VASA members and others in the automotive air-conditioning sector have until Sunday 10 May to provide feedback on draft units of competency that will shape how the industry trains for flammable refrigerant handling. The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) has released a first draft of updated training products from the Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning … Continue reading Have your say on flammable refrigerant training units
Leading Australian electronic equipment manufacturer REDARC is offering a $5,250 prize for the 2026 REDARC Young Technician of the Year Award, to be announced at Wire & Gas in Brisbane. Nominations are now open, and the winner will also receive a fully funded ticket to Wire & Gas, to be staged by VASA and The … Continue reading Nominate now for REDARC Young Technician of the Year – $5250 prize!
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 … Continue reading Better Together: Wire & Gas 2026 preview
Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) technical and training manager Noel Munkman has been confirmed as a panellist for the refrigerant stewardship session at Wire & Gas 2026 on Sunday, 2 August. Mr Munkman will join Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) general manager Kylie Farrelley and Refrigerants Australia executive director and ARC chair Greg Picker for a panel … Continue reading ARC technical expert Noel Munkman confirmed for Wire & Gas panel session
The 2026 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 14–16 May with a technical training program headlined by international diagnostic specialists, a new on-floor discovery zone and more than 400 exhibiting brands across the aftermarket. Co-located with the Collision Repair Expo and sponsored by Repco, the biennial event is … Continue reading What to expect at this year’s Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo in May
The Australian government has listed hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and some HFC alternatives on the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) workplan for 2026-27, signalling that new restrictions on refrigerant use – including in pre-charged equipment – could be finalised by 1 July 2027. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) confirmed the … Continue reading Australia flags new HFC restrictions, lists refrigerants on 2026-27 IChEMS workplan
Longstanding VASA corporate member JAS Oceania has joined forces with Baxters and Federal Batteries to create the JAS Auto Electrical Group, forming a single national supplier across automotive electrical, air-conditioning, lighting, battery and heavy-duty categories. The consolidation brings together JAS Oceania’s 39 branches and its strength in automotive electrical, air-conditioning and lighting products, Baxters’ 11-location … Continue reading JAS Oceania, Baxters, Federal Batteries merge to form JAS Auto Electrical Group
Secure your tickets now for Wire & Gas 2026, taking place from 31 July to 2 August at The Westin Brisbane (111 Mary Street in the CBD). Continue reading Wire & Gas 2026 tickets on sale NOW!
Industry veteran Tony Stephens has joined the board of VASA. He was elected unopposed at the recent annual general meeting and fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Robert Picone, who had served on the board since 2012. Tony began his career in 1978 at Martin Wilson Bros, then moved to Ingrams in 1986 … Continue reading Tony Stephens joins VASA board as Robert Picone retires
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
