Motor Trade Magazine - NT Edition

MOTOR TRADE

What Cars Will we be Driving in the Future?

Chair

CEO

GM

GM

Jodi

GM

Writers:

As I reflect on my first full year as Chair of the Motor Trade Association SA/NT (MTA), I am truly humbled by the trust and engagement given by our members.

This is despite a dynamic and challenging landscape, marked by escalating operating costs and heightened competition. In spite of this, 2025 new car sales slightly increased by 1.3 per cent year-onyear, building on the record-breaking results we saw in 2024. We are also seeing the automotive market

Message From The Chair

evolve quickly; while electric vehicles are not translating in the Territory, hybrids and plug-in hybrids continue to demonstrate strong and steady growth.

Set against this scene, the MTA is advocating fiercely for our members’ priorities to ensure they not only succeed but thrive. A key focus for the MTA in the NT is ensuring local regulations support a productive and safe operating environment. We have actively advocated for members to the NT government

regarding the proposed changes to the vehicle inspection scheme. We have reiterated the critical importance of a fair and effective scheme, delivering measurable improvements to what was a disappointing initial announcement.

My commitment to the NT has been reinforced by my visits to local member businesses. I was pleased to spend time in the Territory, visiting members and hearing directly from them about their challenges and priorities. These discussions provide

crucial, on-the-ground understanding that directly informs our advocacy efforts.

A fundamental and persistent challenge for many automotive businesses remains the skills shortage. The rapid shift in vehicle technology, driven by the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), means our automotive technician workforce require specialised training to service zero and low-emission vehicles competently and safely.

The MTA is addressing this head-on through multiple avenues. We have

struck a collaborative agreement with Charles Darwin University TAFE to establish the Industry Reference Group to provide industry-lead feedback to the training approaches at CDU TAFE to better prepare Northern Territory apprentices for the workforce.

I was pleased to see the announcement from the Federal Government of the third Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) in the Northern Territory to help fill critical roles that local businesses are struggling to recruit. Skilled migration is a crucial lever in addressing the

skills shortages across the Territory and our advocacy was crucial in achieving a 10% reduction to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) under the NT’s DAMA.

By working together, I am confident we will successfully navigate the evolving challenges and seize the immense opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring the MTA continues to be the leading voice and essential support for our industry in the Northern Territory.

Darrell Jacobs MTA SA/NT CEO

The Motor Trade Association SA/ NT (MTA) has been unrelenting in our vocal advocacy regarding the Northern Territory Government’s overhaul of the light vehicle inspection regime. While the government is adamant on implementing these reforms, set to take effect on 9 February 2026, our persistent engagement has secured critical concessions from the NT Government that will benefit our members and protect the industry.

Throughout this process, our priority has been to ensure that these changes do not place an undue burden on your business operations. I am pleased to share a significant clarification we have secured regarding the obligations of Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealers (LMVDs).

The MTA’s consistent position was that LMVDs should be exempt from roadworthy requirements when selling to the public. Following our intervention to address initial regulatory ambiguity, the NT Government has now indicated that LMVDs are exempt from requiring a roadworthy inspection when selling to the public. While roadworthy certificates are typically required for sales to a person or body corporate who is not an LMVD, this exemption recognises the professional standards already upheld by our members.

While we remain disappointed that the NT Treasurer, Bill Yan, disregarded our call to retain annual inspections for vehicles aged 10 years or older, our advocacy has reshaped the final implementation in two major ways.

CEO Message NT - Advocacy Wins Important Concessions for Members in NT Reform

First, to offset the loss of periodic annual inspections, the MTA successfully fought to reduce the “change of ownership” inspection age from 10 years down to 7 years. This is a vital safeguard against dodgy private sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, who might otherwise offload unroadworthy or written-off vehicles. Second, under the new regime, roadworthy inspections for light vehicles will no longer be conducted at government facilities. Instead, these must now be completed by authorised vehicle inspectors in the NT, ensuring that the expertise remains within the industry.

Under the reforms starting 9 February 2026, light vehicles (4.5 tonnes GVM or less) will only require roadworthy inspections once they reach 7 years of age when transferring ownership, re-establishing registration after a lapse of more than 12 months, or during first-time NT registration. It is important to note that roadworthy inspections remain valid for 6 weeks from the date of issue.

