in valuations.
• Preparing quotes and working through finance and insurance options with the dealership's finance or business manager.
• Following up with enquiries, online leads and past customers.
• Handing over the vehicle and keeping the customer happy after the sale.

Skills that help

• Genuine interest in people and good listening skills.
• Confidence and honesty when talking about price and value.
• Self-motivation and the ability to follow up consistently.
• Product knowledge, which you build over time.

How people get started

• Experience in retail, hospitality or customer service is a good start. Dealerships often hire for attitude and train for product knowledge.
• Some people move across from the service or parts department.
• Many dealerships offer brand training and structured onboarding. Ask what is provided.
• A driver's licence is normally required. Pay structures in sales often include commission, so ask how it works.

Where the career can lead

• Senior sales consultant or team leader.
• Used vehicle manager, new vehicle manager or sales manager.
• Business manager (finance and insurance), or general manager in a dealership group.

Jobs and pay right now

Right now, 13 live ads on AllAutoCareers show pay for this role. Most are between $130,000 and $130,000 a year. Pay depends on experience, location, qualifications and the employer. Here are 6 current automotive sales consultant jobs on AllAutoCareers:

• Automotive Finance & Insurance - Business Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · Sunbury, VIC · Full-time · $120,000 – $140,000
  Full-time, on-site F&I Business Manager - Sunbury, Vic
• Sales Consultant - Prestige Vehicles
  TalentEx Employment Group · Gold Coast, QLD · Full-time · $110,000 – $130,000
  Full-time, on-site prestige vehicle sales role - Gold Coast, Queensland - Pay of $110,000 – $130,000 OTE
• Automotive Finance & Insurance - Business Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · Gold Coast, QLD · Full-time · $120,000 – $140,000
  Full-time, on-site F&I Business Manager - Gold Coast, Queensland
• New Vehicle Sales Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · Port Melbourne, VIC · Full-time · $130,000 – $150,000
  Lead the new vehicle sales team in Port Melbourne. Full-time, on-site role paying $130,000 – $150,000.
• Automotive Finance & Insurance - Business Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · Wollongong, NSW · Full-time · $120,000 – $140,000
  Full-time, on-site F&I Business Manager in Wollongong, NSW
• Sales Consultant - Prestige Vehicles
  TalentEx Employment Group · Newcastle, NSW · Full-time · $110,000 – $130,000
  Full-time, on-site prestige vehicle sales role in Newcastle, NSW. Pay of $110,000 – $130,000.

See all automotive jobs

Common questions

Is car sales all commission?

Pay structures vary. Many roles combine a base salary with commission or bonuses. Ask the employer how it is structured before accepting an offer.

More career guides

General guidance only. Training pathways, entry requirements and pay differ between states and employers, so check current details with the employer, your state training authority or an industry training organisation. Last reviewed 12 October 2026.

Hiring? Post a job on AllAutoCareers.