{"id":"a-2010-16","name":"Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010","slug":"fair-trading-motor-vehicle-repair-industry-act-2010","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"16 of 2010","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23565,"registerId":"act-a-2010-16-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair\nIndustry) Act 2010\nA2010-16\nRepublication No 14\nEffective: 26 November 2025\nRepublication date: 26 November 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-13\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010 (including\nany amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force\non 26 November 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry\naffecting this republished law to 26 November 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair\nIndustry) Act 2010\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act 2\n3 Dictionary 2\n4 Notes 2\n5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 3\nPart 2 Important concepts\n7 Certain people not taken to carry on business as motor vehicle\nrepairer 4\nPart 7 Offences\n49 False or misleading representations 5\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 9 Miscellaneous\n53 Exemptions by regulation 7\n57 Regulation-making power 7\nDictionary 8\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 10\n2 Abbreviation key 10\n3 Legislation history 11\n4 Amendment history 13\n5 Earlier republications 18\n6 Expired transitional or validating provisions 19\n\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair\nIndustry) Act 2010\nAn Act to provide for the licensing and regulation of people in the motor vehicle\nrepair industry, and for other purposes\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry)\nAct 2010.\n3 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined\nelsewhere.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘motor vehicle—see the Sale of\nMotor Vehicles Act 1977, dictionary.’ means that the term ‘motor vehicle’\nis defined in that dictionary and the definition applies to this Act.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n4 Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n\nPreliminary Part 1\nSection 5\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc\nOther legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.\nNote 1 Criminal Code\nThe Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to all offences against this Act (see\nCode, pt 2.1).\nThe chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility\n(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used\nfor offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,\nrecklessness and strict liability).\nNote 2 Penalty units\nThe Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties\nthat are expressed in penalty units.\n\nPart 2 Important concepts\nSection 7\npage 4 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Important concepts\n7 Certain people not taken to carry on business as motor\nvehicle repairer\nFor this Act, a person does not carry on business as a motor vehicle\nrepairer only because the person—\n(a) performs motor vehicle repair work in the course of employment\nby another person; or\n(b) is a member of a partnership that carries on the business; or\n(c) publishes, on behalf of another person, an advertisement\nabout—\n(i) a business carried on, or to be carried on, by the other\nperson; or\n(ii) a service provided, or to be provided, by the other person.\n\nOffences Part 7\nSection 49\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 7 Offences\nNote For investigations by the commissioner—see the Fair Trading\n(Australian Consumer Law) Act 1992, div 5.2.\n49 False or misleading representations\n(1) A person must not, in trade or commerce, in connection with the\nsupply or possible supply of goods or services in relation to motor\nvehicle repair work or in connection with the promotion by any means\nof the supply or use of goods or services in relation to motor vehicle\nrepair work—\n(a) falsely represent that goods are of a particular standard, quality,\nvalue, grade, composition, style or model or have had a\nparticular history or particular previous use; or\n(b) falsely represent that services are of a particular standard,\nquality, value or grade; or\n(c) falsely represent that goods are new; or\n(d) falsely represent that a particular person has agreed to acquire\ngoods or services; or\n(e) represent that goods or services have sponsorship, approval,\nperformance characteristics, accessories, uses or benefits they\ndo not have; or\n(f) represent that the person has a sponsorship, approval or\naffiliation they do not have; or\n(g) make a false or misleading representation in relation to the price\nof goods or services; or\n(h) make a false or misleading representation about the availability\nof facilities for the repair of goods or of spare parts for goods;\nor\n(i) make a false or misleading representation about the place of\norigin of goods; or\n\nPart 7 Offences\nSection 49\npage 6 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(j) make a false or misleading representation about the need for any\ngoods or services; or\n(k) make a false or misleading representation about the existence,\nexclusion or effect of any condition, warranty, guarantee, right\nor remedy; or\n(l) make a false or misleading representation that services have\nbeen or are to be performed with the equipment, materials and\nskill necessary to carry out the work satisfactorily, having regard\nto the age and make of the vehicle, part or system.