The Australian government has committed to extending Right to Repair reforms to agricultural machinery in the policy’s most significant expansion since the pioneering Motor Vehicle Information Sharing (MVIS) Scheme was introduced in July 2022. In a move being framed as a major productivity lever for regional Australia, federal treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed “the Commonwealth will … Continue reading Right to Repair flagged as productivity priority, farm machinery to be included
Several Australian automotive industry bodies have criticised the federal government’s decision to halve apprenticeship incentives from January 2026, warning that the cut will worsen the automotive sector’s chronic skills shortage and ultimately cost consumers through higher repair bills and longer wait times. The government plans to cut the Priority Hiring Incentive from $5000 to $2500 … Continue reading Auto industry slams apprenticeship incentive cuts
Australia’s automotive air conditioning industry has responded strongly to the review of the Australian Automotive Code of Practice: Control of refrigerant gases during manufacture, installation, servicing or de-commissioning of motor vehicle air conditioners. Automotive Air Conditioning Electrical and Cooling Technicians of Australasia (VASA) has received numerous individual responses and detailed submissions from key industry bodies … Continue reading Strong industry input for Code of Practice as December 31 deadline nears
The Queensland-founded Auto Women initiative is expanding into a nationwide movement with plans for new events, resources and partnerships across multiple states and territories. Founded in 2022, the program has grown into a community of women representing diverse roles across the automotive sector – including technicians, service advisors, apprentices, business owners, administration staff and motorsport … Continue reading Queensland’s Auto Women initiative expands nationally
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released proposed Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Rule 27, expanding the list of acceptable refrigerants for motor vehicle air-conditioning (MVAC) systems, including R1234yf for buses and heavy-duty vehicles, plus the addition of R444A, R456A, R452A, R480A and R1234yf as acceptable retrofits in certain applications. Mobile Air Climate … Continue reading US EPA proposes YF for buses and heavy vehicles, lists potential retrofits
VASA members are invited to contribute to a national review of training materials for handling flammable refrigerant gases, with a survey from the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) open until 5pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025. The project is reviewing and updating key units of competency within AUR20220 Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning … Continue reading National training review seeks industry input on flammable refrigerant handling
VASA, with input from the automotive industry and support from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is updating the Australian Automotive Code of Practice: Control of refrigerant gases during manufacture, installation, servicing or de-commissioning of motor vehicle air conditioners (the Code). Having received good feedback to date and in the … Continue reading HAVE YOUR SAY: Public and industry review period extended for Automotive Air Conditioning Code of Practice until 31 December
VASA member workshop Elizabeth Auto Electrics has made history by hosting the 100th dual trade apprentice enrolled through MTA Training and Employment’s nation-leading program. Alexander Adcock joined the northern Adelaide business as demand for advanced automotive skills accelerates in response to the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and the rapid uptake of hybrid and … Continue reading VASA member hosts 100th dual trade apprentice through MTA SA/NT
VASA pioneer director and mobile air conditioning industry stalwart Tony Heat, has died in Sydney at the age of 72 after a battle with cancer. For most of his life, Tony operated a one-man mobile air conditioning workshop, trading as Carter-Sewell at Manly Vale on Sydney’s northern beaches. He built a reputation as a gun … Continue reading Vale Tony Heat – VASA pioneer and ‘gun installer’
Due to popular demand, CoolDrive Auto Parts and TAFE NSW have scheduled an additional two-day automotive air-conditioning training course for October 3-4, 2025, following the success of their August program. It is the last opportunity to partake in this training in 2025. The accredited course at CoolDrive’s Yatala facility provides automotive professionals with the certification … Continue reading October session announced: Accredited auto-AC training with CoolDrive and TAFE NSW
