The Albanese Government is making it easier and cheaper to keep cars on the road by backing Australia's right to repair laws and ensuring mechanics have the information they need to do the job.
One of our first decisions after winning office in 2022 was to begin the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme on 1 July 2022. The Scheme is the first right to repair law of its kind in Australia, and has been in operation for three years. It requires car manufacturers to make service and repair information available for purchase by all Australian repairers and registered training organisations at a fair market price.
Today, the Government has reappointed the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority Limited to a key statutory role, while also releasing a discussion paper to examine how the Scheme is working.
The Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority Limited has been reappointed as Scheme Adviser for a further two‑year term beginning on 1 July 2025. This will ensure the automotive sector continues to support the Scheme's operation. The organisation assists Australian repairers in accessing information from vehicle manufacturers - including what is offered and on what terms - and helps mediate any disputes.
The organisation will also retain its formal role of reporting any systematic non‑compliance to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which will continue to monitor and enforce the Scheme.
The Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority Limited has been instrumental in helping the Government implement the Scheme. This includes assisting repairers to access information, encouraging manufacturers to make access easier, and improving its own systems - such as introducing a 1300 number to enhance service levels.
Its annual reporting is helping the Government monitor the Scheme's success. The 2024 annual report noted a 48 per cent decline in requests for missing repair information compared to the same period in 2023.
The reappointment will also support the Government's current review of the Scheme. This review is an important first step toward expanding right to repair reforms, which are part of the Albanese Government's commitments under National Competition Policy.
National Competition Policy is a shared vision among the Commonwealth, states and territories to promote effective competition across the economy, boosting efficiency and productivity. The first tranche of reforms is focused on easing cost of living pressures and cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens.
The discussion paper released today will seek stakeholder views on:
- How effectively the Scheme is operating
- The appropriateness of protections for safety and security‑related information
- The impact the Scheme has had on stakeholder businesses
- The effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms under the Scheme
Interested stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the discussion paper by Monday, 4 August 2025.
