End-of-Life (EOL) EV Battery 

Australia's end-of-life EV battery value chain is still largely undeveloped, despite the rising number of EVs on the road. About 15% of consumers believe that it's the vehicle dealer's responsibility to ensure there is sufficient charging infrastructure.⁹ The growing demand for EV services and EOL battery management highlights the need for specialised training in technology and battery recycling. Despite the fact that battery recycling is downstream from the Automotive industry, there is still a role for the industry to play in the battery recycling ecosystem. For example, EV batteries, at the end of their life, are usable as stationary batteries, and someone in the workshop would need to depower, isolate, and remove the battery and make it safe for handover or transport out of the workshop. Skills relevant to this handover would be needed in a workshop to enable Automotive businesses to play an important role in the circular economy.  

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) 

Many automotive manufacturers are incorporating AI-powered ADAS to improve vehicle safety. These systems include features like adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, forward-collision warning, and drowsiness detection. ADAS helps ensure better vehicle control even in challenging driving conditions, minimising the risk of road accidents.¹⁰ 

ADAS attracts new apprentices but poses challenges for VET providers due to the industry's reluctance to share proprietary systems. There are also training concerns where Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) do not have the equipment necessary to train workers in the new technology. This absence can create a lag in adoption, meaning the technology will sit idle (or not be fully used) until the training of the existing workforce is completed.¹¹ Australia tends to import both ADAS and its relevant diagnosis, repair, and maintenance software. The skills relevant to developing and maintaining such systems are largely delivered through on-the-job training or higher education qualifications in data science and programming. As the Automotive industry leads the development and implementation of these advanced technologies, a conversation is needed on whether we are happy to continue importing such skills and services or whether we would prefer domestic alternatives.  

As EVs become more prevalent, ICE vehicles may experience accelerated scrapping rates.¹² Existing technicians will need to be multi-qualified to service both types of vehicles. With around 60,000 technicians in 2023, including 46,000 in the repair and maintenance sector, the industry is already facing a shortage of nearly 40,000 technicians, compounded by the approaching retirement of 12% of the workforce.^13,14 While there is significant potential to upskill this workforce, the uptake of available EV training has been low since 2021.¹⁵ To ensure a smooth transition and meet future service demands, investment in technician training, improved working conditions, and industry-wide awareness is critical. 

A way forward 

Potential actions: 

Potential actions are only indicative of how AUSMASA and other stakeholders could respond to the feedback we have received. These are subject to shifting priorities as relating to our remit, our instructions from DEWR, stakeholder consultations, and other safety and urgent industry needs and trends. We recommend consideration of these actions by our stakeholders, where relevant. 

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