Motor vehicle repairers licensing

To obtain a motor vehicle repair business licence you will need to:

• Ensure you have an appropriate premises from which to operate. 
• Download the application for a motor vehicle repair business licence and complete all relevant sections of the form. 
• Provide the relevant police check(s), which are not more than three (3) months old at the time of lodgement, for all partners/directors or the sole trader. Only police checks issued by our list of approved providers will be accepted.
• Attach/pay the correct fee. This is payable at the time of lodging the application.
• Check to make sure that the application form is complete and that you have provided all relevant supporting documents. 

 Apply for a motor vehicle repair business licence 

To obtain a motor vehicle repairer's certificate you will need to:

• Decide which class or classes of repair work you require.
• Check which qualifications or training courses you need to complete to get the certificate or licence you need.
• Download the application for a motor vehicle repairer's certificate.
• Provide the relevant police check, which is not more than three (3) months old at the time of lodgement. Only police checks issued by our list of approved providers will be accepted.
• Provide a passport photo and proof of identity.
• Attach/pay the correct fee. This is payable at the time of lodging the application.
• Check to make sure that the application form is complete and that you have provided all relevant supporting documents. 

Apply for a motor vehicle repairer's certificate

Every business in the motor repair and servicing industry requires a repair business licence.

If you manufacture parts but do not fit them to a vehicle you are exempt and will not require a licence. You will need a licence if you repair, modify or service the vehicle.

A vehicle body builder who modifies a vehicle by creating a new body is not considered to be a manufacturer and therefore must hold a licence.

Exempted activities

The following services have been specifically exempted from the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 2003 and do not require a licence: 

• vehicle washing and cleaning services
• repairing and installing refrigeration units in trailers
• repairing and installing fridges, stoves, sinks toilets and other furnishings in vehicles
• repairing and installing equipment such as cranes, concrete mixers, welders and other industrial equipments fixed to vehicles
• removal or dismantling only parts by wreckers;
• window tinting
• repairing and installing accessories that do not affect the performance, safety or security of a vehicle
• repairing Segways and vehicles with a power output of not more than 200 watts.

Accessory fitting

Repairers do not need to be certified if they are repairing or installing accessories which do not affect the performance, safety or security of a motor vehicle.

• bonnet protectors
• light globes
• headlight protectors
• jerry can carriers
• luggage and roof racks
• protective awnings, car top tents, enclosures and canopies
• side steps, rails and boards
• skirts
• sound systems and radios
• spare wheel racks/carriers
• spoilers
• tow bars (bolted)
• ute linings
• vehicle detailing
• water carriers (rack or body mounted)
• weather shields
• wiper blades.