Furthermore, several key areas remain unchanged: there are no changes to inspection requirements for heavy vehicles, Commercial Passenger Vehicles (CPVs), modified vehicles, or boat trailers under 750 kg.

The Government is now shifting its focus toward active on-road enforcement, with NT Government Transport Inspectors and NT Police increasing on-road auditing to identify unroadworthy vehicles.

Please be aware that if a vehicle is

issued a defect notice, the clearing inspection must still be undertaken at a government vehicle inspection facility. While we support measures that ease cost-of-living pressures, I still hold grave concerns regarding the unintended consequences for road safety.

I am disappointed by the government’s decision to “hit the gas” on these reforms without what I consider adequate industry consultation. We will continue to monitor this change closely to ensure the final implementation remains transparent and supports the practical needs of automotive business in the NT.

Welcome Aboard, Naomi Blewit: Driving The Future Of NT Automotive

The Northern Territory automotive industry is stronger following the appointment of Naomi Blewit as the Motor Trade Association SA/NT Automotive Business Manager NT. The appointment marks a renewed commitment to providing robust, on-the-ground support to our valued NT members, strengthening industry relationships, and ensuring the continued success of the next generation of automotive professionals.

A genuine local, Naomi was born and bred in Darwin and attended Taminmin High School, an institution the MTA already collaborates with closely. This deep-rooted local connection gives her an intrinsic and extensive knowledge of the NT’s unique business community and its specific challenges. She joins the MTA with an impressive career spanning more than 20 years in key areas such as operations, training, and stakeholder management, all underpinned by a strong and personal connection to the automotive industry.

Naomi’s connection to the automotive industry is not just professional; it’s personal. Her husband is a Heavy Diesel Mechanic and one of her sons is currently undertaking a Heavy Diesel apprenticeship. This personal investment provides her with a genuine, relatable understanding of the challenges and rewards faced by automotive families and businesses every day.

Her professional history demonstrates a powerful focus on industry development and hands-on

operational excellence. This includes substantial time at the Australian Apprenticeship Centre, where she was responsible for managing over 500 apprentices in the Northern Territory, from remote communities and Nhulunbuy to Darwin. Following this, she took on roles at National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), where she focused on quality assurance and positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Then moved to Brooks Hire, first as a Sales Manager and later as the Branch Manager, where her responsibilities included the management and mentorship of apprentices.

Naomi is focused squarely on supporting the MTA membership and building the future workforce. A key part of her role will be to champion and strengthen the Automotive Industry Mentoring Program, ensuring apprentices receive comprehensive support from commencement to completion.

“What really excites me about this role is the members, looking after the members and any issues they have got, try to smooth out and listen,” Naomi said.

This commitment to listening and problem-solving will be invaluable to the NT automotive sector. Furthermore, she is keen to inspire the next generation, stating that she is looking forward to “going out to schools and talking to students about their career options.”

The MTA is confident that Naomi’s expertise, deep local knowledge, personal commitment to the trade, and focus on member welfare will

be invaluable in her new role. Over the coming months, Naomi will visit all MTA members in the Northern Territory as she begins to strengthen industry ties and drive forward the interests of the Northern Territory’s automotive trade.

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“We’re very bullish and positive about the NT”

Darwin Motor Group: Investing In NT Growth

Confidence about a brighter economic outlook has prompted the Darwin Motor Group to invest heavily in multiple facets of its business to retain the title of the city’s leading seller of new vehicles.

DMG already holds about 30 per cent of Darwin’s market share in new car sales of its 11 brands – Hyundai, Volkswagen, Jeep, Kia, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, MG, KGM Ssangyong, Geely, LDV and RAM.

The family-owned business employs about 100 people across its five sites, including one recently purchased.

It sells more than 3,000 new and used vehicles and performs around 20,000 services annually.

“We’re very bullish and positive about the NT,” said DMG’s Dealer Principal Leith Dobson.

“It’s been a bit flat for four or five years up here but we’re starting to see some indicators of growth, and we want to be ready to take those steps with our customers by having the right facilities so nobody gets left behind in the Territory.”

Investment

Among the chief indicators of greater prosperity are recent growth in the population, strong real estate demand and increased local investment.

It has motivated DMG to steer much of its capital toward improving the customer’s experience with its Hyundai dealership upgrade recently completed and its Suzuki and MG dealership refurbishments well underway.

