Australia’s auto industry now has a national guide to help repairers safely handle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) during repairs.
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) released the ADAS Industry Code of Conduct at Autocare 2025. The new code shows workshops, windscreen services, tyre shops, and collision repairers how to check and recalibrate ADAS features like emergency braking, lane keeping, and blind spot monitoring.
ADAS Becomes a Key Safety Feature
ADAS systems are becoming standard in new vehicles and play a major role in saving lives. Experts expect that by 2030, 43% of cars on Australian roads will have ADAS. But until now, the aftermarket had no clear national guide for when and how to recalibrate these systems after repairs.
Lesley Yates, AAAA’s Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, said the new code solves a major safety gap.
“ADAS isn’t just a feature or an optional extra—it’s the foundation of future automotive technology. It’s the beginning of the next technological revolution,” said Yates.
What Happens After a Repair Matters
Yates said that while AEB is now mandatory in all new vehicles under ADR 98/00, there are no national rules about what to do after repairs.
“The road safety regulators are right to put their faith in technologies like AEB. These systems will save lives,” she said. “But that regulation only governs what happens when a vehicle enters the market.”
“What happens after that—when the vehicle is repaired, a windscreen is replaced, or when the suspension is modified—is just as important,” Yates said. “Until now, there’s been no shared national approach to when and how calibration should occur.”
A Practical Guide for Real Workshops
ARCA (Automotive Repairers Council of Australia) developed the code to give clear steps, checklists, and real-world examples that suit different parts of the industry. The code supports original equipment manufacturer (OEM) advice but also helps in cases where no OEM guide exists.
Craig Baills, ARCA Chair and owner of Highfields Mechanical, said the code brings the industry together.
“We’ve had to bring together a lot of perspectives—mechanical, collision, tyre, windscreen, tool suppliers, trainers, and more. And we’ve done it,” said Baills. “This is a practical document. It doesn’t live in theory—it lives in the workshop. And it’s something that every business, regardless of size or specialty, can use to lift their game and protect their customers.”
Getting ADAS Right Builds Trust in Autonomy
Yates said ADAS is the first step toward self-driving vehicles and must be handled correctly.
“If we don’t get ADAS right, we don’t get autonomy at all,” she said. “Public trust in autonomous vehicles will depend on our ability to maintain and service these systems accurately and consistently. Calibration isn’t just a workshop procedure—it’s a national safety issue.”
Industry Leads from Within
AAAA CEO Stuart Charity said the new code shows how industry leadership can create change.
“This is exactly what a leading national industry association should be doing—bringing people together, fostering collaboration, and producing practical solutions to real-world problems,” said Charity. “It’s a clear signal to government and to the broader industry that we take our responsibilities seriously—and that we can lead from within.”
What Happens Next?
AAAA plans to update the code regularly as technology changes. The organisation will bring back the ADAS Technical Working Group in six months to review feedback and make updates.
Yates said AAAA is ready to keep leading. “We’ve built a national ADAS Code because we know where the future is heading,” she said. “We’ve done the work. And we’ll keep doing the work—because that’s what leadership looks like.”
Workshops can now download the ADAS Industry Code of Conduct here.
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