As the 2025 federal election approaches, our industry faces a pivotal moment

Key policy and regulatory decisions will shape the future of Australia’s automotive aftermarket industry. The next government’s stance on emissions regulations, workforce development, and trade policies will have a lasting impact on businesses, supply chains, and the broader automotive ecosystem.
It is more important than ever for industry leaders to stay informed and engaged, ensuring our sector’s needs are not just considered but actively represented in policy discussions.
Here at the AAAA, we are already at full alert, activating our advocacy expertise to safeguard the future prosperity of our incredible and vitally important sector of the economy.
Here is a hit list of the issues we are most focused on and what decisions on these issues mean for our industry:
National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES): the introduction of the NVES in January this year is set to reshape Australia’s new vehicle market. While its goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions, the stringent targets are likely to have an impact on the availability and affordability of petrol and diesel vehicles. This shift will have ripple effects across our industry, impacting servicing patterns and parts demand. We need clear, industry-aligned policies that balance environmental goals with consumer choice and market stability.
The changing face of the new car market: with the new vehicle efficiency standards in place, we anticipate a wave of new car brands entering the Australian market, particularly from China. While increased competition can drive innovation, we’ve seen what happens when brands exit the market just as quickly as they arrive – leaving workshops and consumers scrambling for parts and service information. The industry must advocate for policies that ensure vehicle brands operating in Australia are committed to long-term support for owners and repairers alike.
The push for road-user charging on Zero and Low Emission Vehicles: the shift to electrified vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, but so is the discussion around how we replace lost fuel excise revenue. The Australian Automobile Association is pushing for a national road-user charge for ZLEVs to ensure all motorists contribute fairly to road funding. While fairness in road funding is essential, we must ensure the approach is equitable. Our industry needs to be actively engaged in these discussions to prevent policies that create unintended consequences for vehicle owners.
Skills shortages – the challenge we cannot ignore: the most urgent issue facing our industry isn’t just policy – it’s people. We are in the grip of a skills crisis, with almost 60 percent of automotive apprentices failing to complete their training, and businesses struggling to find qualified technicians. Wage pressures, cost-of-living challenges, outdated training models, and an evolving technological landscape means we must push for better apprenticeship pathways, government incentives, and training reforms that prepare the next generation for the future of vehicle servicing, particularly in the EV and ADAS space.
Future proofing the Motor Vehicle Information Sharing Scheme: while the introduction of the MVIS has been overwhelmingly positive, industry feedback has highlighted that new technology and car manufacturer loopholes are preventing the Law from fully delivering on its promise of supporting consumer choice and delivering fair competition. Practical, no/low-cost refinements to the Scheme Rules could enhance compliance and ensure the Law operates as intended – without legislative changes. Key improvements include mandating independent repairer access to telematics data, compelling the car manufacturers to licence repair and service information to data aggregators, facilitating independent repairer access to online service books, fixing the loophole requiring proprietary diagnostic tools to access data and a solution for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) active dynamic testing which is creating safety concerns for consumers.
Trade policies and supply chain stability – the hidden battle: global supply chains remain unpredictable, and potential new trade policies could add further volatility. The cost and availability of parts continue to be a concern, and it’s critical that any new government policy supports a stable, competitive supply chain that ensures workshops can continue to meet customer demand without excessive price increases.
The industry’s role in shaping policy: This election presents an opportunity for our industry to have its voice heard loud and clear. We must engage with candidates, advocate for policies that support fair competition, and push for regulations that consider the realities of our sector.
At the AAAA, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that policymakers understand the needs of independent repairers, parts suppliers, and the broader aftermarket community.
The road ahead is uncertain, and we’re all aware that politics is a complicated and challenging arena, but one thing is clear: we must be part of the conversation, shaping the policies that will define our industry’s future. Let’s make sure our voices are heard.
Our advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry are only possible with the support of our valued members. If you’re not yet a member, now is the time to join us and shape the future of our industry.
And finally, don’t forget to register for Autocare 2025, the most valuable automotive training event for technicians and workshop owners, June 20 – 21 in Brisbane.

You can get your tickets at www.autocare.org.au