By completion, nine of DMG’s 10 showrooms will have either been completely rebuilt or renovated.

Customers can look forward to modern showroom experiences featuring dedicated service bays, improved lounges and technologyenabled touch points geared towards delivering a premium experience that also allows staff to deliver the highest standard of service.

“There are millions of dollars involved in all these redevelopments,” Leith said.

DMG supports a number of related businesses in the NT including panel shops and mechanical workshops.

It donates to local charities including St Vincent de Paul, the Cancer Council, and Territory Proud initiatives.

And it sponsors local events and programs like the World Solar Challenge where competitors harness the sun’s energy as they race from Darwin to Adelaide.

Leith firmly believes the operation’s success is tied intrinsically to its community engagement.

“Our last ‘Pink’ staff Christmas party for example raised more than $3,000 for breast cancer research,” he said.

“We take pride in giving back, supporting local Territorians and showing that DMG is about more than selling cars, it’s about making a difference together.”

The business is also investing in the local workforce.

“We’re in a recruitment drive at the moment, looking for our next batch of apprentices. We believe developing

new people is the key sustained business success.”

A recent trip to Shanghai helped Leith gain a better understanding of the industry’s future requirements.

“We looked at how far ahead the Chinese market is in terms of technology and bringing that insight back here with autonomous vehicles, EVs and making sure that the guys are trained in that space rather than sitting at TAFE with a 10-year old petrol car.

“That’s why I’m on a steering committee with CDU (Charles Darwin University) and TAFE to make sure we get the feedback from business through to the training institutions, so we align that with what the manufacturers offer and sort of point them in the right direction.”

Cost Headaches

But Darwin’s remoteness means that very little comes cheaply.

Training apprentices certainly does not.

“We have to put them on a plane the night before, pay for a couple of nights accommodation and then fly them back.

“From an expense point of view, it probably doubles our training costs compared to major metros but we’re not afraid of that because we have to get it right.”

But Leith said it doesn’t necessarily make buying a new or used car in Darwin that much more expensive.

“One of the things we do up here well is making sure we keep a close eye on inventory levels, marketing and all

the expenses that add up so we don’t have to transfer as much of a cost onto the customer in the end.

“If you’re in inner city Brisbane, your rent would be more than it is up here so we have to watch all the costs across every area of the business to make sure we get value for money in everything we’re doing.”

There are significant time demands on running a business such as DMG, most of it spent managing people, advertising and stock.

“People are always a challenge in Darwin because we’ve got such a transient population.

“They will come and do three or four years in Darwin and then move on.

“Getting people up and skilled quickly is part of what we need to be able to do and train them well.”

Choosing the best advertising option is also something of a science in its own right, albeit an imprecise one.

“There are so many different platforms up here. Trying to tailor your message so that it gets to everybody is interesting.

“We measure it pretty carefully.

“I think the best things for us are our own digital assets because that reaches the end user when they are really in the market looking at specific cars.

“Referral and repeat business is very strong up here – if you do the wrong thing in this town, everybody knows about it.

“If you’re advertising for branding, I think TV has still got its audience.

“But if you’re offering a deal with a specific offer, radio is strong and we also have a very strong social media presence. There are four or five different platforms you’ve got to manage.”

Stock Challenges

Stock, Leith said, is another issue and depending on the brand, customers may need to order a vehicle when they seek a specific colour.

“Because of our remote location, it can sometimes take six weeks to get a car so we have to carry a lot more stock than normally you would.”

Think 600 vehicles ready for immediate delivery and more than $1.5m worth of spare parts to meet customer demand.

“A normal metro dealer would carry 45 days worth of stock, we carry more like 60 days worth of stock to allow for trucks, boats, trains and all the other things that supply us with vehicles.”

SUVs, 4x4s and utes are the Top End’s top sellers, giving consumers the durability and versatility to get around town as well as head off road.

But that luxury no longer means a greater expense at the pump.

“I’m driving the latest Kia Tasman at the moment which is a 2L turbo diesel. I’ve had it for three weeks and still haven’t used a full tank of fuel.”

The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), introduced on January 1, 2025, sets new fuel efficiency requirements for all new vehicles in Australia.

“With the NVES, there’s a fair change coming to the industry whereby if you have a range of gas guzzlers, they’re just going to get more expensive so you need to have a balanced portfolio of cars with EVs, hybrids or fuelefficient vehicles.

