Antonella Abbate • 14 April 2026

Crackdown on Sight-Unseen Inspections

Illegal issuing of sight-unseen pink and blue slips has serious consequences for authorised examiners and third parties. 

A joint investigation by NSW Police and Transport, which began in 2022, uncovered widespread fraud involving inspection reports issued without vehicles ever being inspected.
 
The investigation followed the advertising of unseen inspections on social media, and escalated in February 2025 after NSW Police detected a vehicle that had a major defect notice cleared the following day.
 
The investigation identified a third-party individual who facilitated the issuing of fraudulent inspection reports through multiple AIS stations, despite not being a mechanic or part of the AIS. Financial records revealed he was paid $85,815 to facilitate 196 inspection reports across multiple locations in NSW.
 
The individual was arrested in September 2025 and charged with multiple counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception. He was sentenced to an Intensive Correction Order (20 months) and Community Service Work (200 hours).

To date, NSW Police and Transport have identified 10 authorised examiners from separate AIS stations who allegedly participated in the scheme.
 
One station was found to have issued sight-unseen reports for more than 18 months, despite the physical station no longer existing. These examiners are expected to face charges, and if convicted, their examiner authorities will be cancelled.
 
Transport inspected vehicles that received fraudulent pink and blue slips. All were non-compliant and were defected. Vehicle owners reported paying up to $900 for sight-unseen inspections.
 
This investigation sends a clear message that enforcement action against sight-unseen inspections is ongoing, and the consequences for authorised examiners and third parties involved are serious, including criminal charges and loss of authority.
 
Compliance with inspection requirements is essential to protect road safety and the integrity of the AIS.

Toyota to Offer Factory GVM Upgrade on Selected Models

by Antonella Abbate • 28 May 2026
Toyota Australia is set to introduce a factory-backed Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrade package for selected four-wheel-drive models from August, providing owners with a higher legal payload capacity while retaining full factory warranty support and compliance.

Australia’s EV Love Affair Accelerates – and China is Leading the Charge

by Antonella Abbate • 25 May 2026
Across the Tasman this week, Chinese automotive giant BYD confirmed that almost 5,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are currently bound for Australia aboard its own dedicated vehicle carrier, the BYD Zhengzhou. The shipment, carrying 4,810 vehicles, marks the first Australian voyage of one of BYD’s purpose-built roll-on/roll-off vessels and is expected to dock in Melbourne before continuing to Sydney and Brisbane. What makes this story significant is not simply the size of the shipment, but what it says about the Australian market. BYD has already announced plans to bring an additional 30,000 new-energy vehicles to Australia in the coming months as demand for electric vehicles and hybrids continues to surge. For decades, Australian motorists were among the most loyal supporters of Japanese manufacturers, with brands from Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Honda dominating local driveways. Few industry observers would have predicted that Chinese brands would achieve such rapid acceptance. Yet Australian consumers have embraced brands such as BYD, MG, GWM, Chery, Geely, Zeekr and others with remarkable speed, treating many of them as though they have been established players for generations. Australia’s transition mirrors trends seen throughout Europe and North America, where consumers are increasingly seeking lower running costs, improved technology, longer warranties and electrified drivetrains. The difference in Australia is that much of this growth is being driven by Chinese manufacturers rather than traditional Western brands. Affordability, strong specifications, competitive warranty programs and rapid product development have reshaped buyer perceptions almost overnight. BYD’s decision to deploy its own shipping fleet to Australia is perhaps the clearest signal yet that global manufacturers now view Australia as a strategic growth market. When a manufacturer is prepared to invest in dedicated logistics to deliver thousands of vehicles directly to Australian customers, it demonstrates confidence not only in its products but also in the appetite of Australian motorists for electrified transport. The message is simple: Australia's EV and hybrid revolution is no longer coming—it has arrived, and Chinese manufacturers are playing a leading role in shaping the next chapter of the nation's automotive landscape.

Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) announces new appointments

by Antonella Abbate • 25 May 2026
Mr Lamb brings decades of diverse leadership experience across various sectors, both domestically and internationally. Most recently, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Murray-Darling Association. Previously, Mr Lamb has held several executive roles with distinct peak body organisations, where he worked closely with government and industry. During his tenure, assisted many organisations to transition into new strategies and methodologies. With his notable experience, he is well positioned to lead the ARC at a time when the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry is growing at a rapid pace. Mr Lamb succeeds Glenn Evans, who concluded his tenure in December 2025 after 17 years of service. ARC Chair Dr Greg Picker said he was pleased to welcome Mr Lamb to mark the next phase for the Council, which leads national governance of the RAC (also known as ARCtick) Permit Scheme. “The Board is pleased to appoint Mark Lamb as our new CEO. We look forward to working with him as we continue to deliver the ARCtick permit scheme and improve our service to industry. His passion and experience in leading peak body organisations perfectly aligns with the ARC’s priorities at this time and our vision for the future,” Dr Picker said. “It is a crucial time for the industry, and the Board is confident Mark will help us build on our momentum and continue deliver meaning outcomes for the ARC and the broader industry.”  Commenting on his appointment, Mr Lamb said, “I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to play this significant role, not just at the Australian Refrigeration Council, but in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.