The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has welcomed the announcement by the NSW Minister for Fair Trading, Anoulack Chanthivong, that proposed reforms introducing a new electric vehicle (EV) mechanic repair class will be deferred to allow for further consultation with industry.
This outcome means that from September 1, 2025, workshops will continue to safely service and repair EVs and consumers will retain the freedom to choose who services and repairs their EVs.
AAAA chief executive Stuart Charity said the minister’s decision “demonstrates a genuine commitment to evidence-based policy, a willingness to engage, and a practical understanding of how the automotive industry operates.”
“We want to thank Minister Chanthivong for his leadership and his openness to hearing from the people who do this work every day. When governments consult with industry, they get better outcomes, and this decision shows the minister is prepared to take the time to get this right.
“Workshops put together teams of skilled people, each contributing according to their training and responsibilities. The original proposal from NSW Fair Trading reflected a fundamental misunderstanding of modern workshop operations, wrongly assuming that one technician services an entire vehicle.”
“The proposal would have required every team member to complete extensive EV certification, even if the work is unrelated to the high-voltage system. That’s not safety, that’s bureaucracy for its own sake.”
The proposed EV licence class formed part of the draft Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025, due to commence on 1 September 2025. While other reforms in the Regulation will proceed, the EV licensing changes will now be subject to a separate consultation process led by NSW Fair Trading.
“We want to acknowledge and thank our independent workshops right across the state, who have been actively engaged throughout this process. Their input and persistence have delivered real results,” Charity says.
“AAAA, and our members stand ready to work closely with NSW Fair Trading to design a framework that genuinely improves safety while remaining practical for workshops of all sizes.”
“We share the Government’s goals of keeping workers safe, protecting consumers, and ensuring our industry is ready for the EV future. The Minister’s decision gives us the opportunity to design smart, targeted training that focuses on real risks, recognises existing skills, and avoids unnecessary hurdles,” he says.
AAAA will continue to engage constructively with Government to ensure that the growing EV fleet can be serviced safely, efficiently, and affordably and that policy decisions are informed by the day-to-day realities of automotive service and repair.
Join the conversation