“It’s a manufacturing issue as much as a dealer-consciousness issue too.

“Interest in EVs is growing thanks to environmental awareness and incentives.

“To support this growth, we have installed more than 10 EV chargers across our sites, ensuring customers have the infrastructure they need.”

Back Story

Leith is part of Darwin’s transient population.

After at first rejecting a move from Brisbane, he and his wife decided to accept DMG’s offer to head up the business.

“We’re at the stage where our kids

have grown up, and we thought ‘let’s have an adventure’ and we’re now four years in.”

Working in the car industry was long in play for Leith despite growing up on a cattle farm in Tasmania.

“I’ve always been tinkering with cars,” he said.

“I’ve got five brothers and we used to put our pocket money together and buy a $200 bomb.

“We’d race it around the paddocks until we blew it up and then we’d try to fix it.”

But Leith’s road to automotive baron took an unexpected detour when he applied, was accepted and ultimately graduated as a Therapy Radiographer in 1992.

“I didn’t even really know what a radiographer was.”

After four years of study, he arrived at one stunning conclusion.

“I just didn’t like hospitals!”

Less than two years later, he was selling cars on the Sunshine Coast.

“Because of our remote location, it can sometimes take six weeks to get a car so we have to carry a lot more stock than normally you would.”

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Auto Evolution: CDU And MTA Steer Emerging Training Needs

MTA CEO Darrell Jacobs has welcomed the signing of a significant new agreement with Charles Darin University (CDU) TAFE, which he said would benefit local automotive apprentices and employers.

The industry-leading initiative will see the establishment of an Automotive Training Industry Reference Group in response to a rapidly evolving sector facing critical skill shortages.

The working group includes representatives from the MTA, CDU and automotive industry employers.

The NT News greeted the announcement with the headline: “CDU and MTA join forces to boost automotive apprenticeships and future-proof industry”.

In a quickly changing market, the working group will closely monitor and analyse industry trends.

In addition – and of critical importance – it will recommend training products and strategies

to meet industry and apprentice demand.

This includes trends such as the uptake of zero and low emission vehicles, moves towards high-tech automotive electrical Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and manufacturer plans for semi and fully autonomous vehicles.

Mr Jacobs said that the pace of change in the automotive industry was accelerating.

“One out of every five new cars sold in the Northern Territory is a hybrid or electric vehicle and it is on us all to keep up.”

“Our experience shows that industry integration into vocational education and training is essential,” the MTA CEO said.

“Devoting ourselves to improving training for apprentices and skilled technicians won’t just benefit local businesses, but every Territorian who relies on their car, ute or truck.”

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of CDU TAFE, Michael Hamilton,

agreed.

“The collaboration between the University, industry, and their peak body presents a valuable opportunity for all stakeholders,” he said.

“The Automotive Training Industry Reference Group serves as an ideal platform for developing innovation and shaping the future of the sector.

“Ensuring that Automotive Training Packages align with the practical demands of mechanical workshops and small businesses is vital for the industry’s long-term success and sustainability.”

“Clear visibility of regulatory requirements is essential, bridging the gap between industry standards and training practices to create a workforce that is both skilled and adaptable” Mr Hamilton concluded.

Honouring Rodger Sewell’s Decade Of Service

After more than a decade of serving as the backbone of the Northern Territory’s automotive advocacy, Rodger Sewell, our dedicated Automotive Business Specialist, is moving on to focus on personal commitments. His final day with the MTA was Friday, 26th September 2025, marking the end of an era for our organisation and the many members who have come to rely on his support.

A Decade of Dedication

Rodger joined the MTA on 14th September 2014, and from day one, he brought a level of “can-do” energy that became his trademark. Over the last 11 years, the automotive landscape in the Territory has faced significant shifts, from evolving emissions standards to the complexities of the post-pandemic supply chain. Through it all, Rodger remained a constant, stabilising force for MTA members.

His credibility within the industry wasn’t just built on his technical knowledge, but on his unwavering commitment to seeing every job through to the end. Whether he was navigating bureaucratic red tape or visiting a workshop in the heart of the NT, Rodger’s mission was always clear: ensure the voices of NT automotive businesses were not just heard but supported.

