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The European Union’s ambitious F-gas regulation, designed to slash emissions from the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry, is causing headaches at home and diplomatic friction abroad. In Denmark, trade body Dansk Køl & Varme has publicly slammed the Danish Chemicals Inspectorate for what it calls enforcement failures. The association says illegal refrigerant sales are happening openly … Continue reading Trade disputes, enforcement gaps plague EU F-Gas regs

Peter Yee

It is with heavy hearts that the VASA board must announce the passing of Peter Yee, managing director of compressor manufacturer Unicla International Limited, who died peacefully in Hong Kong on 7th May 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He had been battling an illness diagnosed just over a year ago. Peter’s legacy in the … Continue reading Vale Peter Yee

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC)’s 2024/25 summer ‘Look for The Tick’ campaign resultes in significant increases in consumer engagement, with website visits increasing 62.66 per cent over the previous year to 136,000. Licence checks through this service jumped by 58.75 per cent to nearly 13,000 checks completed this year alone, while more than 18,500 business … Continue reading Look for The Tick uptick

Industry leaders and organisations are sounding alarms about a deepening skills shortage in the automotive sector, although there are glimmers of hope. According to Capricorn group CEO Brad Gannon, half of the automotive co-op’s members identified finding skilled staff and apprentices as their biggest business challenge. The shortage has persisted for more than a decade, … Continue reading Skills shortage insights

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has called for NSW Fair Trading to rethink a proposal that would prohibit trained and qualified light vehicle technicians from servicing or repairing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) unless they complete an additional mandatory course. Outlined in a draft Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), sweeping restrictions on the automotive repair industry … Continue reading NSW must rethink EV repair proposal: AAAA

With just weeks to go until Autocare 2025, Australia’s largest education-led automotive convention is shaping up to deliver huge value for professionals across the aftermarket sector. The two-day event, running 20-21 June at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, promises to tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges head-on, such as electrification and AI integration, workforce … Continue reading Autocare 2025 fast approaching!

Autocare 2025, Australia’s premier automotive training convention returning to Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 20-21 June, will deliver an exclusive opportunity for technicians to master advanced diagnostics and vehicle systems. Hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, Autocare will feature a comprehensive Workshop Management Program designed to help business owners discover new strategies to … Continue reading Autocare 2025 program shapes up

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has updated regulations to enable qualified electric vehicle (EV) technicians to obtain refrigerant handling licenses. It addresses the growing need for skilled professionals capable of servicing and maintaining the complex thermal management systems in electric vehicles. These vehicles use refrigerant-based systems for battery and … Continue reading Electric Vehicle Technicians Gain Access to Refrigerant Handling Licenses

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