The 34-year-old mechanic from Manila has been working at Fyshwick's Bridgestone Service Centre since last September.

He already loves Canberra, has bought a Holden and would like to settle here permanently with his girlfriend, Dorilyn, who still lives in the Philippines.

Mr Garrido's boss, Steve Loiterton, says the highly trained mechanic, who spent eight years working in Saudi Arabia, would make a great Australian.

''Words can't describe how much Hilario and Romeo (another Philippines 457 visa mechanic employed at the service centre) bring to the industry,'' he said. ''They are professional, polite, conscientious and, above all, good mechanics. They would make bloody good Australians; they love the place and they love the people.''

Mr Garrido wanted to be a mechanic from an early age. ''When I was a little boy I would take my toys apart and put them back together again and they would work,'' he said. ''I became interested in cars as a teenager. My dream was to become an automotive engineer but that (the study)costs money so I became a mechanic.''

His skills have taken him around the world and, of all the places he has been, Australia appeals the most.

''This is a nice place,'' he told Fairfax Media. ''It is a lot safer than Saudi and certainly a lot freer. In Saudi you couldn't have long hair, wear a sleeveless singlet or shorts. You could live in Saudi for 25 years and still only ever be a guest worker.''

Australia allows 457 visa-holders to apply for permanent residency and, in time, to become citizens. Mr Garrido said while it was difficult to be separated from his girlfriend and family he was building a future.

''I met Dorilyn through work in the Philippines,'' he said. ''The distance is the hard part but the ideal is for both of us to be living in Australia.''

One aspect of life in Manila he does not miss is the traffic congestion. ''I live in Florey,'' he said. ''In Manila a commute of the distance from Florey to Fyshwick would take about two hours.''

That is why, when he lived in the Philippines, the car nut didn't have a car. ''I had a 125cc Yamaha motorcycle,'' he said. ''It was the best way to get around.''