Archives: Dealer Bulletins

This is to remind members of the upcoming annual general meeting of the members of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association Limited. The details of this meeting are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday 28 October 2025
• Time: 2:00pm (AEDT)
• Place: Video conference (details provided upon registration)

REGISTER FOR AADA AGM

At the meeting, members will be asked to consider and vote to:

• accept the annual report
• accept the director’s report
• accept the auditor’s report
• accept the annual financial statements
• accept the outcome of the election of directors

DOWNLOAD NOTICE OF AGM & PROXY VOTING FORM

The wait is over – the AADA Dealer Academy is officially live and ready for your team to get started.

As a AADA member, you now have access to Australia’s first and only online training academy built for dealers, backed by dealers.

Designed with input from leading dealerships across the country, the Academy provides a dedicated resource for staff development and training, supporting your business by empowering your team with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s competitive market.

From management to administration, the AADA Dealer Academy offers a range of practical, automotive-specific courses tailored to every role in your dealership. Each course is designed to help you drive growth, ensure compliance, and boost profitability.

Some highlights of the AADA Dealer Academy include:

• Browse and subscribe to courses relevant to your role.
• Start, pause, or repeat bite-sized modules anytime.
• Build a custom learning path that fits your dealership’s needs.

FIND OUT MORE

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Academy team at info@aadadealeracademycom.au.

The AADA, in partnership with AutoGrab, have released the September 2025 Automotive Insights Report (AIR), offering a national snapshot of used car sales and listings across both dealer and private transactions with 200,916 vehicles sold during the month.

September’s results show the used car market holding steady, with total sales edging slightly lower but vehicles selling faster than at any point this year. Average days to sell fell again, indicating sustained buyer activity despite overall volumes easing.

Key insights from September include:

• Sales ease slightly: National used car sales totalled 200,916, down 1.3 per cent month-on-month. NSW and the NT bucked the trend, recording increases in sales activity.
• Vehicles selling faster: The average days to sell fell to 42.4 days, down from 43.9 in August – the lowest figure of 2025 so far and continuing the steady decline from March’s high of 51.3 days.
• Dealer activity steady: Dealers accounted for 53.1 per cent of all sales and 59.8 per cent of listings, showing stable participation despite a marginal dip in total active listings to 338,090.
• EV momentum returns: Used EV sales rose 8.9 per cent to 2,995 vehicles, reversing last month’s fall.

The used car market continues to show resilience. Even with overall volumes softening, vehicles are turning over faster, which highlights strong underlying demand for well-priced stock. Dealers are maintaining solid inventory levels and adapting quickly to changing consumer preferences.

Price pressures in the new EV market are clearly flowing through to used cars with challenges remaining regarding vehicle depreciation. Used EV prices have dropped faster than the rest of the market, which isn’t surprising given the big discounts now being offered on new models.

Dealers seeking more granular and local data can contact AutoGrab directly for a tailored solution.

If you are a dealer of a contributing brand and would like access to the monthly report please email Communications Manager Ashleigh Sykes on asykes@aada.asn.au.

The countdown is on and you are invited. The AADA Dealer Academy is officially launching on October 20th!

It is Australia’s first and only online training academy built for dealers, backed by dealers. Delivering a fast-growing library of practical, automotive-specific eLearning designed to lift capability, sharpen performance, and energise teams across your dealership.

Access is included in your AADA membership, so secure your place now for our October 20 launch.

What you can expect

• Targeted courses focused on real dealership roles.
• Bite-sized modules you can start, pause or repeat anytime, to integrate with your dealership operations and business demands.
• A fully customisable training library, so you can choose what you need, when you need it.
• An eLearning Subscription model for a cost-effective training option.

To find out more information and what courses we have on offer, visit the AADA Dealer Academy website.

Ready to get started?

To prepare your team for the October 20 launch, please register your details and our Academy team will be in contact to guide your team through the onboarding process to ensure everything is set for launch day.

ACTIVATE YOUR ACCESS NOW

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Academy team at info@aadadealeracademycom.au.

In response to changes to the NSW Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulations 2025, the AADA has prepared a set of member-only fact sheets to assist franchised new car dealers in understanding their obligations under the new rules.

The Regulation commenced on 1 September 2025, following extensive consultation with industry stakeholders. While several key proposals (such as a new EV repair licence class) did not proceed, there are a number of important changes dealers must comply with.

