Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed that “the Commonwealth will … extend the ‘Right to Repair’ reforms to agricultural machinery” as part of the National Competition Policy agenda — putting agricultural repair access firmly on the national reform map.
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association chief executive Stuart Charity said the commitment was a breakthrough for farmers, regional businesses and independent repairers, but stressed the reform must be backed by practical access rules.
“This is a landmark competition reform for regional Australia,” Mr Charity said.
“But a Right to Repair law is only as real as its delivery mechanisms. Independent technicians need day-to-day access to the service and repair information, tools, software functions and parts that make safe and timely repairs possible.
“The test is simple: can a qualified independent repairer get what they need, when they need it, at a fair price — so machinery gets back to work?”
For many farmers, repair delays are not minor inconveniences — they mean missed planting and harvest windows, extended downtime, and significant cost and productivity losses across regional supply chains.
NFF president Hamish McIntyre said the announcement was a major breakthrough for farmers, delivering much-needed competition and productivity uplift.
“Farmers will finally have more freedom to choose who services and repairs their machinery. That means less downtime, lower costs and more control over their own businesses,” Mr McIntyre said.
“When a machine breaks down in the middle of harvest, waiting on an authorised dealer isn’t just inconvenient, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This reform will help farmers stay productive and competitive, which is exactly what farmers and the economy needs.”
VFF president Brett Hosking also celebrated the announcement.
“This is a game-changing piece of reform that will act on recommendations from farmers, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Productivity Commission and Right to Repair academics, as well as putting us in line with our international competitors,” he said.
“The VFF in partnership with the NFF has been pushing hard for this outcome, and it’s pleasing to see the government back a practical reform that helps farmers get on with the job.”
