AustraliaThe government has issued a compulsory recall for my vehicle model. Do I have to comply?
Yes, you must comply with a compulsory vehicle recall in Australia — it is legally required under the Road Vehicle Standards Act.
What the Law Says
The Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cth) gives the Australian Government authority to issue compulsory recalls for vehicles that pose an 'unacceptable safety risk'. Vehicle suppliers must notify affected owners and provide free repairs or remedies.
Under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government may issue a compulsory recall notice if a road vehicle 'poses an unacceptable safety risk'. This applies to new and used vehicles still under supplier responsibility.
Once a compulsory recall is issued, the vehicle supplier must notify all known owners within 30 days and provide a free remedy — such as repair, replacement, or refund — without charge to the consumer.
Consumers are legally required to comply with the recall directions. Refusing to have the recall performed may leave the vehicle non-compliant with safety standards and could affect registration or insurance.
Statutory TextThe Minister may, by written notice, require a person who supplies road vehicles to take action to address an unacceptable safety risk.
— Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cth), s. 142 — Compulsory recall notices
Statutory TextA person who fails to comply with a requirement under a compulsory recall notice is guilty of an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding 600 penalty units.
— Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cth), s. 145 — Offence for failure to comply
What to Do
Check your email, mail, or the Department of Infrastructure's Recall Database (https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/recalls) to confirm if your vehicle is affected.
Contact your vehicle’s authorised dealer or supplier to schedule the free recall repair — no cost to you.
Keep records of the recall completion (e.g., service invoice) for future reference.
If the supplier refuses to act or delays unreasonably, report it to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.