Australia’s independent automotive repairers have received formal backing for their push for fair access to vehicle service and repair information.
This is following the release of a Federal Government review into the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme.
The Final Report found the scheme is delivering genuine competition and increased consumer choice, confirming it is operating as intended.
“The information sharing scheme is working as intended”
Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) Chief Executive Officer Peter Jones said the findings closely aligned with the evidence provided by independent repairers throughout the review process.
“The report confirms the information sharing scheme is working as intended – improving competition, supporting independent workshops and delivering greater choice for motorists,” Mr Jones said.
“These outcomes validate what VACC and our members have consistently advocated for. The scheme has created a more level playing field while maintaining the viability of independent repair businesses across the country.”
Industry evidence reflected in findings
VACC made a detailed submission to the review, drawing on extensive feedback from independent repairers across Victoria and nationally.
The review examined the economic contribution of independent repairers and the role access to service and repair information plays in sustaining competition in the automotive sector. Mr Jones said the report’s conclusions on improved competition, productivity and consumer choice directly reflected the evidence provided by industry participants.
Case for broader coverage
While the review focused on the operation of the existing scheme, the positive findings strengthen the case for expanding coverage to other parts of the automotive sector.
“We appreciate the review was not tasked with examining expansion of the scheme, however the success demonstrated in this report makes it critical that government now look at extending coverage to other industry sectors including; motorcycles, heavy vehicles and agricultural machinery,” Mr Jones said.
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“These sectors support thousands of regional and specialist repairers and face identical information access barriers without the same regulatory protections.”
Call for consistent standards across vehicle sectors
Mr Jones said extending the scheme would help ensure consistent access standards across the automotive industry and support businesses servicing commercial and agricultural vehicle fleets.
“The independent repair sector has demonstrated it can compete effectively when given fair access to information,” Mr Jones said.
“Government should now build on this success by ensuring the same principles apply across all vehicle categories. That would deliver better outcomes for businesses, regional communities and vehicle owners right across the transport sector.”