Three years on since the landmark Right to Repair laws came into place, the federal government has ordered a formal review into the information sharing scheme and how it affects repairers and consumers.
Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme which came into effect in July 2022 essentially aimed to open the door to access OEM information by repairers of the consumers choice.
AASRA which administers access to the repair information has since generated thousands of members from the repair and collision sectors and covers about 87 per cent of the car parc.
AASRA has also been reappointed as the Scheme Adviser for a further two-year term — a move the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association says signals confidence in its role and the industry support it provides.
But automotive technology is changing constantly and new car brands are coming onto the market, so the review will look at how these are affecting competition and whether access to information is affordable and promoting choice.
Long fight
The AAAA who ran a campaign and was instrumental in making the laws happen has welcomed the review.
“The law was a game-changer for our sector,” AAAA Chief Executive Officer Stuart Charity says.
“It gave independent workshops fair access to essential repair information and helped drive down costs for consumers. But the way vehicles are built, serviced and connected has changed rapidly — and the law must evolve with it.”
“We spent ten years building the case, standing firm against powerful multinational car companies, and working with government and regulators to make Australia the first country outside the United States to legislate a mandatory data sharing regime for motor vehicle service and repair.”
“Right to Repair is not a one-off win — it’s a long game,” says Charity. “This review is our opportunity to finish what we started: a future-proof law that guarantees fair access to repair information and puts consumers firmly in the driver’s seat.”
The review, led by Treasury is part of the Albanese Government’s National Competition Policy reform agenda and will also look at how the scheme protects safety and security information, supports technical training and workforce capability and offers effective dispute resolution.
Focus for improvements
The AAAA has already outlined parts of its submission in key areas it says need reform;
- Telematics and real-time vehicle data: As more diagnostics move online, access to telematics data is essential. The current law excludes telematics, leaving independent repairers at a growing disadvantage.
- Access to online logbooks and service histories: The Scheme does not cover electronic logbooks, allowing manufacturers to use service history as a lever to steer customers away from independent workshops.
- Clarity for data aggregators: These third-party platforms help translate complex OEM information into practical repair workflows. The current treatment of aggregators under the law creates legal uncertainty and could jeopardise access.
- Standardised access tools and costs: Some manufacturers limit access to information via locked-down proprietary tools. AAAA is calling for support for open, standardised protocols like SAE J2534 to reduce costs and barriers.
- Better training access for safety-critical systems: Repairers must meet ‘fit and proper person’ tests to access high-voltage and security-related data — but training is not always available or recognised, creating unintended blocks.
- Transparent pricing and stronger enforcement: The law requires ‘fair market value’ for data access, but enforcement remains weak. Some brands still charge excessive fees or restrict access in breach of the rules.
The consultation period runs until 5 August 2025. Submissions can be made here