For Rodger, the role of Automotive

Business Specialist was never just a desk job. He worked tirelessly to raise member concerns at the highest levels, ensuring that the unique priorities of the Northern Territory were advanced within the broader MTA framework. He understood the specific challenges of operating in the Top End and Central Australia, and he fought to ensure those nuances were never overlooked.

A New Chapter

While his professional contributions are immense, Rodger’s decision to move on comes from a place of profound personal commitment.

The MTA NT would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rodger for his years of service, his integrity, and his friendship. His absence will be felt across the Territory, but his legacy of advocacy remains the standard for our team

We wish Rodger the very best for this next chapter of his life. Thank you, Rodger, for everything.

Independents Urged To Leverage Information Sharing

Many independent mechanics and collision repairers remain unaware of their ability to save time and money by accessing detailed brand-specific service repair information that was once the exclusive domain of dealership workshops.

That’s the concern of Kaes Cillessen, General Manager Media, Marketing and Policy at the MTA SA/NT, who said the issue lingers despite extensive efforts to address it. He noted that it remains “relatively unknown to a large part of the industry,” with independent workshops “still unaware of how to access the information and what sort of information they can get.”

Kaes Cillessen stressed that it’s an ongoing effort to educate them as to how it all works, as many don’t realise there are tools available to help them do their work more efficiently.

Information Sharing

The Motor Vehicle Service And Repair Information Sharing Scheme became law on 1 July 2022, requiring car manufacturers and data providers to share repair information with independent repairers at a ‘fair market price’.

AASRA (Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority) is the independent body that administers the law, referring cases where manufacturers fail to comply to the ACCC for investigation and potential prosecution.

Kaes Cillessen explained that the law gives independent workshops the ability to access service repair, wiring information, technical service bulletins and diagnostic software. “They’ve

really got almost the same level of information that you’d get from a dealership,” he said, with the only omission being the engineering teams in the background for troubleshooting.

Time Savings

According to AASRA, independent mechanics who download the general information and software are saving up to 30 minutes per job, equating to potentially 120 hours annually –valuable time which could be used elsewhere.

Kaes noted the information is not free but is affordable, providing flexible access and price points, such as hourly, daily or a 12-month subscription.

Fears Allayed

Dealerships’ other great fear was that they would lose business, but Kaes said that has not eventuated.

“The fact is that the industry is incredibly understaffed so dealerships can only do so much with the staff they’ve got.” Once the initial pushback was heard and the law was put in place, the dealer side accepted the outcome and got on with the task, as they haven’t lost market share. “I think the right balance has been struck,” Kaes said.

However, “the independent side is still largely unaware of what they can access and how to do it.”

The law, he said, was designed to give consumers freedom of choice, allowing them to decide how and by whom they want their vehicles serviced and fixed quickly.

“Dealership staff still have knowledge and access to training which gives

them the edge because they have that direct relationship with the manufacturer – they get their information directly from them,” Kaes noted. “But that doesn’t mean the independent world are any less qualified.”

Review

The scheme is due for review every five years to ensure it is operating as intended. A consultation period with various stakeholders, including the MTA, is underway.

One aspect under consideration is expanding the scheme to include farm machinery. “We have heard similar concerns from the farm machinery sector as there were from the vehicle side,” Kaes said, noting that farm machinery is incredibly complex and there are fears a lack of information could lead to some bad outcomes.

Importantly however, certain categories of data remain restricted unless a user can prove they are qualified to access the data. “There is no reason why that couldn’t be implemented in the farm machinery space if you have a well-qualified Agtech or heavy diesel mechanic,” said Kaes.

Similar restrictions are already in place for mechanics attempting to access EV repair information. “It’s locked behind a wall until you have completed an EV safety course, and you can do that with the MTA – we’ve got two different courses for them to do that, and it will give them access immediately to that information.”

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Message From The WHS Regulator

As the Work Health and Safety Regulator, it’s my job to provide strategic direction on how health and safety is regulated in the Northern Territory. This includes finding the right balance between providing education and advice to build up capacity in local industries, and hard compliance for those breaking the law and putting workers health and safety at risk.

Since I’ve arrived in the Territory from Queensland, I’ve grown to appreciate the challenges, the spareness and remoteness of the Territory can bring, including how critical workers are considering our small population base.

Under these conditions, an organisations workforce should be considered its key asset and protected by implementing good health and safety practices.

