Accessories and minor repairs guidelines
Learn about what kinds of work are not repair work and what the exceptions are in NSW.
Repairer’s licence
Section 12 of the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 (the Act) states that you must not run a business or advertise as a motor vehicle repairer unless you hold a repairer’s licence. A motor vehicle repairer means a person who owns and/or runs a business that carries out repair work on motor vehicles.
The Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025 states that certain work is not repair work. If your business only does work that is not repair work, you are not required to hold a repairer’s licence. For example, if your business only installs or replaces batteries in a way that does not affect the mechanical operation or structure of the vehicle, or the vehicle’s safety features, you are not required to hold a repairer’s licence.
Tradesperson’s certificate
Section 16 of the Act prohibits a person from carrying out motor vehicle repair work unless that person holds a tradesperson’s certificate. In order to obtain a tradesperson’s certificate, a person must have achieved the Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification for the relevant class of repair work.
Similarly, a tradesperson’s certificate is not required if the only work performed by a person is work that is not repair work. For example, you do not need a tradesperson's certificate if you’re repairing or restoring headlights as this will not affect how the vehicle works or its safety features.
Accessory fitting
Replacing or installing an accessory that does not change the vehicle’s performance, handling or safety isn’t considered repair work if it’s for these reasons:
- cosmetic customisation of the vehicle
- providing enhanced entertainment options
- informing the driver of the vehicle’s functions or performance
- assisting the driver in navigation or communication
- equipping the vehicle for occupational tasks.
The replacement or installation of the following accessories are examples of work that are not considered repair work:
- bonnet protectors
- light globes
- headlight protectors
- jerry can carriers
- luggage and roof racks
- protective awnings, car top tents, enclosures, canopies
- side steps, rails and boards
- skirts
- sound systems and radios
- spare wheel racks/carriers
- spoilers
- tow bars (bolted)
- ute linings
- vehicle detailing
- water carriers – rack or body-mounted
- weather shields
- wheels
- wiper blades.
Minor works and repairs
Minor works or repairs that do not affect the mechanical operations of the vehicle, the structure of the vehicle or vehicle safety features (such as impact sensors and airbags) are not considered repair work.
In some cases, doing minor work can lead to further work that is not minor. These repairs fall under the definition of repair work under the Regulation. In these circumstances, a person with the relevant tradesperson’s certificate must complete these works. For example, the fitting of an additional spare wheel rack to the back of the vehicle may change the height of the vehicle and require a suspension upgrade. The suspension upgrade work will need to be done by a person holding the relevant tradesperson’s certificate.
Examples of the types of work that would be covered by this exemption are as follows:
Battery installation or replacement
This applies only to the simple removal and/or replacement of vehicle batteries. Careful attention is required if the replacement of the battery could have any impact on an on-board computer system.
Hybrid vehicles have high-voltage systems that can deliver a potentially lethal shock. Only qualified people should work on batteries in those vehicles. This is not considered minor repair work.
Wheel removal or replacement
This involves replacing the wheel. It does not include tyre replacement or wheel alignment. It will not cover wheel replacement that may require disassembling braking or suspension systems.
Headlight repair and restoration
This includes resurfacing, removing scratches and fading. It also involves applying a UV coating to protect against further deterioration.
Paintless dent removal or repair
High tensile levers or other equipment are used to ‘push’ the dent from the inside. This massages the stretched metal back into its original shape while keeping the paintwork intact. This work must not involve drilling into reinforcing bibs or braces, nor the disassembly or reassembly of any part of the vehicle.
Removing parts of a vehicle to prepare for repairs or to assess for damage
Removing parts from a vehicle to enable the repair to be scoped and repaired. Caution would need to be exercised if this work could involve impact sensors. A qualified tradesperson may need to assess this work.
Cosmetic alloy wheel repair
This would only cover:
- cleaning
- sanding
- painting
- curing.
Bumper repair
This includes removing grease, wax and grime from the bumper, then preparing and repainting it. It might also involve heating the bumper to reshape and file it. You can use the heat/weld method to attach a plastic strap or rod to cracked areas. Careful attention is required if this work involves impact sensors. A qualified tradesperson may need to assess this work.
Paint preparation and colour matching
This includes basic preparation work on body panels and fittings, and masking and unmasking. It also includes the matching and mixing of paint colours. It does not include spray painting.