\n(2) A person does not contravene subsection (1) (i) if the person makes a\nrepresentation about the country of origin of goods and the person\ncomplies with the Australian Consumer Law (ACT), part 5-3\n(Country of origin representations).\n(3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes\nsubsection (1).\nMaximum penalty: 200 penalty units.\n(4) In this section:\ngoods—see the Australian Consumer Law (ACT), section 2 (1).\nprice—see the Australian Consumer Law (ACT), section 2 (1).\nservices—see the Australian Consumer Law (ACT), section 2 (1).\nsupply—see the Australian Consumer Law (ACT), section 2 (1).\ntrade or commerce—see the Australian Consumer Law (ACT),\nsection 2 (1).\n\nMiscellaneous Part 9\nSection 53\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 9 Miscellaneous\n53 Exemptions by regulation\nA regulation may exempt a person from all or any of the provisions\nof this Act.\n57 Regulation-making power\nThe Executive may make regulations for this Act.\nNote Regulations must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly,\nunder the Legislation Act.\n\nDictionary\npage 8 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 3)\nNote The Legislation Act contains definitions relevant to this Act.\nFor example:\n• Australian Consumer Law (ACT)\n• penalty unit (see s 133)\n• person (see s 160).\ncommissioner means the commissioner for fair trading.\nmotor vehicle—see the Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977, dictionary.\nmotor vehicle repair work—\n(a) means—\n(i) any of the following work performed on a motor vehicle,\nmotor vehicle part or motor vehicle system:\n(A) examining or assessing condition or performance\nimprovement;\n(B) diagnosing and detecting of faults;\n(C) overhauling;\n(D) dismantling and assembling;\n(E) servicing and maintenance;\n(F) replacing and adjusting of objects for performance\nimprovement;\n(G) painting and treatment;\n(H) modifying, altering, installing or fitting work; and\n(ii) giving advice on any of the work mentioned in\nsubparagraph (i); and\n\nDictionary\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(iii) any other work prescribed by regulation to be motor\nvehicle repair work; but\n(b) does not include any work prescribed by regulation not to be\nmotor vehicle repair work.\n\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\npage 10 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010 A2010-16\nnotified LR 7 April 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 7 April 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 7 October 2010 (s 2 and LA s 79)\nas amended by\nFair Trading (Australian Consumer Law) Amendment Act 2010\nA2010-54 sch 3 pt 3.8\nnotified LR 16 December 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 16 December 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.8 commenced 1 January 2011 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2011 A2011-3 sch 3 pt 3.19\nnotified LR 22 February 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 22 February 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.19 commenced 1 March 2011 (s 2)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2011\n(No 3) A2011-49 sch 1 pt 1.4\nnotified LR 22 November 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 22 November 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.4 commenced 12 December 2011 (s 2 (2) (a) and see\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 3) A2011-52 s 2)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation (Red Tape Reduction\nNo 1—Licence Periods) Amendment Act 2013 A2013-28 pt 5\nnotified LR 21 August 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 21 August 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 5 commenced 22 August 2013 (s 2)\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2014 A2014-47 pt 3\nnotified LR 6 November 2014\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2014 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 7 November 2014 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 12 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSpent Convictions (Historical Homosexual Convictions\nExtinguishment) Amendment Act 2015 A2015-45 sch 1 pt 1.4\nnotified LR 6 November 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.4 commenced 7 November 2015 (s 2)\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2016 A2016-18\nsch 3 pt 3.23, sch 4 pt 4.4\nnotified LR 13 April 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 13 April 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.23, sch 4 pt 4.4 commenced 27 April 2016 (s 2)\nTraders (Licensing) Act 2016 A2016-46 sch 2 pt 2.2\nnotified LR 22 August 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 