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A press release from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional
Development
-
February 2016
The Australian Government has announced a number of changes to the
Motor Vehicle Standards Act
1989
. These reforms will deliver modernised legislation to increase community safety, provide greater
choice and competition in the Australia vehicle market, and remove unnecessary red tape on
businesses.
Reforming the Act
The
Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989
(the Act) controls the safety, environmental and anti-theft
performance of all vehicles entering the Australian market for the first time – both new and used.
Since the Act and its regulations were last reviewed over 14 years ago, there have been significant
changes in global and domestic automobile markets, improvements in vehicle technologies, and a
general shift towards online purchasing.
In 2014 the Australian Government announced a comprehensive review of the Act, which has
involved substantial public consultation. Submissions received by the Department of Infrastructure
and Regional Development (the Department) during the review process indicate that there is now an
opportunity to significantly improve the Act and its administration.
The changes are designed to strengthen and modernise the Act, so that Australia’s vehicle fleet
continues to offer world-leading standards in community and environmental safety.
The reforms will give more choice to car buyers and save industry over $70 million a year in lower
regulatory compliance costs.
In addition to continuing the harmonisation of Australia’s vehicle standards with international
best-practice, the Australian Government is proposing to introduce a number of changes to the Act
and associated administrative processes. These include:
••
allowing individuals to import new vehicles from selected right hand drive countries with
comparable vehicle standards to Australia;
•
improving consumer access to imported specialist and enthusiast vehicles;
•
simplifying the process for importing vehicles through the Registered Automotive Workshop
Scheme while improving the quality of those vehicles;
•
simplifying the pathways for importing vehicles granted concessions against the Act;
•
streamlining the supply of mainstream (full volume) new vehicles; and
•
clarifying suppliers’ recall responsibilities for all vehicles.
The Australian Government will also amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to remove the $12,000
special duty on imported used vehicles, from 2018.
Implementation and further consultation
The arrangements outlined below will be refined through further consultation with stakeholders.
Legislation will be introduced into Parliament as soon as possible and the reforms, with the exception
of personal new imports, will commence 12 months after the passage of legislation, with a transition
period to allow businesses to adapt to new arrangements. Personal new imports are expected to be
introduced in 2018.
Personal New Imports
From 2018, individuals will be able to import new vehicles directly from countries with comparable
vehicle standards to Australia. This will increase the choice of vehicles available to Australian buyers
and provide increased competition in the market. In particular, this will address situations in which
vehicle manufacturers choose not to make all variants of a make or model (for example manual, diesel,
or hybrid variants) available in Australia. Individuals will be limited to importing:
•
One vehicle in any 24-month period.
•
Vehicles that have travelled 500km or less and are less than 12 months old at the time of
Motor Vehicle Standards Act Reform