MTA Queensland has expanded the Women in Trades Apprenticeship Mentoring Program it launched in 2024, broadening support for female apprentices statewide to boost participation and retention in the automotive industry. Operated in partnership with mentoring provider Busy Sisters and funded by the Queensland Government to provide access to one-on-one mentoring and career guidance, the program … Continue reading MTAQ expands Women in Trades apprenticeship mentoring program
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has welcomed a court ruling in the United States upholding the 2020 Right to Repair law in Massachusetts. The law requires automakers to provide independent repairers with access to telematics data – and the AAAA says Australia must follow suit. AAAA chief executive Stuart Charity said Australia’s Motor Vehicle … Continue reading Landmark US R2R ruling prompts calls for telematics reform in Australia
Autocare 2025, which returns to Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on 20-21 June, will run alongside the National Light Vehicle Modifications Summit, a critical forum for aftermarket leaders, manufacturers, and regulators to discuss the future of vehicle modification in Australia. The event, hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), will also feature a Workshop … Continue reading Future of vehicle modification and workshop innovation at Autocare 2025
Australia’s federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is running a public consultation survey about permit schemes, including the one operated by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). The survey is live now and will close at 5pm on 28 February 2025. VASA members are encouraged to take part in the survey … Continue reading Have your say: RAC Permit Scheme consultation closes on February 28
VASA has started 2025 by welcoming Greg Shoemark to its board of directors. Many VASA members will have met Greg at the last two Wire & Gas events or at the Australian Refrigeration Council exhibit during the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, Autocare, ARBS and other industry get-togethers. Late last year, Greg retired from his role … Continue reading Greg Shoemark joins VASA board
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is at the forefront of two major developments shaping the nation’s automotive future: the review of Australian Design Rules (ADR) and the critical role of local technicians in the clean energy transition. Addressing ADR challenges The AAAA has welcomed the review of the ADR framework, in which the federal … Continue reading AAAA tackles regulation, advocates for progress toward a clean economy
The Australian federal government has launched $60 million of rebates to help automotive dealerships and repairers to fund the installation of electric vehicle charging equipment. Under the Dealership and Repairer Initiative for Vehicle Electrification Nationally (DRIVEN) program, rebates of up to $2500 for each charger installed are offered to eligible businesses, with a cap of … Continue reading Rebates now available for repairers that install EV chargers
Save the date: Wire & Gas 2026 will take place from July 31 – August 2 in Brisbane (venue to be announced). After a successful Wire & Gas 2024 in Brisbane, the VASA board has decided that Australasia’s premier automotive air-conditioning, electrical and thermal management industry event will return to the Queensland capital in 2026. … Continue reading Wire & Gas 2026 will return to Brisbane
As you are reading VASA content, there is probably someone in your life who would appreciate and enjoy their very own copy of Cool Mavericks, the only definitive history book of automotive air-conditioning, which in itself makes this a historically significant publication. The subject matter is far from dry; Cool Mavericks is a fittingly entertaining tribute to the … Continue reading Order the Cool Mavericks air-con book in time for Christmas!
Unicla celebrated its 60th anniversary with a prestigious win: An Australian Good Design Award for its innovative eDrive electric compressor. The 80-member jury was impressed by the eDrive’s forward-thinking design, which represents a significant advancement in the industry. Unicla director Mark Mitchell received the award at a ceremony in Sydney on September 20. The eDrive … Continue reading Good Design Award for Unicla eDrive
