Who is AASRA?

The Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA) is the independent body responsible for administering and overseeing the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS) under the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme) Act 2021. One of AASRA's primary functions is to support smaller aftermarket service providers and RTOs in accessing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) repair manuals.

What does AASRA do?

AASRA oversees the vetting process, ensuring it is carried out in line with the Scheme rules for individuals seeking access to security or safety-related repair information. The scheme provides repairers and registered training organisations with access to service and repair information as well as software updates. Such information is essential for RTOs to deliver up-to-date training and enable a pipeline of skilled workers.

What resources are available under AASRA?

• Access to all participating manufacturer data portals
• Access to a dedicated AASRA help desk that will action the issue directly with the manufacturer
• All general repair and service information, as well as safety and security information for all vehicles manufactured after 1 January 2002.

What does it cost?

An AASRA membership costs AUD $99 + GST per year for a ‘Technician' level, which allows access to manuals, repair procedures, diagnostics etc.

There are additional fees for upgrades/add-ons, for example:

• Vehicle Security Professional (VSP) upgrade (for access to key codes, immobiliser codes, etc.) costs AUD $220 + GST per year
• EV / Hybrid (high voltage) safety upgrade is a one-off charge of AUD $60 + GST (certificate required)
• Hydrogen upgrade is AUD $50 + GST one-off (certificate required)

Some additional start-up costs can entail:

• Application fee $99 
• VSP $231
• Police check $99
• High Voltage $55 

What are the challenges related to accessing OEM information?

A key challenge related to accessing OEM information through a membership subscription is the cost, as this information was once available for free use. Licensing agreements can be strict; if a teacher retires or is no longer teaching, the ownership of the license cannot be transferred. However, various OEMs may require users to navigate away from AASRA’s website to theirs, re-register, and then search for relevant resources. Some have also reported that learning how to navigate each unique OEM portal can be time-consuming, in addition to managing multiple ad-hoc short-term subscription purchases, which can be burdensome.

Recommendations for improving access to OEM information

Educational Users

Most licensing schemes have separate provisions that distinguish between educational and commercial licences. Thus, allowing educational users to access resources at a lower cost. AASRA should consider adjusting the model to allow more affordable or flexible options for RTOs, with further considerations for smaller RTOs, and those in the regions.

Application Process

The application process needs to be re-evaluated to reduce compliance burden and the time it takes for an individual to gain access to the portal. Further consideration is also needed to evaluate OEM-related access requirements. Enabling the provision of all resources directly on AASRA’s portal will allow users a more seamless experience rather than having to navigate multiple portals, thus improving access.