Better Together: Wire & Gas 2026 preview
- PostedPublished 24 April 2026
Wire & Gas 2026 will be co-hosted by VASA and The Automotive Technician for the first time when the event returns to Brisbane from 31 July to 2 August, with a three-day program of technical training, industry panels and networking at The Westin Brisbane.
The partnership between the two organisations – branded under the theme “Better Together” – brings together VASA’s membership base of automotive air-conditioning technicians and thermal management specialists with TaT’s network of auto electricians and general automotive technicians.
The result is a program spanning HVAC diagnostics, diesel emissions technology, electrified vehicle architectures, vehicle security systems, workshop productivity and the regulatory environment.
VASA president Brett Meads said the TaT partnership had raised the bar for what Wire & Gas could deliver.
“TaT and VASA have a long history of collaboration and share a common goal: supporting automotive technicians and workshop owners to build their skills and grow their businesses,” Mr Meads said.
“By combining our networks and expertise, we can deliver a bigger, better Wire & Gas with high-quality training, new topics and more opportunities for technicians to connect with their peers and industry partners. This is what ‘Better Together’ is all about.”
TaT co-founder Jeff Smit said the program reflected the combined training strengths of both organisations.
“Wire & Gas has established itself as the must-attend event for the auto electrical and air-conditioning trades, and we’re thrilled to be joining forces with VASA to take it to the next level,” Mr Smit said.
“TaT will be bringing our training expertise, presenter network and broad membership base to the table, with a focus on delivering practical, hands-on sessions that attendees can take straight back to the workshop.”
Friday: A new Code of Practice
The event opens on the Friday evening with a cocktail party and trade show, followed by a panel session that will be compulsory viewing for anyone working with automotive refrigerants: the formal launch of the updated Australian Automotive Air Conditioning Code of Practice.
The Code of Practice is the governing document for how the industry handles refrigerants, maintains compliance and meets its environmental obligations.
It has undergone an extensive review, and the updated edition will be released at Wire & Gas 2026. The panel will walk attendees through what has changed, explain the consultation process behind the revisions and take questions on what the new Code means for day-to-day workshop operations.
Panellists include Kylie Farrelley, general manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, who also serves on the United Nations Environment Program’s Refrigeration, A/C, and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee; Dr Greg Picker, executive director of Refrigerants Australia and chair of the Australian Refrigeration Council, who has almost three decades of climate change and energy policy experience; Lesley Yates, director of government relations and advocacy at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association; and Mr Smit.
Saturday: four deep-dive training sessions
Saturday’s full-day program features four 90-minute technical training sessions, with the trade show running during morning tea and lunch.
ON THE TOOLS: SATURDAY TRAINING SESSIONS
Vehicle Security Systems: A Workshop Guide
Vehicle security systems have evolved into complex networks of encrypted transponders, programmed keys and secure gateways that can catch out independent workshops. Scott will demystify these systems, walk through transponder and remote programming requirements, reveal common pitfalls and secure gateway challenges, and use real-world examples of how to avoid the most frequent traps.
Scott Thomas
Founder, SL-Tech Diagnostics
AdBlue (SCR) emissions-control technology for diesel vehicles
As Euro 6 standards become mandatory, AdBlue and SCR tech are now standard across all new diesel vehicles. Yet mistakes are commonly made when diagnosing AdBlue, EGR, DEF, DPF, NOx and SCR-related fault codes. Drawing on extensive diagnostic experience across a broad variety of systems, Clinton will share key strategies for pinpointing issues.
Clinton Brett
Founder, Diesel Help Australia
Diagnosing modern automotive HVAC systems
Modern automotive HVAC resembles common rail diesel technology more than traditional aircon while electrified vehicle systems mirror residential split systems. This session provides underpinning knowledge needed to diagnose systems running both R-134a and R-1234yf, with practical guidance on maintaining ARCtick compliance when working with automotive refrigerants in your workshop.
Clint Flower
Technical Trainer, CoolDrive Auto Parts; Automotive Teacher, TAFE NSW
48V to BEV: Electrified Diagnostic Triage Framework
Electrified vehicles are now routine in workshops but diagnostic time-wasters persist: misidentifying the architecture, chasing high-voltage faults before low-voltage fundamentals are proven and clearing data before evidence is captured. Brendan’s practical triage framework will help you quickly recognise 48V/HEV/PHEV/BEV architectures, capture the right first evidence and choose efficient next steps.
