The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) has warned against introducing new licensing requirements for electric vehicle servicing and repair. They argue that existing training and safety frameworks are already equipped to support the growing electric vehicle (EV) market.
The MTAA said proposals for separate state-based EV licensing or certification schemes risk increasing costs, reducing repair capacity and adding pressure to an already constrained workforce.
This comes as several state governments examine regulatory approaches for EV servicing and repair as electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate.
Existing frameworks already in place
The MTAA said Australia already has nationally recognised automotive training programs, established safety standards and manufacturer repair procedures covering EV servicing and maintenance.
“The industry is already delivering safe, effective EV servicing under established frameworks,” said MTAA Interim Executive Director Peter Jones.
“Introducing new licensing requirements where they are not needed risks increasing costs, reducing repair access and placing further pressure on an already constrained workforce.”
Mr Jones said policymakers should focus on supporting the transition to electric vehicles rather than creating additional layers of regulation.
“This is not a regulatory gap that needs filling,” he said.
“We already have nationally recognised training, established safety standards and detailed manufacturer and repair procedures in place. The priority should be ensuring these are consistently applied – not replaced with fragmented licensing regimes.”
Industry points to growing EV market
The MTAA noted that Australia’s EV market continues to expand, with more than 157,000 electric vehicles sold in 2025, representing 13.1 per cent of all new vehicle sales.
Battery-electric vehicles (BEV) also accounted for a record 19.9 per cent of new vehicle sales in May 2026.
The association said regulatory settings should support workforce readiness and repair capacity as EV volumes increase.
Concerns over additional repair requirements
The MTAA also raised concerns about proposals that could require licensed electricians to undertake tasks such as EV de-energisation before automotive technicians can begin repair work.
“De-energisation is already an established automotive repair function, supported by existing training and safety protocols,” said Mr Jones.
“Requiring additional trades to perform these tasks would add cost, delay repairs and create inefficiencies for no clear safety benefit.”
The association also pointed to a recent Western Australian Government review, which concluded that a dedicated EV repair licence class or additional qualification requirements were not warranted at this stage.
Call for nationally consistent policy
The MTAA said any future regulatory changes should be evidence-based, nationally consistent, and recognise the competencies already held by qualified automotive technicians.
They further argued that additional licensing requirements should only be considered where there is clear evidence of a safety risk or market failure that cannot be addressed through existing training and compliance frameworks.
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