Licence fees breakdown for mechanics

Tradies confused over new laws.

Shaun Priest has had to pay a $46 Licence renewal for the first time since acquiring his Tradespersons Certificate in 1988. Picture: SCOTT POWICK

A TWEED mechanic has been left scratching his head over new laws requiring him to renew his Tradesperson’s Certificate, despite not having to do so since receiving it 30 years ago.

Shaun Priest of Pottsville Autos is just one of hundreds of Tradesperson Certificate holders in the Tweed affected by new laws requiring tradespersons to pay $46 to renew their licences every three years.

The Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013, replaced the Motor Dealers Act 1974 and the Motor Vehicle repairs Act 1980 in December 2014, but Mr Priest said he was never made aware of the changes.

“I only found out by accident that it had to be renewed as I was told by apprentices that go to Tafe that the law had changed,” Mr Priest said.

“One of my workers then went to do his licence, so I decided I’d need to check it out.”

Mr Priest said he’d been a mechanic in Pottsville for 20 years and had lived at the same address for the last 25 years.

“This is the first we’ve heard about it, they haven’t as much as sent me a letter,” he said.

“Something that important needs correspondence and it’s not like they could’ve sent it to an old address.”

Mr Priest said he had followed up with the RTA, but couldn’t get a grasp on the changes.

“They (RTA) didn’t know a lot and it seemed it was all new for them,” he said.

“It looks like a cash grab.”

Mr Priest employs six mechanics and the directory lists more than 140 mechanical repairers in the Tweed and surrounds.

A spokesperson for Fair Trading NSW said changes were to bring Motor Dealers and Repairers’ licences in-line with other NSW licenses and despite confusion, mechanics should be aware of the changes.

“There’s been several hundred enquiries since legislation came into force as most people don’t keep up to date,” the spokesperson said.

“Parliament decided (on changes) in the interest of parties within the industry. There’s no other licences issued (in NSW) without an expiry.”