To give you an understanding of your industries injury profile, a review of the last five years of workers’ compensation data shows that in that period 263 injury claims have been made, resulting in 1310 weeks in lost

time and $8,141,754 in total claims cost. Over 37% of the claims were considered serious as the worker required at least one week off work.

Workers in automotive repair and services accounted for over 40% of all injury claims made, followed by car retailing at 23% and automotive fuel retailing at 18%.[KC1.1]

Body stressing was the main mechanism of serious injury at 37%, followed by being hit by moving objects (at 26%) and hitting objects with a part of the body (at 13%).

Mental stress was the fourth highest mechanism of serious injury at 11%, this coincides with this increase in all industry sectors over the past few years. This likely follows the increased awareness of psychosocial hazards in workplaces.

New regulations on psychosocial hazards commenced on 1 July 2023, clarifying existing duties to better assist employers to identify and control such hazards and the risks, Further information including The Managing psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice is available to

assist you on NT WorkSafe’s website.

While no fatalities occurred in your industry within the last five years, a fatality did occur in 2019 involving a vehicle hoist. NT WorkSafe’s investigation found unsafe modifications had been made to the hoist, in addition to several other safety issues which indicated poor maintenance.

The safety alert vehicle hoist fatality was published in relation to the incident and is still available on our website.

Vehicle hoists and other items of plant must be regularly inspected. In addition to the daily prestart checks, maintenance inspections should occur every three months, annual inspections yearly and a major inspection at 10 years of services.

Ensure you and your staff have access to the manufacturers safe operation manual and follow the recommended installation and maintenance instructions.

Also make sure you safely manage your hazardous chemicals and never

conduct any hot cutting of drums and containers that have contained flammable or combustible liquids. This is extremely hazardous when they are not cleaned out. Incidents have caused fatalities and can destroy a small workshop.

Many of the Territory’s businesses are small and family owned so check out NT WorkSafe’s Guide to safety management – small business toolkit which can be used to help ensure your business is compliant with WHS laws and workers get to go home healthy and safe. NT WorkSafe’s WHS Assurance team can be contacted for assistance. Check out small business safety assistance.

For further information on incident notifications, general enquiries and to raise a safety concern, contact NT WorkSafe on 1800 019 115 or ntworksafe@nt.gov.au.

About the author

Prior to joining NT WorkSafe, Grant Hastie worked for 17 years at Workplace Health and Safety Queensland in a variety of roles including Chief Safety Advisor and Director of the Hazardous Chemicals Unit, A/Executive Director of the Specialised Health and Safety Services, and A/Director of the Occupational Health and Hygiene Unit.

Grant has a solid technical background, having previously worked as a dangerous goods advisor and on-call HAZMAT Scientific Advisor with the Queensland Fire Department, as well as an occupational and environmental scientist with Queensland’s Department of Mines and Energy.

Mr Hastie’s qualifications include a Master of Applied Science from the Queensland University of Technology and the Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and Griffith University.

“Since I’ve arrived in the Territory from Queensland, I’ve grown to appreciate the challenges, the spareness and remoteness of the Territory can bring, including how critical workers are considering our small population base.”

Right To Disconnect

New laws have laid down the groundwork for employer to employee communications outside of ordinary working hours.

Commonly referred to as the “right to disconnect”, large and small employers need to adhere to new workplace laws which give employees the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact, or attempted contact, from their employer or a third party (such as a customer) outside of the employee’s working hoursunless the refusal is unreasonable.

It is important to note that these laws do not prohibit employers from contacting or attempting to contact their employees after hours. These laws also allow employees to refuse contact from third parties (i.e. customers) if the contact relates to their work, unless the refusal is unreasonable.

Certain matters will need to be considered when determining whether an employee’s refusal to be contacted out-of-hours is unreasonable, such as:

„ How contact is made with the employee and the level of disruption it causes

„ The nature of the employee’s role and their level of responsibility

„ Whether the employee is compensated for remaining available to work

With these new laws in place, businesses should continue to:

„ Clearly communicate expectations with staff about when it’s reasonable to be contacted outside of standard hours.

„ Encourage staff to set boundaries and respect their colleagues’ personal time.

„ Consider alternative arrangements for urgent matters, such as rostering or compensation for after-hours work.

By way of example, it would be reasonable to contact an employee after hours and expect them to respond in circumstances where you are contacting them on sudden changes to their roster the next day. However, it would be unreasonable to expect an employee to monitor calls from customers after hours in circumstances where they are not being paid for this work.