22 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.2 commenced 22 August 2017 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2017 A2017-4 sch 3 pt 3.12\nnotified LR 23 February 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.12 commenced 9 March 2017 (s 2)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2025\n(No 2) A2025-3 sch 1 pt 1.3\nnotified LR 14 March 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 14 March 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 21 March 2025 (s 2)\nBetter Regulation Legislation Amendment Act 2025 A2025-13 pt 9\nnotified LR 26 May 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 May 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 9 commenced 26 November 2025 (s 2 (2) and LA s 79)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nCommencement\ns 2 om LA s 89 (4)\nDictionary\ns 3 am A2010-54 amdt 3.22; A2025-13 s 21\nCarrying on business as motor vehicle repairer\ns 6 om A2016-46 amdt 2.3\nLicences\npt 3 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nRequirement for licence\ndiv 3.1 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nPerson carrying on business as motor vehicle repairer to be licensed\ns 8 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nEligibility for licence\ndiv 3.2 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nEligibility for licence\ns 9 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nMeaning of disqualified person\ns 10 am A2010-54 amdt 3.23\nom A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence procedures and details\ndiv 3.3 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nApplication for motor vehicle repair licence\ns 11 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nDecision on application\ns 12 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence conditions\ns 13 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nForm of licence\ns 14 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nReplacement licence\ns 15 am A2016-18 amdt 3.103, amdt 3.104\nom A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence term\ns 16 am A2013-28 s 11\nom A2016-46 amdt 2.4\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 14 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nLicence not transferable\ns 17 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nRenewal of licence\ns 18 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nAmendment of licence on commissioner’s initiative\ns 19 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nAmendment of licence on application\ns 20 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nSurrendering licence\ns 21 am A2016-18 amdt 3.105, amdt 3.106\nom A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence conditions\ndiv 3.4 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—equipment, materials and skill for carrying out work\ns 22 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—agreement for repairs\ns 23 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—additional repairs\ns 24 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—time to carry out work\ns 25 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—replaced parts\ns 26 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—information sheet\ns 27 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—warranties and guarantees\ns 28 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence condition—display of licence\ns 29 om A2016-18 amdt 4.5\nLicence condition—notification of change of name or address\ns 30 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nOccupational discipline\npt 4 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nMeaning of licensee—pt 4\ns 31 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nGrounds for disciplinary action\ns 32 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nApplication to ACAT for occupational discipline\ns 33 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nConsiderations before making occupational discipline orders\ns 34 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nInformation about cancellations etc to be given to corresponding authorities\ns 35 am A2011-3 amdt 3.206\nom A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nEffect of licence suspension\ns 36 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence register\npt 5 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nLicence register\ns 37 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nCorrecting register and keeping it up-to-date\ns 38 om A2016-46 amdt 2.4\nAdvisory committee\npt 6 hdg om A2025-13 s 22\nEstablishment of advisory committee\ns 39 om A2025-13 s 22\nAdvisory committee functions\ns 40 am A2016-46 amdt 2.5, amdt 2.6\nom A2025-13 s 22\nAdvisory committee membership\ns 41 om A2025-13 s 22\nAdvisory committee––chair\ns 42 om A2025-13 s 22\nAdvisory committee—general procedure\ns 43 om A2025-13 s 22\nReimbursement of expenses for advisory committee members\ns 44 om A2025-13 s 22\nAdvisory committee to report on impact of Act etc\ns 45 exp 7 October 2012 (s 45 (5))\nUnlicensed person advertising\ns 46 om A2016-46 amdt 2.7\nReturn