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COVID-19 advice and support for automotive repair businesses

UPDATED: August 14, 2020 with details of metropolitan Melbourne Stage 4 measures. The below advice is largely based on information produced by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and as such is relevant to Australian businesses only. AAAA has also kindly agreed to share with VASA members its excellent, informative series of webinars designed to help … Continue reading COVID-19 advice and support for automotive repair businesses

ASA welcomes the upcoming replacement of controversial Unit of Competency AURETU005 “Retrofit and modify air conditioning and HVAC systems” as part of a broader update to the Automotive Retail, Service and Repair (AUR) Training Package due to concerns raised by this organisation and other industry groups. Unit of Competency AURETU005 included a focus on retrofitting … Continue reading Common sense prevails in change to HC retrofit requirements within AUR Training Package

The Australian Federal Government has announced plans that will enable tradespeople with a state government occupational licence could have their licence automatically recognised in all states and territories from 1 January 2021. It is proposed that individual tradespeople with an occupational licence in one Australian jurisdiction will automatically be able to take equivalent work in … Continue reading Automatic cross-border trades licensing recognition finally on the horizon for Australia

Christopher Mullett

Transport industry publisher and journalist Christopher Mullett unexpectedly passed away this month due to complications from routine surgery. He founded the Motoring Matters Magazine Group, which operates the successful PowerTorque and Delivery titles, aimed respectively at the heavy truck and light commercial vehicle sectors. ECOcar magazine was also among the Motoring Maters stable for 20 … Continue reading Vale Christopher Mullett: Publisher and journalist

JobKeeper Payment

The Australian Government’s JobKeeper support package has been extended to March 28 2021, with a few catches, while the Apprentice Wage Subsidy has been extended and broadened to include medium-sized businesses with up to 199 employees. JobKeeper eligibility tests requiring businesses to demonstrate ongoing impacts to their turnover will continue each quarter and the payouts … Continue reading Australian Government updates support packages from September 2020 onwards

The New South Wales Government is inviting submissions into its review of the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act that regulates the state’s automotive industry. In addition to providing a regulatory framework for motor dealers, recyclers, repairers and related trades plus standards of conduct and obligations for licensees, the Act contains compliance and enforcement mechanisms and … Continue reading NSW workshops invited to provide feedback on Motor Dealers and Repairers Act review

Driver wearing mask

Those venturing out of home in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire face a $200 fine for not wearing a protective mask. This includes employees in the workplace unless a lawful exemption or reason applies. Advice from the Victorian government is that employers ensure their employees wear face coverings while they are working, unless lawfully exempt. … Continue reading Masks mandatory in Melbourne & Mitchell Shire: Your obligations in the workplace

Case Construction Equipment 580 EV

Case Construction Equipment has unveiled the industry’s first all-electric backhoe loader, the 580 EV. The US-based manufacturer says its new machine, the show model of which was dubbed “Project Zeus”, offers the performance of a diesel equivalent in conjunction with lower operating costs and zero local emissions. It’s no light-duty backhoe loader, either. Power comes … Continue reading Case unveils first electric backhoe loader

Australian advanced materials company Talga has announced that it will be supporting the development of a new electrified axle for Bentley Motors. It is not yet known whether this will feature in an updated plug-in hybrid Bentayga SUV that is currently under development. Talga made the announcement following confirmation that it would receive £224,000 ($A415,000) … Continue reading Perth firm helping Bentley with e-drive axle