MTAA warns against separate EV repair licences
The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) has urged governments to avoid introducing new state-based electric vehicle repair licensing schemes, warning they could increase costs, worsen skills shortages and reduce repair capacity without improving safety.
The industry body says Australia already has the frameworks needed to safely service and repair EVs, including workplace health and safety laws, nationally recognised training units and Australian Standard AS 5732:2022 for EV maintenance and repair.
The warning comes as several state governments consider new regulatory models for EV servicing and repair.
MTAA interim executive director Peter Jones said creating separate EV licensing requirements risked adding unnecessary red tape at a time when EV numbers are growing rapidly.
"The industry is already delivering safe, effective EV servicing under established frameworks," Jones said.
"Introducing new licensing requirements where they are not needed risks increasing costs, reducing repair access and placing further pressure on an already constrained workforce."
The association pointed to a recent Western Australian Government review under the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act, which concluded there was insufficient justification for a dedicated EV repair licence class or additional qualification requirements.
MTAA also rejected proposals that would require licensed electricians to de-energise EVs before repair work can begin, arguing the process is already routinely undertaken by appropriately trained automotive technicians.
"De-energisation is already an established automotive repair function, supported by existing training and safety protocols," Jones said.
"Requiring additional trades to perform these tasks would add cost, delay repairs and create inefficiencies for no clear safety benefit."
The association said any future regulation should be nationally consistent, recognise existing automotive competencies and only be introduced where there is clear evidence of a safety or market failure.
The debate is likely to be closely watched by collision repairers, particularly in Victoria where new EV inspection requirements linked to AS 5732:2022 recently came into effect, adding further focus to questions around training, accreditation and who should be authorised to work on high-voltage vehicles.
According to MTAA, battery electric vehicles accounted for a record 19.9 per cent of new vehicle sales in May 2026, highlighting the growing importance of ensuring repair capacity can keep pace with EV adoption.