NSW repairers will have until the end of the week to give feedback on the proposed Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation reforms that are proposing additional qualifications for EVs.
The MTA NSW wants to clarify details in the proposal around EV repair qualifications that have already caused some concern and antipathy in the aftermarket sector.
The MTA NSW says under the proposal, open until May 30, 2025, only specific tradespeople who work directly on high-voltage systems in Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) will need additional upskilling and the requirement does not apply to existing hybrid vehicles.
The Certificate III qualification will be sufficient to work on ICE or defined hybrid vehicles but repair or service BEVs will required to complete the AURSS00064, the Battery Electric Vehicle Skill Set, it says.
Australia’s lead aftermarket body, the AAAA, has come out vehemently against the plan arguing the shortfall in skills could mean EV owners are left stranded due to the lack of qualified repairers and the training cost and time will be an impost on repairers.
The MTA NSW Association has called for a three-year transition period for any training-related compliance and continues to advocate for government-funded support to ensure fair and timely access to training, particularly for small workshops and those in regional areas.
Qualifications needed
MTA NSW CEO Stavros Yallouridis says he wants to clear up some of the confusion over the reforms.
“The reality is that these changes extend far beyond new EV licensing requirements and include important updates that will modernise our industry, such as enabling online vehicle sales, reducing regulatory red tape, and other important industry matters.”
Tradespeople holding low-scope certificates who choose to work on electric or hybrid vehicles will be required to complete a one-day safety training course as a condition, he says.
“As the largest private automotive Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in NSW, with over 2,200 apprentices in training, we’ve already helped more than 800 individuals complete EV training. This demonstrates not only the industry’s readiness to adapt but also the strong demand for these skills as the market evolves.”
He says the timing of the regulatory reform is appropriate given the, as yet, small size of the EV fleet but the need for due diligence and preparation as it grows.
Alternative model
But AAAA CEO Stuart Charity has said says the new qualification makes even basic EV servicing illegal, regardless of past experience and there was a better alternative model .
“If this goes ahead, thousands of EV trained and experienced technicians will be blocked from working on EVs overnight,,” Charity says.
“That means longer wait times, higher repair costs, and frustrated EV owners with nowhere to go.”
AAAA says a better way is to build a a regulatory model based on business accountability, backed by Government-issued, industry-informed Guidelines.
“Under this approach, the business licence holder would be responsible for ensuring each technician is appropriately qualified for the task they perform, as already required under existing Workplace Health & Safety and Australian Consumer Law.”
It also wants a five year transition plan.