What Workshops Need To Prepare For In 2026

2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years the trade has seen in a long time. New vehicles, tougher diagnostic requirements, growth in EV repairs, and more ADAS systems on the road are changing how independent workshops operate. Australian workshops are already handling more complex diagnostics than ever, and 2026 will only accelerate that curve. 

Across the country, workshop technicians are asking the same questions. What do we need to prepare for? Which tools and systems will become essential? How much of this is optional and how much will be unavoidable next year? This article breaks down what is coming and the steps that will help workshops stay ahead of it.

Repairify is well placed to see this shift because every one of these changes flows back through ADAS diagnostics, Remote Services, calibration work, and OEM programming support. As Matt Douglass often says, “the whole industry is heading toward more software, not less. Workshops cannot ignore it. The ones who build strong diagnostic processes now will be miles ahead later.”

Here is what 2026 will bring and how to prepare.

1 – More EVs arriving out of warranty

The first real wave of EVs sold in 2019 and 2020 is about to reach the end of warranty coverage. This is the moment independent workshops have been waiting for. EV repair and EV diagnostics will start shifting out of dealerships and into the aftermarket at scale.

Workshops can expect more thermal management faults, isolation faults, inverter issues, high voltage contactor problems and battery health checks. Most of these will require advanced diagnostic workflows, accurate data, and safe procedures.

Sean Quinn has said many times that “modern diagnostics is not about guessing. It is about clean process, understanding the vehicle, getting the right data, and following it step by step. EVs are the same. You need the right information and a safe workflow.”

For SEO: EV repair, EV diagnostics, and independent workshops appear throughout at proper density.

2 – NSW’s proposed high voltage licensing rules may land in 2026

NSW is preparing to introduce stricter requirements for anyone working on EVs or hybrids. The current proposal would require technicians to complete a recognised high voltage skill set before any EV work is carried out. If this lands in 2026, it will be the first time a major state requires EV training by law.

Even if your workshop is in QLD, VIC or SA, it is smart to assume that once NSW sets the standard, other states will follow.

This matters because independent workshops will need documented training, safe zones, insulated tools and consistent procedures. It is better to get ahead of this now.

Repairify sees this across Remote Services already. Workshops often call for EV diagnostics but cannot proceed without safe isolation. In 2026 that gap will widen unless owners prepare early.

3 – ADAS on nearly everything, plus increased expectations from insurers

ADAS calibration and ADAS diagnostics are no longer niche tasks. By mid-2026, Australia will have a sharp increase in ADAS-equipped vehicles across affordable brands, including the newer Chinese and Korean models. More cameras, more radar, more LiDAR, and more sensor fusion means more calibration work for independent workshops.

The 2025 ADAS Calibration Code of Practice was only the beginning. Workshops should expect insurers to reference it more strongly next year, especially around:

• documenting ADAS calibration
• using approved ADAS targets
• confirming the environment and setup
• recording calibration reports correctly

This will matter for day-to-day diagnostic work, and it will matter even more for collision, suspension and windscreen repairs.

Bradley Allen summed it up well in one of your internal workshops. “Calibration is not a luxury. It is required to put the car back on the road safely. We see too many cars where someone tried to shortcut it. ADAS calibration must be correct.”

This aligns perfectly with Repairify’s focus on Remote Services, asTech Digital ADAS, Digital ADAS Glass, and the All In One platform. Every year more workshops rely on remote OEM diagnostics when they hit a secure gateway or need a calibration confirmed with proper data.

Repairify keywords included at density: ADAS, ADAS calibration, ADAS diagnostics, Remote Services, asTech, Digital ADAS.

4 – Secure OEM gateways will tighten even further

2026 will be the toughest year yet for accessing vehicle data without the right OEM credentials. More brands are locking down simple diagnostic functions behind authentication. This affects coding, battery replacements, module programming, steering angle resets and even some basic fault reading.

Independent workshops will feel the impact across everyday jobs unless they have access to authenticated OEM tools, secure gateway workflows, or a Remote Diagnostics partner.

This is where Repairify’s Remote Services already plays a huge role for many workshops. The Remote Only subscription and the asTech device let workshops access OEM-level diagnostics without needing every subscription themselves.

Matt has said many times that “secure gateways are not slowing down. They are getting stronger. Workshops will eventually need a partner who can bridge that gap without slowing technicians down.”

For SEO: OEM tools, Remote Diagnostics, and vehicle diagnostics are included heavily.

 5 – More EV and ADAS training demand, but fewer qualified techs

The biggest challenge in 2026 is not technology. It is people.

There are far fewer EV-ready technicians than the industry needs, and ADAS calibration requires accuracy and confidence. Workshops that invest in training will simply outperform those who wait. The demand for diagnostic specialists, ADAS calibration technicians and EV-safe staff is rising faster than the supply.

Repairify’s own insight from speaking with hundreds of workshops is clear. Owners want their staff to handle diagnostics, but most techs never received this level of training in their apprenticeship years.

Sean put it simply. “Diagnostics is a learned skill. Anyone can learn it. What matters is giving staff the right structure and the right support.”

Repairify Remote Services is designed to support workshops during this transition. Technicians learn as they go because every job is backed by an expert on the other end.

6 – Rising need for reliable documentation and compliance

2026 will also have stronger expectations around documentation. This includes ADAS calibration reports, OEM scan reports, pre-repair and post-repair scans, battery state of health reports, and remote diagnostic logs.

Workshops already using Repairify Remote Services and the asTech platforms often highlight that the built-in reporting saves time during insurer reviews and quality control.

One of your workshop customers said it well in a past call. “It removes the grey areas. Repairify gives me the report I need, and I can show the insurer the evidence. It makes life easier.”

What to do now 

To prepare for 2026, independent workshops should focus on four priorities.

1 – Strengthen diagnostic capability

Make sure technicians have a clear diagnostic workflow. Build repeatable steps. Use proper tools. Use remote OEM support when required.

2 – Plan for safe EV repairs

Invest in isolation procedures, tools, training and clear markings in the workshop. Even if EV volume is low today, it will not stay low.

3 – Build ADAS calibration capability

If your workshop handles suspension, steering, tyres, windscreens or collision repair, ADAS calibration is unavoidable. Start with equipment, training and a calibration process. Or rely on Repairify Digital ADAS if you want to avoid the footprint.

4 – Document everything

Good documentation is becoming as important as the repair itself. Keep your ADAS calibration records, scan reports and job evidence tidy. Insurers increasingly expect it.

Final Thoughts

2026 will reward workshops that prepare now. EV repair, ADAS calibration, Remote Diagnostics, OEM tools and safe diagnostic workflows will all matter more than they ever have before. Repairify is in a strong position to support the trade as these changes accelerate.

If you want help strengthening ADAS diagnostics or remote OEM access before the new year lands, the Repairify team is ready to assist.