The Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct’s (MVIRI) review process has been extended, with the consultation deadline pushed back to June 23.
The decision follows feedback from industry participants and is intended to allow more time for stakeholders to engage with the proposed revisions.
The Code Administration Committee (CAC) – a joint body formed by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) – initiated the public consultation earlier this year.
The updated draft, which addresses several operational and governance issues, is available on the consultation website, www.mviricode.com.au. Feedback can be submitted through the site or via email, with options for confidential responses directly to the MTAA or ICA.
The review is part of an initiative to modernise the code, which sets voluntary standards for relationships between insurers and repairers.
An independent review led by Dr. Michael Schaper in 2023 identified areas for improvement, including financial and administrative oversight. In response, the CAC developed proposed updates with input from industry bodies.
The draft revisions cover a range of areas, including disciplinary procedures, estimating and assessment processes, preferred repair methods, and mechanisms for dispute resolution. The consultation also seeks feedback on a proposal to incorporate the CAC as a legal entity to improve transparency and accountability.
George Manos (pictured), who chairs the CAC, said the committee welcomes diverse perspectives across the insurance and automotive repair sectors.
“To support stakeholders [in navigating] the proposed new code, the CAC has developed an explanatory memorandum. Whether through the website or targeted industry engagement, the CAC has worked on making the consultation accessible for all stakeholders,” he said.
First established in 2006, the code last underwent substantial revision in 2017.
The code reform comes as the ICA focuses on curbing motor insurance costs. In its policy report, the ICA noted that average comprehensive premiums have climbed 42% since 2019. The rise is linked to inflationary pressures affecting claims, parts, and repair labour.
In response to these cost pressures, the ICA is calling for reforms across several areas. Policy recommendations include enhancing skilled migration programs to address labour shortages, expanding repair data access under the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme, and standardising towing and storage fee regulations nationwide.
The ICA is also seeking greater oversight of credit hire operators via a compulsory code and alignment of New South Wales’s write-off rules with other jurisdictions to allow safe vehicle re-registration.