Fact Sheet 1 – Online selling Requirements

New provisions now govern the sale of motor vehicles online. Dealers currently operating online have until 1 December 2025 to notify NSW Fair Trading and meet all other requirements. Dealers who commence online selling after 1 September 2025 must notify NSW Fair Trading at least 20 business days before starting sales.

DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET 1 – ONLINE SELLING REQUIREMENTS

Fact Sheet 2 – Compensation Fund Changes

The Regulation also expanded the Motor Dealers and Repairers Compensation Fund, lifting the maximum claim limit from $40,000 to $100,000 and extending coverage to older vehicles, motorcycles and trailers. It also clarifies the types of conduct that may trigger compensation, while NSW Fair Trading retains oversight of the Fund and authority to adjust levies.

DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET 2 – COMPENSATION FUND CHANGES

Fact Sheet 3 – Other Regulatory Changes

The Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025 also introduced additional reforms, including extending dealer guarantees to trailers from September 2026, longer recordkeeping obligations, new rules for trade show participation, tougher recycler restrictions, and higher penalties for odometer tampering and unlicensed trading.

DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET 3 – OTHER REGULATORY CHANGES

What Dealers Should Do

Dealers should review their online sales and compliance processes ahead of the December 2025 deadline, update recordkeeping systems, and ensure staff are across the new obligations.

This is to advise you of the upcoming annual general meeting of the members of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association Limited. The details of this meeting are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday 28 October 2025
• Time: 2:00pm (AEDT)
• Place: Video conference (details provided upon registration)

REGISTER FOR AADA AGM

At the meeting, members will be asked to consider and vote to:

• accept the annual report
• accept the director’s report
• accept the auditor’s report
• accept the annual financial statements
• accept the outcome of the election of directors

DOWNLOAD NOTICE OF AGM & PROXY VOTING FORM

 

Notice of 2025 AADA Board Elections and Nominations

The new AADA was established in 2014 by its Founding Members.

In 2025, the representative positions up for election in your state are:

• New South Wales: Chad Davies – standing for re-election
• South Australia: David Reynolds – standing for re-election
• Tasmania: Justin Rooke – standing for re-election

Suitably qualified and experienced motor vehicle dealers are entitled to stand and contest the election for New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania in the forthcoming elections. The closing date for nominations is COB 14 October 2025.

If no other candidate contests the election in the States listed, then those who have nominated for re-election above will be duly elected and serve a three-year term.

Parties interested should confirm their desire to stand for election in writing to AADA Company Secretary, Brian Savage.

All candidates must comply with the AADA Code of Practice regarding Elections, which will be provided upon a candidate standing.

AADA Directors serve in an entirely voluntary capacity and donate their time and experience to give back to the industry. More details of the role and likely time required to fulfil the role can be provided by the AADA.

DOWNLOAD NOTICE OF 2025 AADA BOARD ELECTIONS AND NOMINATIONS

Round 2 of the DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream is now open, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is hosting an information session for members.

The DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream provides up to $40 million for Australia’s automotive dealerships and EV repairers to purchase and install eligible EV chargers at their business.

This information session is for automotive dealerships and service centres and will explain recent changes to the DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream and provide you with tips on how to apply.

• Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
• Time: 2pm AEDT
• Location: Online (via Teams)
• Who should attend: Automotive dealerships and service centres

Register below to attend the information session for dealerships and service centres and submit any questions you would like us to answer during the session.

REGISTER

Visit the DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream website for more information.

The AADA is delighted to host a Western Australia Dealer Roadshow, giving dealers the chance to shape the association’s policy agenda by discussing the key issues that matter most to their businesses.

Why attend?

The roadshow provides a unique platform for franchise dealers to engage directly with the industry bodies that advocate on their behalf both federally and in Western Australia.

Who will be there?

The events will be facilitated by AADA CEO James Voortman, AADA Director of Industry Affairs Michael McKenna and AADA Member of Engagement Manager WA Mark Korol. They will provide key updates on pressing industry issues, including:

• The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard
• Australian Consumer Law and AADA’s planned root and branch review (with an emphasis on manufacturers indemnity and treatment of their dealer networks)
• Luxury Car Tax update
• PPSR Review
• AADA Dealer Satisfaction Survey update
• The transition to EVs, its impact on regional Australian dealers, and the DRIVEN Program
• Franchise Code Reforms
• Online classified platforms
• AADA Dealer Academy
• WA Public Holiday update

Who should attend the WA Dealer Roadshow?

