Applications for a motor vehicle repairer certificate
You must have a motor vehicle repair certificate if you carry on the business of motor vehicle repair work as prescribed under the Motor Vehicle Repairers Regulations in Western Australia.
A motor vehicle repairer's certificate is a "licence" for individuals who:
- own a repair business and do repair work or supervise the repair work of others; or
- supervise the repair work of others; or
- works under a supervisor who does not have a certificate for the same class of repair work that you do; or
- do repair work unsupervised.
In addition, as a certified repairer you can only supervise repair work for the particular class of repairs for which you are qualified. You may apply for certification for more than one class of repair work if you hold the appropriate qualifications and these will be endorsed on your certificate.
The Commissioner for Consumer Protection approves the applications for the licences and believes all individual repairers should consider becoming certified to enhance their career prospects.
Mutual Recognition
Show moreIf you are registered or licensed as a motor vehicle repairer elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand, and want to be registered in Western Australia, you may be able to apply for Mutual Recognition to get a WA licence or Automatic Mutual Recognition to have your licence recognised in WA.
Check the Register
Show moreThe online licence search can help you find a licensed motor vehicle repairer.
How to use the online licence search
Search by number: You can check if a licence number is still valid. Type the number into the field on the opening screen.
Search by type of licence: You can look for licensed people in your neighbourhood. Click on ‘Type’. Start typing in the licence type in the box eg. debt collector. Then type in either a name or location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Show moreDo I need a motor vehicle repairers certificate?
Generally, if you supervise the repair work of others, or carry out repair work unsupervised, you will require a repairers certificate.
What type of repair work needs a certified repairer?
Certified repairers are required to supervise most types (classes) of automotive repair work. A certificate can be issued with up to 23 different classes of repair work. This includes general mechanical repair for heavy vehicles (trucks and buses) and light vehicles (cars), motorbikes, and a range of ancillary and specialist trades such as locksmiths, auto electricians and tyre fitters.
What type of repair work can I supervise?
As a certified repairer you can only supervise the type of repair work you are certified for. You can apply for more than one class of repair work if you hold the appropriate qualifications and these may be added to your certificate. Certain classes automatically qualify you for other classes of repair work. For example, if you are issued body building work on your certificate you will also be authorised to carry out electrical accessory fitting work and mechanical accessory fitting work.
How do I qualify to be granted a repairer’s certificate?
To be granted a motor vehicle repairers certificate you will be required to either have sufficient formal qualifications or successfully undertake a third party skills assessment in each class of repair work. For an explanation of how applicants can demonstrate that they are sufficiently qualified please refer to the Qualifying for a motor vehicle repairer's certificate page.
Why can a person buy and fit parts to their own motor vehicle without a qualification/certification?
Because the Act is concerned primarily with consumer protection, it only controls where a customer pays a repairer for their service. It does not prevent a business or an individual from repairing their own vehicles. There are also very few laws which limit or prevent someone from purchasing parts.