Brendan Sorensen
Technical Director, The Automotive Technician
Gala Awards Dinner sponsored by NAPA
Saturday evening’s Gala Awards Dinner sponsored by NAPA will feature live acoustic music from Keegan Sparke, who returns after unanimously positive feedback from his performances at the 2018, 2022 and 2024 events.
Awards to be presented include the REDARC Young Technician of the Year Award, the VASA Grant Hand Industry Mentor Award and the VASA Pioneer Award, alongside a racing simulator champion and trade show prize draw. Additional awards are to be announced.
Sunday: the business and regulatory picture
The closing half-day on Sunday shifts the focus to business strategy and the regulatory environment.
THE BUSINESS END: SUNDAY SEMINAR SESSIONS
From fragmented to formidable: The power of cohesion
Governments are moving quickly on the rules shaping our industry – right to repair, emissions policy, skills and licensing, and a tightening refrigerant regulatory environment. In that context, fragmentation is a strategic weakness. Lesley will outline what’s coming from government and explain why cohesion is essential to protecting the competitiveness of independent repairers.
Lesley Yates
Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, AAAA
Enhancing workshop productivity
Technician productivity is one of the most powerful drivers of workshop profitability, yet many shops lack the structured systems needed to deliver consistent results. This session breaks down the practical techniques used by high-performing workshops to measure, monitor, and improve productivity, and shows how they can be applied in any operation regardless of size or location.
Geoff Mutton
Co-founder, The Automotive Technician
EV and hybrid market update from an aftermarket perspective
Electrified vehicle sales in Australia have moved well beyond early adoption, with battery electric, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid platforms now a routine presence across the market. Jeff will deliver a concise state-of-play covering the major architectures, how they differ in real-world servicing and what the rapid growth of hybrid demand means for independent workshops planning ahead.
Jeff Smit
Co-founder, The Automotive Technician
THE EXPERTS: PANEL SESSIONS
Kylie Farrelley: General Manager, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia
In addition to leading RRA, Kylie serves on the United Nations Environment Program Refrigeration, A/C, and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee, playing a pivotal role in providing critical technical advice to countries participating in the Montreal Protocol negotiations.
Greg Picker: Executive Director, Refrigerants Australia; Chair, Australian Refrigeration Council
Greg has almost three decades of experience dealing with climate change and energy policy, including with the UN Framework on Climate Change, the Australian Government and AECOM.
Noel Munkman: Technical and Training Manager, Australian Refrigeration Council
Noel brings more than four decades of experience in refrigeration and air conditioning education and industry development. He has held senior roles in WorldSkills refrigeration competitions from regional through to international level, including as International Competition Manager and Chief Judge. He received the ARBS Hall of Fame Award in 2022.
Sponsors and exhibitors
Wire & Gas 2026 is supported by platinum sponsor NAPA, with CoolDrive Auto Parts and Solstice Advanced Materials as gold sponsors.
Silver sponsors are Alcius Complete Control, Century Batteries, REDARC and Valeo, and joining all these on the trade show floor will be Adrad, Ariazone, the Australian Refrigeration Council, Mastercool and SuperCool.
Cool Mavericks book signing
Authors Mark Mitchell and Ken Newton will again be signing copies of Cool Mavericks, which traces the evolution of automotive air-conditioning and the pioneers who shaped it.
Books will also be available for purchase or collection at the event.
Tickets and accommodation
VASA or TaT member tickets are $995 + GST. Non-member tickets are $1195 + GST, with the option to purchase VASA or TaT membership at registration to access member pricing. A Social Pass covering the Friday cocktail party and trade show plus the Saturday Gala Awards Dinner is available for $349 + GST.
VASA has negotiated discounted room rates for Wire & Gas attendees at The Westin Brisbane at $325 per night for a super king or twin room, and the adjoining Four Points by Sheraton at $225 per night for a king or twin room.
Optional extras include a rollaway bed for $60 per night and valet parking at $60 per vehicle per day. All accommodation prices include GST, and the discounted rates are valid for three days before and after the event, subject to availability.
Tickets and accommodation can be booked at wireandgas.com.
- CategoriesIn Latest Events, Latest News, SightGlass
- TagsTraining, Wire & Gas, Wire & Gas 2026
