Edition 69, July 2009

WA vehicle repairer certification requirements

New laws, which came into effect on 1 July 2009 in Western Australia, require all businesses that repair motor vehicles for consumers or other business customers to have a motor vehicle repair business licence.

The licence is required in the following circumstances:

  • an owner of a motor vehicle repair business
  • a self-employed motor vehicle repairer
  • operate a 'mobile' repair business.

The law also requires require individual tradespersons who work unsupervised or who supervise others to be registered as a certified repairer.

To obtain a repairer's certificate the repairer will need to be qualified, have a trade certificate or have substantial experience. A 'points system' is used to determine a person's qualification for a class of repair. Repairs must be sufficiently qualified to carry out each class of repair work to which their application relates.

The qualifications considered include a Certificate II or Certificate III from a registered training organisation such as a TAFE and/or a Trade Certificate or equivalent such as a Final Certificate. Alternatively, a repairer's certificate may be granted for repairers with sufficient experience. A combination of qualifications and experience can also qualify for a certificate.

A requirement for the motor vehicle repair business licence is that the licence holder must be a certified repairer or employ a certified repairer to supervise repairs for each class of repair work carried out.

The Commissioner for Consumer Protection has allowed a transition period by giving the industry an extended deadline of 30 September 2009 before prosecutions are considered.

These laws aim to ensure only suitably qualified and experienced repairers can carry out repair work, or supervise repair work, where the customer pays for those repairs. The aim is to improve vehicle safety on WA roads by guaranteeing high standards of workmanship in the industry.

An uncertified vehicle repairer faces a fine of $5,000. Unlicensed vehicle repair businesses will also be prosecuted and the maximum penalty for individual business owners engaged in unlicensed repairing is $50,000 plus $1,000 per day. The penalty for a company is $250,000 and $5,000 per day.

For more information contact the Motor Vehicle Repairers section of the Consumer Protection on 1300 304 054 or visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/motorvehicles

This page was generated on 09 October, 2009

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