Ideally your dealership should be represented by the Dealer Principal/ General Manager, Service Manager, CFO or other senior dealership staff.

How to register?

Secure your spot by completing the registration form below.

REGISTER NOW

Round 2 of the Dealership and Repairer Initiative for Vehicle Electrification Nationally (DRIVEN) Rebate Stream is opening on Monday 22 September 2025.

The DRIVEN Program provides funding towards the purchase and/or installation of eligible DC EV chargers at dealerships to support the transition to lower emission vehicles across Australia.

Some key changes to the grant guidelines for Round 2 include:

• Easier application process.
• Increased number of rebate claims per site.
• EV chargers no longer need to meet the 7kW minimum to qualify for the grant.
• Increased rebate amount up to $3,000 per EV charger plug.
• If a third party, such as a Charge Point Operator, helped with preparing your application, you can now claim up to $200 to cover their fees.
• Applicants who successfully applied in Round 1 and received a rebate of less than $3,000 per plug may be eligible for a supplementary rebate to bring their total rebate per plug to the current maximum of $3,000. This will require an application to be made under this round.

Who is this fund for?

• Licensed motor dealers/traders
• Service centres associated with a licensed motor dealer/trader
• EV Repairers

The Department will be holding an information session for dealers in the coming weeks to discuss the key changes and respond to any queries.

Secure your spot by completing the registration form, and submit your questions in advance to be covered in the information session.

VIEW GRANT GUIDELINES

VIEW SAMPLE APPLICATION FORM

NSW Fair Trading has confirmed that the new Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025 will commence on 1 September 2025, following an extended period of consultation with industry stakeholders.

The AADA notes the limited notice regarding the release of these regulations. We were advised of the changes by NSW Fair Trading late on Friday and are sharing this update with members at the earliest opportunity.

Importantly, the Regulation does not proceed with the previously proposed introduction of a separate electric vehicle (EV) technician repair class or additional mandatory EV training requirements.

Key Information – Summary of Changes

The Regulation introduces a range of new requirements for licensed motor dealers, repairers, and recyclers. Dealers should be aware of the following key changes.

Online Sales Framework

• Dealers must notify NSW Fair Trading if they sell wholly or partly online (using a prescribed form).
• Online dealers must:
  • Use an “.au” domain name.
  • Display their dealer licence number on websites and advertising.
  • Allow buyers to inspect vehicles prior to delivery/collection.
  • Limit deposits to 10% of the vehicle price before possession.
  • Observe a cooling-off period until 5pm the next day.
• Compliance with these changes is required by 1 December 2025, with Fair Trading taking an ‘educational’ compliance approach in the interim.

Retention of Dealer Notices

• Licensed motor dealers must retain dealer notices for 6 years from sale. This is an increase from the previous 3-year requirement.

Compensation Fund

• Coverage expanded to:
  • Vehicles over 35 years old.
  • Motorcycles over 10 years old or not used mainly for private purposes.
  • Trailers and towable vehicles.
• Maximum claim amount increased from $40,000 to $100,000.

Other Relevant Changes

• Trade shows: motor vehicle dealers who do not hold a licence in NSW may be able to participate in a NSW trade show, provided the show is a ‘declared trade show’.
• Qualifications: motor vehicle tradesperson certificate requirements now set administratively, rather than prescribed in the Regulation, to reflect VET system changes.
• Motor vehicle recyclers: banned from using cash payments and from trading vehicles/parts with removed or defaced identifiers.
• Penalties increased for odometer tampering and unlicensed trading.
• From 1 September 2026, the dealer guarantee will extend to trailers and towable vehicles.

The Regulation commences 1 September 2025, with a grace period for online sales requirements until 1 December 2025. Dealers should review their online sales arrangements, recordkeeping systems, and compliance processes ahead of the deadline.

The AADA is working closely with NSW Fair Trading to provide further guidance and ensure the rollout of the new Regulation is practical for dealers.

CHANGES TO MDRA 2025

STATEMENT OF REGULATORY INTENT