Changes to motor vehicle repairers regulations

Repairers who become certified in wheel aligning, steering and suspension work (WSS) will be able to:

• inspect, service or replace a steering or suspension system; and
• balance a wheel or align the wheels.

How can a repairer become certified in WSS?

Repairers applying for certification in the new WSS class will have to provide evidence that they have completed the following units:

• AURAEA002 - Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace
• AURASA102 - Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace
• AURATA001 - Identify basic automotive faults using troubleshooting processes
• AURTTD002 - Inspect and service steering systems
• AURTTD004 - Inspect and service suspension systems
• AURTTJ011 - Balance wheels and tyres
• Either
  • AURLTD106 - Carry out light vehicle wheel alignment operations or
  • AURHTD104 - Carry out heavy vehicle wheel alignment operations

It is possible to complete these units as part of one of the following qualifications:

• Certificate II in Automotive Steering and Suspension System Technology (AUR21820)
• Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology (AUR20520)
• Certificate II in Automotive Tyre Servicing Technology (AUR21920)

Why has WSS been added?

WSS has been introduced in response to industry feedback that the deletion of the previous steering, suspension and wheel aligning (SSW) class had an adverse effect on the repairer industry, in particular tyre fitters seeking to be able to carry out wheel alignments as part of their job.

WSS is narrower in scope than SSW as it will not allow repairers to carry out the repair of steering or suspension systems.

Any repairers who are not already certified in SSW and want to be able to carry out the repair of steering or suspension systems will need to seek certification in one of the general repair classes such as underbody work, light vehicle work or heavy vehicle work.

Does the new WSS class affect repairers who are certified in SSW?

These changes will not affect any repairer who is already certified in SSW. These repairer’s certificates remain valid and repairers can continue to carry out all work within the definition of SSW, including the repair of steering and suspension systems. The narrower definition for WSS will not apply to any repairers already certified in SSW.

Driveline and transmission work (DTW) has been deleted because there is no longer sufficient demand for repair classes relating to driveline or transmission work.

Repairers who are currently certified in one of the following classes will not be affected by this change and their existing repairer’s certificate will remain valid:

• Driveline and transmission work
• Driveline work
• Driveline servicing and repair work
• Transmission work

The number of classes of repair work has been reduced from 29 to 23. This has been done by making the following changes:

• merging driveline servicing and repairing work, driveline work, and transmission work to create a new class of driveline and transmission work;
• merging diesel fitting work and diesel fuel and engine work to create a new class of diesel work;
• merging tyre fitting (light) work and tyre fitting (heavy) work to create a new class of tyre fitting work;
• absorbing exhaust system work and steering, suspension and wheel aligning work into the existing class of underbody work; and
• absorbing cylinder head reconditioning work into the existing class of engine reconditioning work.

The following classes of repair work are now categorised as superseded classes: cylinder head reconditioning; diesel fitting; diesel fuel and engine; driveline servicing and repairing; driveline; exhaust system; steering, suspension and wheel aligning; transmission; tyre fitting (heavy); and tyre fitting (light).

What do repairers need to do?

Repairers do not need to take any action. Existing repairer certificates remain valid. Any repairers certified for a superseded class will continue to be able to carry out the same work.

The definitions for electrical accessory fitting work and mechanical accessory fitting work have been narrowed. Certification is now only required for work to install or remove an accessory where that accessory affects the performance, security or safety of a motor vehicle.

What do repairers need to do?

Repairers already certified for electrical accessory fitting or mechanical accessory fitting will not be affected by this change.

The replacement or installation of the following accessories are examples of work that may not need to be carried out by a certified repairer. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list:

• bonnet protectors
• light globes
• headlight protectors
• jerry can carriers
• luggage and roof racks
• protective awnings, car top tents, enclosures and canopies
• side steps, rails and boards
• skirts
• sound systems and radios
• spare wheel racks/carriers
• spoilers
• tow bars (bolted)
• ute linings
• vehicle detailing
• water carriers (rack or body mounted)
• weather shields
• wiper blades.

A new repair class for locksmith work has been introduced, and will cover work required to service, repair or replace a locking or transponder system fitted to a motor vehicle.

Are there any other changes that affect motor vehicle repairers?

Segways and vehicles with a power output of not more than 200 watts will be added to the list of exclusions from the definition of motor vehicle. This will make it clear that any repairs to these goods do not need to be carried out by a certified motor vehicle repairer.