Retraining the Workforce — How ADR42 Updates Affect Body Shop Standards

Retraining the Workforce — How ADR42 Updates Affect Body Shop Standards

Keeping up with car technology is no longer optional for Australia’s panel shops – it’s mandatory. Recent updates to the Australian Design Rules, particularly ADR 42 (General Safety Requirements), are raising the bar on vehicle safety features and, by extension, the repair standards that body shops must uphold. The message is clear: as cars get smarter and safer, the collision repair workforce must be retrained and retooled to service them. From ADAS calibration procedures to new materials and methods, today’s technicians face a steep learning curve. The good news? With the right training, digital repair tools, and industry support, they can meet – and exceed – these evolving standards.

New Safety Tech, New ADR Rules

Australia’s ADRs set the baseline for what safety technologies vehicles must have. In recent years, the federal government has introduced rules mandating advanced driver-assistance systems on new cars. For example, ADR 98/00 now requires all new passenger models introduced from 2023 to be fitted with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), expanding to every new vehicle on sale by March 2025. This means nearly every car coming into a panel shop in the near future will have critical vehicle safety technology like AEB sensors in the grille or windshield. “AEB has consistently been shown to improve safety outcomes… mandating AEB will push manufacturers that have been slow to introduce this technology to catch up,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg when welcoming the new ADR rule. Other features such as lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are also becoming standard in line with global trends. ADR 42, being the general safety rule, is being updated to reference these new requirements and ensure that vehicles (even after modification or repair) continue to meet them. In effect, if a car’s safety system is part of its type approval, a body shop has a duty to restore it to working order after an accident. This has shifted the landscape of body shop standards – repairs are no longer just about aesthetics and structural integrity, but also about electronic safety performance.

The Skills Gap Challenge

For many panel beaters and refinishers, working on a modern car can feel like stepping into an electronics lab. Calibration targets, scanning tools, and software updates are now as important as paint booths and welders. The introduction of strict ADAS requirements via ADR updates has exposed a skills gap in the industry. Simply put, many experienced technicians were never trained on aligning radar sensors or coding a replacement module. “ADAS isn’t just a feature or an optional extra – it’s the foundation of future automotive technology. It’s the beginning of the next technological revolution,” says Lesley Yates, Director of Government Relations at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA). Yates notes that regulators are right to put faith in systems like AEB to save lives, “but that regulation only governs what happens when a vehicle enters the market… What happens after that – when the vehicle is repaired… is just as important”. In other words, if a car’s vehicle safety technology isn’t recalibrated post-repair, the whole intent of the ADR mandate is defeated. This recognition is driving a big push for retraining the workforce. National industry bodies and training organizations have stepped up efforts to upskill technicians in electronics and diagnostics. I-CAR Australia, for instance, now offers at least nine ADAS-specific courses covering everything from diagnostics to calibration techniques. Similarly, the Automotive Repairers Council of Australia (ARCA) has been working on practical guidance to help shops decide when and how to perform ADAS calibrations.

Raising the Standard with a National ADAS Code

In mid-2025, the AAAA and ARCA introduced a groundbreaking ADAS Calibration Industry Code of Conduct to guide workshops on best practices post-repair. Unveiled at the Autocare conference in Brisbane, this code is the first of its kind in Australia and a direct response to the challenges posed by ADR-driven technology changes. It provides clear checklists and procedures to determine when an ADAS sensor needs recalibration, ensuring consistent practices across the industry. Notably, the code complements automakers’ procedures but also fills gaps where official guidance might be lacking (for instance, if a manufacturer hasn’t specified a calibration after certain alignments or repairs). “By 2030, it’s estimated that 43% of the Australian car parc will be fitted with ADAS,” the code’s authors point out. That nearly half of all cars on the road will have some form of driver-assist tech underscores the urgency. “Until now, the aftermarket has operated without consistent guidelines… This gap could lead to ongoing confusion and uncertainty about legal and safety responsibilities,” the AAAA noted. Thanks to the new code, a panel shop in Perth or Penrith can follow the same steps to verify, say, a forward collision sensor after replacing a grille – a big win for safety. Lesley Yates calls the code “a vital step in ensuring vehicle safety systems continue to function as intended throughout a vehicle’s life”. It shows the industry’s willingness to lead proactively, rather than wait for government to impose repair regulations.

Training the Modern Panel Beater

Embracing these higher standards means investing in people and tools. Shops are sending technicians for certifications, arranging ADAS calibration workshops, and partnering with technology providers. As Craig Baills – ARCA Chair and a workshop owner – puts it, “We’ve had to bring together a lot of perspectives… mechanical, collision, tyre, windscreen, tool suppliers, trainers, and more. And we’ve done it. This is a practical document… something every business can use to lift their game and protect their customers.” His emphasis on collaboration is key: achieving safe repairs in the ADR42 era requires input from diverse experts. Many repairers are now routinely performing pre- and post-repair scans using remote diagnostics tools to catch electrical issues that bodywork alone might miss. These digital repair tools – whether an OEM scan tablet or a remote scanning service – have become as essential as a spanner. By documenting the electronic health of the vehicle before and after repairs, shops protect themselves and ensure compliance with insurer requirements. In fact, some insurers now require proof that safety systems were checked and calibrated, before they’ll settle claims on advanced cars. It’s an added responsibility on the shop, but also an opportunity to differentiate as a vehicle safety technology leader. Many customers today ask pointedly: “Will my lane assist still work after you fix my car?” A shop confident in its trained staff and calibration process can answer yes – and show the printouts to prove it.

Support from Industry and Technology Partners

The transition hasn’t been easy for everyone. Small shops especially may struggle to afford calibration fixtures or the latest scan tools. That’s where partnerships come in. Industry suppliers and companies like Repairify are offering solutions such as remote ADAS calibration assistance and remote diagnostic support. With these services, a shop can plug into a device and have a specialist technician guide calibrations or troubleshoot issues in real time over the internet. This means you don’t need to send every car to a dealer just because it has adaptive cruise control – you can recalibrate many systems in-house with a bit of remote expert help. The ADAS code of practice also gives confidence: if you follow the prescribed steps and document them, you’re demonstrating due diligence. As Stuart Charity, CEO of AAAA, said of the code, “It’s a clear signal to government and to the broader industry that we take our responsibilities seriously – and that we can lead from within.” In other words, repairers themselves are stepping up to meet ADR-driven challenges, rather than waiting to be policed into it.

Modernise your workshop

Every Australian collision repairer should see the ADR42 and ADAS evolution not as a threat, but as an opportunity to modernise and up-skill. Vehicles are only going to get smarter; the shops that thrive will be those that get smarter too. Repairify Australia is here to help body shops navigate these changes. From advanced digital repair tools and OEM-level scanning to training support for ADAS calibration and programming, Repairify AU provides the technology and expertise to keep your workshop at the cutting edge of vehicle safety technology. Don’t let new regulations leave you behind. Contact Repairify Australia for a consultation or demo on how our tools and remote services can retrain and empower your workforce – ensuring every repair meets the highest standard of safety and quality.