ADAS is not a threat — it is our industry’s next big opportunity. We’re not just adapting to change. We’re leading it.

In our industry, it is easy to get swept up in the buzz around EVs, hydrogen, and alternative fuels.
These technologies deserve attention, but if we’re being honest, the revolution that’s reshaping the automotive aftermarket right now isn’t electric — it’s ADAS.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are not a future concept. They are already embedded in all new passenger motor vehicles sold in Australia.
By 2030, it is predicted that 43 percent of our national car parc will be fitted with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
That’s just one ADAS feature. When you consider the broader list — lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition — the scale of change becomes clear.
This is not a niche concern. ADAS affects every single part of the aftermarket — from product design and manufacturing to vehicle modification and accessory fitment, through to service, diagnostics, and calibration.
Regardless of where you sit in the supply chain, ADAS touches your work.
And it is not just a technical issue. It is a business issue. It is a safety issue. It is a customer service issue. It is a workforce issue.
In short, it is the most all-encompassing technological shift we’ve seen in a generation — and our industry is stepping up.

We know our customers. Now we need to ask more.
One of the most immediate changes is how we interact with vehicle owners.
We’ve always talked to our customers. We know how they drive, what they use their vehicles for, and when something doesn’t feel right.
But ADAS changes the nature of that conversation. A miscalibrated camera or sensor won’t necessarily throw a fault code or flash a warning light.
Often, the only signs are subtle — a delay in braking, a twitchy lane departure response, or erratic cruise control. That’s where your customer becomes part of your diagnostic process.
We now need to ask new questions: “your vehicle has ADAS — how is it handling? Is the cruise control behaving normally? Have you noticed anything different about how the vehicle stays in its lane or is it jerking the steering?” Is the car owner actively aware and utilising the ADAS or have they turned off the warnings because they are beeping incessantly?
This shift puts communication and customer education front and centre. And in doing so, it reinforces what we already do best — building trust, solving problems, and keeping people safe.

What about modified vehicles?
Australians love to modify vehicles. It is part of who we are — making vehicles more capable, more suited to their purpose, safer, or more durable for our rough Australian conditions.
But if a modification alters ride height, or bumper profile, it can affect ADAS sensors and camera angles.
So, here’s the big question: can a modified vehicle be successfully calibrated for ADAS?
The answer has to be yes. Because saying “you can’t calibrate a modified vehicle” is simply not an acceptable outcome.
That would mean no bull bars, no suspension upgrades, no off-road mods — and that’s not the Australian automotive landscape.
What it does mean is that we need a smarter, more integrated approach. Better communication between the modifier and the repairer. A shared understanding of how modifications affect sensor placement, vehicle dynamics, and calibration parameters.
We also need practical, workshop-ready guidance, and that’s where our next big step comes in.

Industry is taking the lead
The automotive aftermarket isn’t waiting to be told what to do. We’re writing the playbook.
Right now, two industry-led Codes of Practice are in development: the ADAS Service and Repair Code; and the ADAS Modification Code.
These Codes are not theoretical. They are being created by working technicians — people who deal with ADAS every day, and who know what real-world solutions look like.
The Codes will provide clear, practical, safe guidance to help our industry navigate the complexities of ADAS, without losing what makes the aftermarket so strong: flexibility, innovation, and independence.
The Codes will cover how to assess whether a calibration is required, how to communicate with customers, how to handle modified vehicles, and how to ensure workshop readiness — including scan tools, and trained staff.
They will be voluntary, practical, and adaptable — designed to help our industry lead, not follow.

Launching at Autocare 2025
We are proud to announce that both ADAS Codes will be launched at Autocare 2025, taking place in Brisbane on 20–21 June. This will be a milestone moment for our industry.
The launch will include technical presentations, panel discussions, and hands-on sessions to explore how these Codes can be applied in your workshop or business.
Whether you’re in service and repair, product development, 4WD modifications, or ADAS calibration, these Codes will give you the clarity and confidence you need – so register now for Autocare 2025 at www.autocare.org.au and be part of the most important conversation in our industry right now.

This is our moment
ADAS is not something we can afford to ignore. But it is also not something to be afraid of.
Our industry has always adapted, always found practical solutions, and always looked after customers. We’ve done it with fuel injection, with hybrid drivetrains, with EVs — and we’ll do it again with ADAS.
Because at the end of the day, we are the people who keep vehicles safe. We are the ones who understand how Australians use their cars, Utes, and 4WDs. And we are the ones best placed to get this right.
ADAS is not a threat — it is a chance to show what we’re capable of. And we’re ready.

If you would like to offer your thoughts on this subject, please email advocacy@aaaa.com.au