As I reflect on the 2023/24 financial year, I am really proud of what our team has collectively achieved

It has been an exciting and rewarding time for the Association, with continued growth, stronger connections with our members, and some significant wins for the industry.
Representing an industry of 50,000 businesses and 300,000 workers, and directly supporting our 3,000 members through advocacy and valuable business services brings daily challenges, but it is a privilege to champion such a dynamic and innovative sector.
Our successful year spanned a wide variety of activities, events, and advocacy that made our members stronger and our sector more resilient.
Key to our continued impact is our steadfast commitment to government relations and advocacy, addressing the industry’s biggest challenges.
We made our views very clear through formal submissions to major government inquiries relating to our sector: the industry skills shortage, the EV transition, skilled migration, apprenticeships, and autonomous vehicles.
Our reactive advocacy was equally robust, with prompt action on issues such as ROVER, AIS (QLD), Repairer Classes (NSW), GCM (WA), Engineers Registration (SA), Vehicle Modification and ADAS (NSW), and Certifier Audits (NSW).
In a demonstration of our ability to swiftly mobilise against bureaucratic roadblocks, we led a delegation of members involved in second-stage manufacturing to Parliament House, Canberra, for urgent discussions to remove impediments to our local manufacturing industry. This successful action highlighted our commitment to defending and promoting our sector.
The Australian Auto Aftermarket and Collision Repair Expo, our industry’s flagship event and our Association’s biggest activity, was a resounding success, with record attendance. It provided invaluable training, showcased top brands, and resulted in high satisfaction among exhibitors and attendees. Financially, the Expo was profitable, setting a strong foundation for future initiatives, including the Autocare skills and training convention in Brisbane (20-21 June 2025).
Meanwhile, this publication (AAAM) has continued to play a vital role in keeping the industry informed, up-to-date, and inspired, and remains a highly successful AAAA enterprise.
Our business support services for members grew stronger, with enhancements to our market intelligence offerings, such as the improved Car Parc Data Portal, updated industry dashboards, and wage benchmarking tools. Our Legal and HR Hotlines guided hundreds of members, while many accessed our direct advocacy support.
Mandatory data sharing remained a high priority, and we are proud that the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA) continues to grow, with 3,260 subscribers, 900 registered for vehicle security credentials, and 800 qualified to access EV information. These numbers are increasing daily, demonstrating the value of this new law to independent workshops across the country.
Leveraging our experience and expertise, we supported New Zealand’s choice of repairer advocacy campaign, facilitated an industry leaders’ group, and secured funding for their activities.
The exciting Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) experienced significant growth, launched a highly anticipated Vehicle Scan Data Portal, and introduced a new Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) testing service, further establishing its role as a unique provider of critical services and innovation for the industry.
I always look forward to meeting our members across the country at our networking events, which saw strong support and attendance throughout the year, offering valuable opportunities for industry professionals to connect and share insights.
Our team demonstrated their industry commitment with participation in dozens of industry events, delivering keynote presentations, representing the Association, and engaging with stakeholders across the sector.
Our marketing activities provided regular and timely updates to our members and the broader industry. Tailored information helps our members better understand changes in the market, make informed decisions, and recognise our advocacy efforts.
The relaunch of the Performance Racing and Tuning Council (PRTC) sparked renewed interest from this dynamic sector. I look forward to seeing this diverse and passionate segment of our industry progress forward.
From a group financial perspective, the Association’s revenue grew by 11 percent, with the addition of 277 new members, reflective of the value AAAA represents to businesses across our industry.
I wish to extend my gratitude to the AAAA Board for their visionary leadership and to our dedicated teams at both AAAA and AIC for their outstanding contributions throughout the year.
Our members are the foundation of this Association. Your unwavering support and encouragement inspire us daily, and our efforts are always driven by a commitment to your success.
As we move forward, the AAAA is well-equipped to continue advancing and safeguarding our industry, delivering sustainable growth and meaningful outcomes through leadership, advocacy, and high-value member services. I remain optimistic about the future and eagerly anticipate the prosperous times ahead.
Before I sign off, if you are wondering how the upcoming National Vehicle Emission Scheme (NVES) will impact the car-parc and the automotive aftermarket, I encourage you to visit https://youtu.be/8QmxcJAm_AY to check out an explainer video we have put together about the scheme’s key effects and how the AAAA is working to protect and support the industry through this major shift. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@aaaa.com.au