AAAA News

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has called on the Federal Government to unlock the full productivity potential of the Motor Vehicle Information Sharing Scheme, describing it as a “ready-made economic reform hiding in plain sight.”

While the scheme is already delivering major benefits for independent repairers and consumers, AAAA Chief Executive Officer Stuart Charity has warned that key structural barriers must be addressed for it to help meet Australia’s pressing productivity challenges.

“With national productivity growth stagnating, we should be backing reforms that are already working,” said Mr Charity.

“The Motor Vehicle Information Sharing Scheme is delivering real gains—higher workshop efficiency, lower costs for consumers, and stronger competition. But it could do so much more if a few key roadblocks were removed.”

The AAAA has urged the Government to strengthen the scheme by adopting a series of practical and cost-neutral reforms, including:

• Mandating a universal diagnostic tool interface such as SAE-J2534;
• Expanding the scheme to include access to critical telematics data and ADAS calibration systems;
• Ensuring fair access for data aggregators used by the vast majority of workshops;
  
  

Research conducted by Fifth Quadrant on behalf of the AAAA highlights the scheme’s measurable impact:

• 65% of workshops report improved technician productivity since the scheme was introduced;
• 61% report increased revenue, and 55% report higher profitability;
• Vehicles being turned away due to lack of access to data has dropped by 40%, enabling more work to be completed locally.
  
  

“These are not theoretical improvements—this is productivity in action,” Mr Charity said.

“We have independent repairers doing more work in less time, with better results for consumers and more competitive pricing across the board.”

AAAA also welcomed the addition of Productivity to the portfolio of Assistant Minister for Competition, Dr Andrew Leigh, describing it as an opportunity to lead a second phase of reform that will benefit small business, regional communities, and working families.

“Dr Leigh has a strong track record of championing evidence-based policy, and the data is clear: Right to Repair is working. Now let’s finish the job,” said Mr Charity.

“With the right reforms, this scheme can become a productivity powerhouse—not just for our industry, but for the entire economy.”