of amended, suspended or cancelled licences\ns 48 om A2016-46 amdt 2.7\nOffences\npt 7 hdg note am A2010-54 amdt 3.24; A2025-3 amdt 1.8\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 16 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nLicensee advertising without details\ns 47 om A2014-47 s 6\nFalse or misleading representations\ns 49 am A2010-54 amdt 3.25, amdt 3.26; A2025-3 amdt 1.9;\nA2025-13 s 23\nNotification and review of decisions\npt 8 hdg om A2016-46 amdt 2.8\nMeaning of reviewable decision—pt 8\ns 50 om A2016-46 amdt 2.8\nReviewable decision notices\ns 51 om A2016-46 amdt 2.8\nApplications for review\ns 52 om A2016-46 amdt 2.8\nExemptions by Minister\ns 54 om A2016-46 amdt 2.9\nDetermination of fees\ns 55 om A2016-46 amdt 2.9\nApproved forms\ns 56 om A2025-13 s 24\nLegislation repealed\ns 58 om LA s 89 (3)\nTransitional\npt 10 hdg exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\nDefinitions—pt 10\ns 59 exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\ndef commencement day exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\ndef repealed code exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\nPrincipals under repealed code licensed\ns 60 exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\nRegistration under repealed code\ns 61 exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\nTransitional regulations\ns 62 exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\nExpiry—pt 10\ns 63 exp 7 October 2011 (s 63)\nFair Trading (Consumer Affairs) Act 1973\ns 64 om LA s 89 (3)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nReviewable decisions\nsch 1 om A2016-46 amdt 2.10\nDictionary\ndict am A2010-54 amdt 3.28; A2011-49 amdt 1.8; A2017-4\namdts 3.58-3.60; A2016-46 amdt 2.11; A2025-13 s 25\ndef advisory committee om A2025-13 s 26\ndef carries on business as a motor vehicle repairer om\nA2016-46 amdt 2.12\ndef consumer sub A2010-54 amdt 3.29\nom A2025-13 s 26\ndef corporation om A2016-46 amdt 2.12\ndef disqualified person om A2016-46 amdt 2.12\ndef ground for occupational discipline om A2016-46\namdt 2.12\ndef licence om A2016-46 amdt 2.12\ndef licence number om A2016-46 amdt 2.12\ndef licensee om A2016-46 amdt 2.12\ndef motor vehicle repair work sub A2016-46 amdt 2.13\ndef police certificate am A2011-49 amdt 1.9; A2015-45\namdt 1.4; A2017-4 amdt 3.61\nom A2016-46 amdt 2.14\ndef register om A2016-46 amdt 2.14\ndef representative members om A2025-13 s 26\ndef reviewable decision om R12 LA\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 18 Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR14\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n7 Oct 2010\n7 Oct 2010-\n31 Dec 2010\nnot amended new Act\nR2\n1 Jan 2011\n1 Jan 2011–\n28 Feb 2011\nA2010-54 amendments by\nA2010-54\nR3\n1 Mar 2011\n1 Mar 2011–\n7 Oct 2011\nA2011-3 amendments by\nA2011-3\nR4\n8 Oct 2011\n8 Oct 2011–\n11 Dec 2011\nA2011-3 expiry of\ntransitional\nprovision (pt 10)\nR5\n12 Dec 2011\n12 Dec 2011–\n7 Oct 2012\nA2011-49 amendments by\nA2011-49\nR6\n8 Oct 2012\n8 Oct 2012–\n21 Aug 2013\nA2011-49 expiry of provision\n(s 45)\nR7\n22 Aug 2013\n22 Aug 2013-\n6 Nov 2014\nA2013-28 amendments by\nA2013-28\nR8\n7 Nov 2014\n7 Nov 2014-\n6 Nov 2015\nA2014-47 amendments by\nA2014-47\nR9\n7 Nov 2015\n7 Nov 2015-\n26 Apr 2016\nA2015-45 amendments by\nA2015-45\nR10\n27 Apr 2016\n27 Apr 2016-\n8 Mar 2017\nA2016-18 amendments by\nA2016-18\nR11\n9 Mar 2017\n9 Mar 2017-\n21 Aug 2017\nA2017-4 amendments by\nA2017-4\nR12\n22 Aug 2017\n22 Aug 2017–\n20 Mar 2025\nA2017-4 amendments by\nA2016-46\n\nEndnotes\nExpired transitional or validating provisions 6\nR14\n26/11/25\nFair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR13\n21 Mar 2025\n21 Mar 2025–\n25 Nov 2025\nA2025-3 amendments by\nA2025-3\n6 Expired transitional or validating provisions\nThis Act may be affected by transitional or validating provisions that have expired.\nThe expiry does not affect any continuing operation of the provisions (see\nLegislation Act 2001, s 88 (1)).\nExpired provisions are removed from the republished law when the expiry takes\neffect and are listed in the amendment history using the abbreviation ‘exp’ followed\nby the date of the expiry.\nTo find the expired provisions see the version of this Act before the expiry took\neffect. The ACT legislation register has point-in-time versions of this Act.\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has shrunk dramatically from its original intent. It began as a comprehensive licensing and regulatory scheme for motor vehicle repairers (including eligibility criteria, licence conditions, occupational discipline, and a public register). Successive amendments—particularly the Traders (Licensing) Act 2016 and Better Regulation Legislation Amendment Act 2025—repealed almost the entire operational framework. What remains is essentially a consumer protection provision (false/misleading representations) and definitional scaffolding. The Act has transformed from an industry licensing regime into a sparse consumer protection overlay."