A landmark win for the NSW automotive industry as EV Technicians achieve recognition

The Motor Traders’ Association of New South Wales (MTA NSW), in partnership with the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) and other state associations, has successfully achieved a historic milestone for Australia’s automotive industry with the formal recognition of Electric Vehicle (EV) Technicians under the Federal Government's new Occupation Standard Classification of Australia (OSCA).

“This is a transformative moment for our industry,” said Stavros Yallouridis, Chief Executive Officer of MTA NSW. “The recognition of EV Technicians reflects the pace of change in the automotive landscape and highlights the importance of developing a skilled workforce to support the rapid adoption of electric vehicles.”

The new classification arrives at a critical juncture for Australia, where electric vehicle adoption continues. With the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard set to commence soon, the need for a robust and skilled EV workforce has never been more urgent.

NSW has the largest fleet of electric vehicles on the road with over 60,000 EV registered across the state. NSW also has the largest workforce in Australia and ensuring that the workforce is trained for electric vehicles will be crucial moving forward.

Mr. Yallouridis added. “This decision lays the foundation for standardised training programs, clear career pathways, and the development of specialised skills that will future-proof our automotive sector.”

This classification will help businesses across New South Wales to invest in cutting-edge training and equipment, knowing that the skills required for EV technology are now formally recognised.

The achievement is the result of sustained advocacy and collaboration by MTAA and its state associations, including significant contributions from MTA NSW. “This success underscores the power of a unified approach to addressing industry challenges,” Mr. Yallouridis said. “It demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together to support the automotive industry's evolution toward sustainable transport solutions.”

In addition to the EV Technician classification, the recent inclusion of nine automotive roles in the Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) further highlights the sector’s critical importance. These initiatives signal strong governmental acknowledgment of the automotive industry’s pivotal role in Australia’s economic and technological future.

The new classification ensures that the workforce can meet growing demand, reinforces the sector’s contributions to sustainable transport, and opens new opportunities for technicians entering this rapidly evolving field.