Compliance Guide

ADR Compliance Guide

Hi and welcome to this InfoMo. InfoMo’s are information sheets for customers and enthusiasts wanting better information on particular aspects of the many and varied services we provide. If you would like a copy of the information detailed below simply click on the PDF link, or ‘Contact Us‘ and we’ll send you copy.

InfoMo 103

InfoMo 103 - Importing Provisions-24

Despite the reality that there is no automotive or motorcycle manufacturing in Australia, the entire automotive & motorcycle industry falls under the auspices of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and is therefore, a beneficiary of the last bastion of legislated protectionism. It’s quite ironic that while ex-Prime Ministers, Premiers, and many notable MP’s are members of associations whose sole objective are to find foreign buyers for our agriculture industry, at the expense of local ownership I might add, successive Governments not only enforce, but maintain an ideology of increased protectionism for the automotive manufacturing industry that doesn’t exist; go figure. There’s either plenty of poly’s that hold interests in vehicle dealerships, or, the FCAI play an active role in maintaining trough levels in both sides of the political divide.
As a result of being wrapped up with car protectionism, federal law dictates four permissible methods of legally importing vehicles for registration. These are summarized below; full requirements can be found on the Rover web site. Raidermoto can assist, in part or whole, with the importation, compliance and registration of vehicles under any of the provisions detailed below.

1) Personal Import Scheme

This provision is only permissible for Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents. To qualify however, you must have owned and used the vehicle in its country of registration for at least 12 months prior to making application to import. The vehicle still requires an approval, and registration and insurance information must be provided to prove that you have owned & used the vehicle. In most cases the vehicle you’re importing is identical to those sold here, but nonetheless there are still a number of minor modifications required to make a vehicle meet Australian Vehicle Standards.

2) Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) – formerly Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS)

The RAV scheme allows for the importation and compliance of used vehicle less than 25 years old. To be imported under this scheme there are a number of requirements. Firstly, we must ensure the vehicle is on the SEV’s register (Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicles), and if not make application to have the vehicle added to the register. Once accepted and on the register we can import the bike where it must arrive and undergo preliminary testing and inspection to ensure the vehicle meets the Road Vehicle Standards Rule 2019. Testing includes emissions, braking, noise, lighting, and every vehicle must have fitted a new tyres purchased and invoiced as being bought in Australia. Upon completion the vehicle is fitted with an Import Plate, which takes the place of the Australian Compliance plate you find fitted to all vehicles sold new in Australia.

Note: under the new provision, vehicles less than 25 years old MUST have ABS brakes irrespective of whether or not the vehicle was manufactured with ABS. This requirement is bureaucratic stupidity of the highest order, and remains in place despite numerous representations to the department. Please feel welcome to lodge complaint with your local Federal MP.
To see a list of vehicles that are currently eligible for import, and already on a RAW’s schedule, click here

3) Low-Volume New Scheme

The Low Volume New scheme allows the Low-Volume Compliance Plate Approval holders to comply a maximum of 100* new vehicles for each category per year. To import and comply a vehicle under this scheme it must be first listed on the SEVSRegister *Motorcycles have no restriction
4) Vehicles 25 years or older
This provision entitles vehicles older than 25 years to be imported with minimal fuss and/or compliance requirements. Warning, absolute build month/year must be supplied irrespective of the vehicles age. Whilst easier to import, many states have introduced a requirement for imported vehicles to undergo engineering inspections to ensure compliance with Australian Design Rules relative to the vehicle’s build date. Vehicles not suitable under the provisions above, like racing and/or display vehicles, can be imported under the Racing & Competition provision, or a ‘Special Uses’ provision. Vehicles imported under the competition provision can never be registered in Australia without first making application to DOTARS to have the import approval reassessed. If granted the vehicle must then undergo compliance in accordance with the applicable provision (items 2, 3, or 4 above).