The inaugural National Caravan Industry Summit took place at Parliament House in Canberra on September 22–23, bringing together dealers, repairers, manufacturers, importers, and suppliers from across Australia.
The event, convened by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA), provided an opportunity for sector-specific discussions aimed at addressing industry challenges and supporting long-term profitability.
Senator Helen Polley, a long-standing supporter of the caravanning and camping sector, attended the summit to gain a firsthand understanding of the issues faced by trade businesses.
These insights, she noted, will help inform her work in Parliament to drive policy progress for the industry.
During a session focused on dealers and repairers, participants discussed concerns about warranties, particularly delays in approvals, access to spare parts, and labour rates.
Other key issues included indemnification under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and calls for national harmonisation of electrical and gas licensing standards.
Throughout these discussions, participants highlighted the importance of maintaining consumer trust, with emphasis placed on protecting the strength of “Brand Caravan” and ensuring consistent customer outcomes.
The session also featured a conversation with Dr. Daniel Mulino, assistant treasurer and minister for financial services.
According to a press release, dialogue centred on ACL challenges, including the complexity of indemnification and the possibility of reclassifying caravans to better reflect their technical nature compared to standard consumer goods.
Shadow Minister for Training and Skills, Scott Buchholz, contributed to the conversation by addressing workforce and skills development needs. Among the possible policy responses raised was a government-supported industry code with tribunal-like powers, an idea flagged for further consideration.
In a separate session, manufacturers, importers, and suppliers discussed similar themes, including compliance, customer service, and maintaining product quality.
Austrade delivered a presentation on export and import dynamics, outlining potential grant opportunities for businesses seeking to grow international operations.
Topics addressed included supplier and manufacturer obligations under ACL, workforce shortages of trained service technicians, and limitations in data provided by the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV).
Concerns were also raised about compliance enforcement, particularly around non-compliant manufacturers, gas and electrical installations completed overseas, and the need for greater auditing and transparency from the Federal Department.
Participants stressed that improving these areas is essential for strengthening customer confidence and ensuring sustainable growth.
For business owners in the caravan and outdoor hospitality sectors, the summit underscored the increasing focus on regulatory compliance, customer trust, and workforce capacity as critical factors shaping the industry’s future.
With government engagement at both ministerial and departmental levels, upcoming policy developments could influence warranty practices, consumer law obligations, and technical workforce training—all areas directly tied to day-to-day operations and long-term profitability.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia emphasized that the summit’s objective was to ensure the industry’s collective voice is heard, while also mapping practical pathways toward achievable outcomes.