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short substantive content—only 3 operative sections remain (ss 7, 49, 53, 57)","Heavy reliance on external definitions (Australian Consumer Law (ACT), Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977)","Single offence provision with 12 sub-paragraphs of prohibited conduct plus a defence in subsection (2)","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic in the current text","Dictionary contains only 3 defined terms (commissioner, motor vehicle, motor vehicle repair work)","Amendment history shows massive deletion of former Parts 3-6, 8, and 10, leaving a skeletal statute"],"plain_english_summary":"This ACT law governs people carrying on motor vehicle repair businesses to protect consumers. Its core surviving rule bans false or misleading claims about repairs, parts, prices or qualifications, punishable by substantial fines.  \n\nMost of the original licensing and advisory framework has been removed, so while deceptive conduct remains criminalised, there’s no longer a licensing gatekeeper—regulations can still create exemptions or add detail."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The Act's scope has been narrowed compared with its original design. When first enacted the Act contained a full licensing and occupational discipline regime for motor vehicle repairers (multiple parts and sections on licences, licence conditions, advisory committees, registers, reviewable decisions and disciplinary procedures). Significant amendments and omissions (notably under the Traders (Licensing) Act 2016 and later amending Acts listed in the amendment history) removed most licensing and occupational discipline provisions from this Act and moved those functions into other legislation or frameworks. The present text focuses largely on definitions and on criminalising false or misleading representations in the motor vehicle repair context, while leaving licensing and administrative detail to other laws or subordinate instruments (see amendment history entries A2016‑46, A2025‑3 and A2025‑13)."},"complexity_factors":["Relatively short current text (few operative sections remain: key ones are s7, s49, s53, s57 and the Dictionary).","Cross‑references to other statutes for definitions and enforcement (Australian Consumer Law (ACT); Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977).","Dictionary contains a multi‑part definition of 'motor vehicle repair work' with both inclusive and exclusive regulation hooks (regulations can add or exclude work).","A non‑trivial amendment history: many original licensing and disciplinary provisions were omitted by later Acts (notably A2016‑46 and subsequent amendments), so understanding current scope requires consulting amendment history and other statutes.","Conditional exceptions within offences (eg s49(2) country‑of‑origin exception subject to compliance with ACL).","Regulation and exemption powers (ss 53–57) create future conditional complexity depending on subordinate instruments.","Penalty structure linked to penalty units with differing values for individuals and corporations (referenced in republication notes), so calculating fines requires another statutory reference."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanically)\n\n- Establishes legal rules that apply to people and businesses involved in motor vehicle repair work in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).\n- The Act defines what counts as \"motor vehicle repair work\" (see Dictionary) and makes a set of criminal offences about false or misleading representations connected with supplying, promoting or pricing motor vehicle repair goods or services (section 49).\n- The Act gives the Executive power to make regulations and allows regulations to exempt people from all or part of the Act (sections 53 and 57).\n- The Act cross‑refers to the ACT Australian Consumer Law (ACL) for many core definitions (for example, \"goods\", \"services\", \"price\", \"trade or commerce\") and for the country‑of‑origin exception in section 49(2).\n\nWho is directly affected\n\n- Motor vehicle repairers and motor repair businesses operating in the ACT who supply goods or services covered by the dictionary definition of \"motor vehicle repair work\" (Dictionary). The definition covers diagnosing, servicing, overhauling, repainting, modifying, advising on that work, and any work the regulations add or exclude.\n- People who advertise or promote motor vehicle repair goods or services in trade or commerce — because the Act makes it an offence to make false or misleading representations about the standard, quality, price, origin, availability of spare parts, need for repairs, warranties and related matters (section 49).\n- Employers and employees: the Act expressly says performing repair work as an employee does not by itself mean the person \"carries on business as a motor vehicle repairer\" for the purpose of this Act (section 7(a)).\n- The commissioner for fair trading and the Executive: the commissioner enforces consumer and fair‑trading rules (noted in the Act), and the Executive can make regulations and exemptions (sections 53 and 57).