Any disputes between employers and employees as to whether a refusal to be contacted was unreasonable

must first be attempted to be resolved at the workplace level (by discussions between the employer and employee). Only after discussions between the parties have failed can a dispute be lodged with the Fair Work Commission.

After a year of operation, there has not been a test case indicating that the legislation is reinforcing existing reasonable practices within Australia’s employment landscape.

The Fair Work Commission will be producing guidelines in the near future after it has dealt with a few disputes, and we will keep members updated of any further reforms in this area as it evolves.

The MTA Workplace Relations team is always on hand to assist MTA members with any queries about the “right to disconnect.” Scan the QR code to email them.

The MTA’s business partners provide exclusive discounts and benefits to our members. Join as an MTA member today to access these discounts as well as a range of free services, resources and advice. Contact us on (08) 8291 2000 or email: mta@mtasant.com.au to enquire.

EFTPOS FACILITIES

MTA SA members are eligible for preferential rates on merchant fees, along with access to other business products and services. To find out how CommBank can help your business move forward, contact MTA SA/NT.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE

Access Programs provides employee assistance and counselling services in person or over the phone. Contact Access Programs to unlock discounted sessional rates for you and your employees.

OFFICE SUPPLIES

As an MTA member, you can now unlock exclusive benefits and pricing when you sign up for an Officeworks 30-Day Business Account.

PARTS BUYING

Capricorn Society Limited is the largest independent automotive parts buying cooperative in Australia, providing the majority of parts and services to mechanical workshops, service stations and crash repairers throughout the country. Call toll free to find out how you can save your business both time and money.

PRINTING

MTA has partnered with Lane Communications for a more streamlined print service. MTA Print is your one-stop shop when it comes to taking care of all your industryspecific printing needs. MTA members receive a 20% discount on all products (excluding offers).

SUPERANNUATION

Spirit Super has been the national super fund for the motor trades for over 30 years. With over 321,000 members and $26 billion in funds under management, we’re still driving your super. Issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 238 718, ABN 14 008 650 628). Consider the PDS and TMD available at spiritsuper.com. au/pds before making a decision

ENERGY PRICE COMPARATOR

Zembl is an energy price comparator and MTA members can leave all the homework, legwork and paperwork to them. Simply contact Zembl for a comparisons and enjoy better energy pricing.

MYENERGI

MTA members receive exclusive discounts on myenergi chargers such as the popular zappi range.

BUNNINGS

Access exclusive perks by joining or linking your existing Bunnings Trade PowerPass account, bringing more value and convenience to your business essentials.

MTA OUR AUTO

Access tailored insurance solutions through MTA OurAuto Insurance, delivered by Marsh. Cover includes liability, property, management, and cyber risk—designed specifically for automotive businesses with 20+ years of industry experience.

SP TOOLS

Through this partnership, MTA members, staff and MTA-employed apprentices will soon have access to discounted pricing across the SP Tools range. An MTA SP Tools Card will be made available shortly, providing a simple way to access these benefits and support the use of quality tools across the automotive industry.

Commonwealth Bank 13 22 21

Access Programs Employee Assistance Program 8215 6799 accesssa.com.au

Officeworks officeworks.com.au/campaings /mtasa

Capricorn 1800 EASIER (1800 327 437) capricorn.coop/

Lane Communications 8179 9900 or orders.mta@laneprint.com.au

Care Super 1800 005 166 caresuper.com.au

Zembl 1300 915 612 zembl.com.au/partner/motortrade-association

Myenergi 1300 743 443 myenergi.com/au/mtamembers

Bunnings Trade trade.bunnings.com.au 134 872

MTA OurAuto ourauto.com.au 1300 441 474

SP Tools sptools.com

Compare your merchant service today.

With Commonwealth Bank, MTA SA/NT members can receive special discounts on EFTPOS solution.

We can also offer a customised comparison^ of your current merchant service to Commonwealth Bank’s merchant solutions, to help you discover which product is right for you. We have flexible terminal and pricing options to suit your needs today and that can change with you in the future.

To find out how much you could save with Commonwealth Bank, contact MTA SA/NT on 08 8291 2000 or email mta@mtasant.com.au and they’ll put you in touch with a Commonwealth Bank Relationship Manager.