O'Brien welcomes the Right to Repair Government consultation but warns against entrenchment of current problems

O’Brien® today announces that it has lodged its submission to the Government’s discussion paper on improving and expanding Australia’s first Right to Repair law. As Australia’s leading vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration provider, O'Brien has direct technical expertise in ADAS calibration and a responsibility to ensure Australians retain access to safe, high-quality repairs. O’Brien welcomes the consultation and supports reform, while warning that any changes must avoid entrenching existing problems in the repair system.

For decades, Australians have trusted the aftermarket repair sector to deliver timely, essential vehicle repairs — a trust earned through consistent, quality service. In recent years, however, that right has come under increasing pressure as some vehicle manufacturers have restricted access to the data needed to complete repairs. This trend is already emerging overseas and, if allowed to take hold in Australia, risks reducing consumer choice and increasing repair costs at a time when Australians are already under financial pressure.

The Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme was introduced by the Australian Government to address this issue, but as vehicles become more advanced, it is proving increasingly unfit for purpose. Modern vehicles now run on an estimated 100–150 million lines of software code — far more than a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Technicians often need access to this data to complete repairs, particularly for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which help drivers avoid accidents and operate vehicles more safely. However, some manufacturers use software complexity and “cybersecurity” as a pretext to restrict access, strengthen their authorised repair networks and limit competition in the aftermarket.

In its submission, O’Brien calls on the Government to expressly prohibit this practice, rather than merely constrain it.

“Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, told the Aftermarket Repair Conference that ‘when data flows, productivity follows’. We agree, but warn that the current policy settings do not yet deliver on that principle,” said O’Brien’s Managing Director Miles Wilson.

“Australia’s right to repair laws must be strengthened to prevent the use of secure gateways that impose discriminatory conditions on access to ADAS recalibration,” Mr Wilson said.

“Australians have long relied on their local repairer to fix vehicle damage, including windscreen replacement. Without reform, that reliance is at risk, leading to higher costs, delays and greater inconvenience for consumers. Consumers deserve a repair system that protects choice, not one that quietly erodes.”

O’Brien has provided the Government with practical policy recommendations to expand and strengthen the right to repair. O’Brien thanks the Government for its engagement on this issue and looks forward to continuing the consultation process.

 

About O’Brien:

O'Brien® is Australia’s leading vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration services provider. We have a
national footprint of more than 70 corporate service centres and a network of over 80 Authorised Dealers,
supported by more than 1,400 team members, including over 500 technicians. Founded in 1924 as a glazing
business, O'Brien® expanded into vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration from the 1970s, when it
became part of the Belron Group. This history gives O'Brien® direct, practical experience at the intersection of
vehicle safety, automotive innovation, consumer service delivery and the operation of the independent repair
aftermarket.