MVIS information for data providers, repairers and RTOs

Definition of data providers, repairers and registered training organisations

Data providers

A data provider is a person or corporation that supplies scheme information to one or more Australian repairers (repairers) or registered training organisations.

Data providers may include:

• car manufacturers
• local distributors
• importers
• other affiliates such as data aggregators.

Repairers

A repairer is a person who runs a business of diagnosing faults with motor vehicles in Australia. This includes servicing, repairing, modifying, or dismantling motor vehicles.

This also includes:

• specialist repairers such as auto electricians, transmission, brake, suspension and windscreen technicians
• vehicle body or smash repairers.

Individuals who repair their own vehicles as a hobby cannot access service and repair information under this scheme.

Registered training organisations

An Australian registered training organisation, also referred to as an RTO, provides educational courses on diagnosing faults with:

• servicing
• repairing
• modifying, or
• dismantling vehicles.

Registered training organisations are registered by the Australian Skill Quality Authority (ASQA) or a state regulator. They deliver nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET).

Registered training organisations need to meet rigorous government standards to be registered by the Australian Skill Quality Authority. Registration allows the provider to issue nationally recognised qualifications

Responsibilities of data providers

Data providers have responsibilities under the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme.

Data providers must:

• offer to supply scheme information and make it easily accessible by publishing it on their website and making the offer free to access. The Scheme Adviser must also be notified of this
• supply scheme information prepared by or for manufacturers of motor vehicles covered under the scheme. This includes information used for diagnostics, services or repairs
• charge no more than the fair market value to supply scheme information
• where possible, supply scheme information immediately after payment
• have reasonable terms and conditions that do not prevent, restrict, or limit access to this information
• pay compensation to any third parties that hold copyright to information they’re obligated to share under the scheme
• have an agreement in place between both parties to share scheme information
• provide scheme information in a format that is easily accessible by repairers and registered training organisations.

Data providers must not:

• set terms that require repairers and registered training organisations to acquire one or more services or products to access scheme information
• increase the price after it has been agreed to.

Under the scheme, the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA) acts as the Scheme Advisor. AASRA assists in ensuring that data providers meet their responsibilities.

Find out more about the Scheme Advisor’s role.

See Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme: Guidance for data providers

Penalties for not complying with the scheme

Data providers that fail to meet their responsibilities face significant penalties.

This can be:

• a maximum penalty of $10 million for a body corporate, or
• $500,000 for persons other than a body corporate.

A court will determine the appropriate penalty amount based on individual circumstances.

The ACCC can also issue infringement notices. These include notices of up to 600 penalty units for a body corporate ($133,200) for contraventions of certain obligations.

Rights of repairers and registered training organisations

Under the scheme, repairers and registered training organisations can buy service and repair information, at a fair price. This information is for use to diagnose faults with, service or to repair vehicles.

Data providers must publish this information in an easily accessible format on their website.

To access this information there must be an agreement in place between the repairer or registered training organisation and a data provider.

Data providers must provide scheme information that is either:

• in the same format as they provide to other repairers, or
• another format that is easily accessible.

The Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA) provide help accessing information. They can also help to verify individual credentials if required.

You can also find a list of car manufacturers, with links to their websites with scheme information on the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority website.

Restricted information

Some repairers and registered training organisations may also be eligible to access safety and security information. Access to safety and security information is restricted.

Data providers must keep safety and security information separate from other scheme information. Only individuals with proper credentials can access this information.

Safety or security information can only be accessed if:

• it is being used for repairer’s business or providing a registered training organisation course, and
• the individual requesting access has passed the required ‘fit and proper person’ check.

Safety

Each system connected to the following propulsion systems installed in a vehicle is safety information:

• the hydrogen system
• the high voltage system
• the electric propulsion system, or
• any other system connected to the above three types of systems.

Security

Information about a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical security system is security information. This includes information about the locking and immobilising of the vehicle.

This information is:

• unique to the vehicle
• only used for a limited time.

Disputes between data providers and repairers or registered training organisations

If a dispute arises, both parties are encouraged to resolve the dispute informally. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, either party can appoint a mediator to try and resolve the dispute.

If both parties are unable to agree on a mediator, AASRA can nominate a mediator to commence the dispute resolution process.

Data providers, repairers and registered training organisations can contact AASRA for more information about dispute resolution.

See also

Contact AASRA for all other operational enquires.

See the section on ACCC's and AASRA’s roles for more information on the responsibilities of each.