Frequently Asked Questions:
If you've got a question about RAWS you may just find the answer here in our FAQ section. If not please click here to submit your question to us & we'll get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.
What is a RAW (Registered Automotive Workshop)?
A RAW is a Workshop that is especially licensed by the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services (DoTaRS) to fit Used Import Plates to complied imported Used Vehicles. A RAW must comply with all Federal, State and Local Laws.
Examples:
1. If in your State you need to be a state registered workshop to do the RAW work of fitting brake pads, then you must register as a state workshop.
2. If a license from the EPA is required for the storage of waste oil, you need to obtain that licence.
Quality Assurance
A RAW must operate under an ISO 9001-2000 Quality System that also meets the requirements of JAS-ANZ procedure 24. This requires you to include in the scope of your Quality System certain items that DoTaRS require.
Vehicle-by-Vehicle Evidence Approval System
The RAW compliance process is a "Vehicle by Vehicle" approval system. This means that you purchase your first vehicle and obtain the evidence for that vehicle, then comply it in accordance with the evidence and the compliance criteria in the legislation and submit a Vehicle Inspection Certificate (VIC). When the vehicle and evidence is examined by officers of DoTaRS and is found to be OK, you have that vehicle added to your RAWS schedule and may apply for a Used Import Plate for that vehicle only. You may then bring in more vehicles of the same Make and Model, but must ensure that you have evidence to cover any variations that may exist between that vehicle and the first one. For example, the Nissan R33 Skyline is available as 2 door and 4 door. These vehicles have different lights, seats, locks, etc. If you have evidence for a 2 door, and then you bring in another vehicle that is a 4 door, then you must obtain evidence to cover all the different items. If the vehicle is not stock standard to factory specifications in all respects, the cost of evidence for the non-standard items may be extremely expensive.
How do I start a RAW?
Glad you asked. The process of becoming a raw is outlined in the DoTaRS RAWS Guide. For our summary of the process click here.
How do I start a RAW?
The steps in becoming a RAW are outlined on page 1 of Version 2 of the DoTaRS publication RAWS On-line Guide (RAWS Guide) released in July 2002. We have written a summary of this process below.
1. Get a Company
Use an existing company or set up a new company to operate the Workshop.
2. Register as a Participant
To do this, download a Participant registration form. Fill it in and fax it to DoTaRS. Tick the box that asks them to send the software on disc. They will send a CD containing Filler software, and will email you a Participant Number and log-on Password to the RAWS site.
3. Get a Quality Assurance System
Obtain a Quality Assurance System that is suited to your company and which addresses the areas required by DoTaRS. RAWS Australia is able to supply a simple Quality Assurance System that meets these standards. Once your system is in place you will need to get a 'Stage 1 Audit' conducted. This is an audit conducted by an external 'Certification Body' designed to ensure your quality assurance system satisfys the DoTaRS and JAS-ANZ requirements. 'Benchmark' or 'SAI Global' are both suitable as the 'Certification Body' to undertake a Stage 1 audit.
4. Lodge your Workshop Approval Application
Lodge an application for a Workshop Approval (currently the application fee is $2,000) with DoTaRS who will examine the application, check on the company, its associated personnel and the qualifications of your VIC Signatory and, if everything checks out OK, advise you that you may now import a sample vehicle.
5. Get a Sample Vehicle
Think carefully about the vehicle that you wish to bring in as your sample vehicle. You should ensure that evidence is available for the specific vehicle that you are bringing in (not just the vehicle Make and Model), as you cannot bring in a second sample vehicle until you have your workshop approval. Apply to bring in a 'sample' vehicle. Contact your evidence provider and arrange to have the evidence on hand before the vehicle arrives so that you can become familiar with the requirements and purchase the necessary parts. Comply the vehicle in accordance with the evidence and Work Instructions and arrange a Stage 2 audit to obtain ISO9001: 2000 certification.
6. Submit a VIC
After receiving notification that you have passed the Stage 2 audit, submit a VIC to DoTaRS using the Filler software program.
7. Vehicle Inspection
DoTaRS will conduct a vehicle inspection in which they examine your evidence and sample vehicle in your workshop. 8. When DoTaRS are satisfied with your evidence and sample vehicle they will advise the Certification Body who will then issue you with ISO 9001: 2000 certification.
8. Workshop Approval Granted
DoTaRS issues the workshop approval and adds the model of your sample vehicle to your workshop schedule of approved vehicles. DoTaRS will advise the plate contractor of the details for your compliance plate. The RAW then forwards payment to the plate contractor for the supply of the compliance plate. The plate contractor then sends the compliance plate to the RAW, who fits it to their sample vehicle.
9. Import Away
Now you can apply to import more vehicles either for compliance or to add or vary a model on your schedule of approved vehicles.
Note: After the workshop is approved there is no limit to the number of sample vehicles that you can have at one time. It is only during the gaining of your workshop approval that you are limited to one sample vehicle.
If you would like more information on opening up a RAW please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.
What are the differences between RAWS and Low-Volume New?
The RAW Scheme is for Used Imports, Low Volume New is for New Vehicles allowing up to 25 or 100 vehicles per annum per category. Both schemes require the vehicle to be listed on the SEVS Register in order for it to be eligible to import. However, please note that being listed on the SEVS Register does not mean that the vehicle is capable of being complied to Australian Design Rules or that anyone has obtained a licence to comply them.
How do I find out if a vehicle is eligible under SEVS?
Firstly check if the vehicle is listed on the SEVS Register. If the vehicle is listed on the register it is eligible under SEVS (though there may be conditions). If the vehicle is not listed on the SEVS Register you will need to download the administrators circular 0-2-12 on eligibility and the eligibility request form. Read the administrators circular and fill-in the eligibility request form. Having done this you should have a fair idea of whether the vehicle is eligible or not. If you believe it is eligible you can then submit your request form to RVCS. For a list of vehicles currently on RAWs schedules click here.
What guarantees do RAWS Australia provide on their Evidence Packages?
We do not guarantee that the package contains all the evidence for a vehicle model when it is supplied, even if we think it does! We simply don't know all the variations that a manufacturer offers in a model. We do guarantee that our evidence will meet - or be brought to meet - the requirements of VSS, will be easy for the RAW to understand so that they will make a minimum of mistakes and offers exceptional value for money invested.