\n\nWhy it matters (claimed purpose and practical effects)\n\n- The Act aims to protect consumers and create minimum standards for representations made about motor vehicle repairs (see section 49). It does so by criminalising false or misleading statements in specified commercial contexts.\n- Mechanically, the law increases the legal and compliance risk for repair businesses and advertisers by attaching a maximum criminal penalty (200 penalty units) to dishonest or misleading promotional or transactional statements (section 49(3); note on penalty unit value in the republication cover sheet).\n\nCosts, incentives and trade‑offs (mechanisms to watch)\n\n- Compliance costs: repair businesses must take steps (policies, staff training, records, disclaimers) to avoid the substantial penalties for misleading representations. That is an ongoing operating cost, especially for small garages.\n- Enforcement and administrative burden: enforcement falls to consumer/fair‑trading authorities (the commissioner and ACL enforcement mechanisms). Investigations and prosecutions need resources; owners may face criminal exposure rather than only civil consumer remedies.\n- Regulatory discretion and concentrated benefits: section 53 lets regulations exempt classes of people from the Act; that creates a mechanism for tailoring obligations but also a risk that exemptions grant selective relief (concentrated benefit) to particular businesses or groups if used. The Executive sets those rules (section 57).\n- Cross‑reference complexity: the Act delegates definitions and some substantive standards to the ACL and to the Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977 (dictionary signposts). That reduces duplication but means affected parties must consult multiple instruments to understand obligations.\n- Substitution effects: businesses may respond by using more cautious advertising, adding written estimates, or shifting some activity outside the ACT or into services not captured by the Act or regulations. The Act’s definition of \"motor vehicle repair work\" expressly allows regulations to add or remove types of work, so firms can be affected by future regulatory changes.\n\nImplementation risks and clarity issues\n\n- The Act has been substantially amended: many licensing, disciplinary and administrative provisions that originally sat in this Act were removed (see amendment history—significant omissions under A2016‑46 and later amendments). That means licensing and occupational discipline functions now largely sit elsewhere (for example, the Traders (Licensing) Act 2016 amendments shown in the history). Practically, this short Act now centres on definitional and consumer protection offences rather than licensing mechanics (compare Dictionary and section 49 with the amendment history).\n- Because of the heavy use of omissions and cross‑references, a reader must check the ACL, the Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977 and the referenced amendment instruments to get a complete picture of duties, penalties and licensing requirements.\n\nWho pays and who decides\n\n- Who pays: motor repair businesses bear most direct costs (compliance, potential fines/penalties), and consumers may bear indirect costs if businesses pass on compliance costs in prices.\n- Who decides: the Executive makes regulations (sections 53 and 57). The commissioner for fair trading enforces the consumer‑protection offences (see note under Part 7 and cross‑reference to the ACL enforcement framework). Courts impose penalties for offences.\n\nKey provisions to read first\n\n- Section 49 (False or misleading representations) — the operative offence and its elements.\n- Dictionary entry for \"motor vehicle repair work\" — defines the scope of activities covered.\n- Section 7 — narrow exemptions about who is not taken to be \"carrying on business\" as a motor vehicle repairer (eg employees, partners publishing ads for others).\n- Sections 53 and 57 — regulation and exemption powers.\n\nSource claims vs mechanical effect\n\n- The Act’s stated policy aim is consumer protection in the motor repair market (section 49 and the Act title). Mechanically, the statute limits particular misleading conduct and leaves licensing and many administrative powers to other legislation or subordinate instruments (see amendment history). The trade‑off is criminal‑law exposure for misleading commercial statements combined with reliance on regulation (and other statutes) for licensing and oversight.\n\n(References: section numbers and the Dictionary entries cited above; amendment history shows many licensing/disciplinary provisions have been omitted and functions moved.)"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/fair-trading-motor-vehicle-repair-industry-act-2010","history":"/api/acts/fair-trading-motor-vehicle-repair-industry-act-2010/history","analysis":"/api/acts/fair-trading-motor-vehicle-repair-industry-act-2010/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/fair-trading-motor-vehicle-repair-industry-act-2010/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/fair-trading-motor-vehicle-repair-industry-act-2010/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/fair-trading-motor-vehicle-repair-industry-act-2010/documents"}}