- Where does VASA operate from?
- Who are the current office bearers?
- What are VASA’s main activities?
- What are the membership categories and what do they cost?
- What are the service standards & minimum equipment list for members?
- What are the main benefits of being a member?
Where does VASA operate from?
VASA’s administration and membership records are at the Treasurer’s (Jeff Smit) office in Sydney, while all other aspects of VASA operations are handled either by certain Directors, or through the only other contracted part time consultant, Ken Newton at Paradise Point in Queensland. The VASA board members are volunteers from the industry located at various businesses around Australia and New Zealand. VASA members can be found in every state and territory in Australia and New Zealand. Click hereto find your nearest VASA member.
Who are the current office bearers?
 President: Ian Stangroome(Adelaide SA) Ph: 08 8234 9112 |
 Vice President: Mark Padwick(Sydney NSW) Ph: 02 9791 0999 |
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Ph: 03 9896 7311 |
 Director: Catherine Tocker(Hamilton NZ) Ph: 64 7 849 6906 Fax: 64 7 849 6460 hamilton@coolcar.co.nz
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 Director: Brett Meads(Gympie Qld) Ph: 07 5483 8444 |
 Director: Deyan Barrie(Sydney NSW) Ph: 02 9476 6277 |
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Treasurer: Jeff Smit Ph: 02 9437 9942 |
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What are VASA’s main activities?
VASA strives to improve and maintain standards of automotive air conditioning and auto electrical installation, repairs and maintenance through technical training and sharing of information
We provide a professional consultancy representing the automotive air-conditioning, engine cooling and auto electrical industry which can advise governments, environmental and standards authorities, insurance companies and kindred automotive organisations on matters affecting the industry.
We ensure that members keep abreast of rapid technology changes in automotive engineering. Through conventions, trade shows and regional workshop training programs, VASA contributes to the continuing advancement and education of members.
VASA promotes a culture of caring customer service, transparent business practices, professional fault diagnosis and consistent repair and warranty procedures in all VASA workshops and have developed and maintained a code of technical standards and business ethics which is self-regulatory and strictly enforced.
What are the membership categories and what do they cost?
Workshop – Annual Fees $359 (plus GST)
Eligibility. The business owner or at least one employee with a Certificate III in automotive electrical, or a Certificate II in Automotive (Mechanical-Radiator Repairs), or a Certificate II in Air Conditioning or a National Refrigerant Handling licence. Other qualifications as approved by VASA. Workshop members have full voting rights and access to all VASA entitlements including all publications and exposure on the VASA website.
National Wholesaler – Annual Fee $1200 (plus GST)
Eligibility. Business wholesaling automotive electrical, engine cooling or air conditioning parts with branches in more than one state or territory. National Wholesaler members have full voting rights and access to all VASA entitlements including all publications and exposure on the VASA website.
Manufacturer – Annual Fee $400 (plus GST)
Eligibility. Manufacturer of auto electrical, air conditioning or engine cooling components or repair equipment. Manufacturer members have full voting rights and access to all VASA entitlements including all publications and exposure on the VASA website.
State Wholesaler – Annual Fee $450 (plus GST)
Eligibility. Business wholesaling automotive electrical, engine cooling or air conditioning parts with branches in one state or territory only. State Wholesaler members have full voting rights and access to all VASA entitlements including all publications and exposure on the VASA website.
Associate Member – Annual Fee $90 (plus GST)
Eligibility. Certificate III in automotive electrical, or a Certificate II in Automotive (Mechanical-Radiator Repairs), or a Certificate II in Air Conditioning or a National Refrigerant Handling licence. Other qualifications as approved by VASA. This membership is designed as a low cost entry to VASA to enable individual technicians who are employees of any workshop to keep abreast of VASA activities. Associate members will be issued with an Associate Certificate of membership, will receive the Hot Air newsletter and have access to the VASA website. Associate members do not have voting rights and do not receive subscription to the TaT magazine or any other promotional material.
Corporate – Annual Fee $120 (plus GST)
Eligibility. Other businesses and entities with indirect involvement in the industry. Corporate members do not have voting rights, nor exposure on the VASA website, or subscription to TaT. They receive all other VASA entitlements including Hot Air.
What are the service standards and minimum equipment list for members engaged in air conditioning repairs and maintenance?
Equipment list standards
VASA’s operating philosophy is based on the application of professional service standards. The following service standards are in addition to the guidelines established by relevant legislation (enforced via the Codes of Practice) when dealing with prescribed substances.
These standards are the guidelines for servicing to be used on all systems, irrespective of the refrigerant being used (i e Ozone depleting or non-ozone depleting).
It is not feasible for VASA to specify acceptable service and repair procedures for all systems simply because of the diversity in systems. The procedures listed here are generic and can be applied to a majority of vehicle air conditioning systems. When working on systems where it is deemed that due to complexity, layout or design, additional procedures are required, the VASA technician must perform tasks that maintain the integrity of the system. Specifically, those technicians who work with earthmoving plant and agricultural equipment will have a more extensive service list than indicated here, as will chiller and freezer units and systems incorporating complex electronic control systems.
Service equipment
To perform service procedures to an acceptable standard all VASA workshops/businesses must have the following equipment as a MINIMUM.
- Manifold and gauge set/s, refrigerant dedicated
- Hose set with service couplers, refrigerant dedicated and conforming with all relevant States Codes of Practice (where applicable)
- Refrigerant Weight/Volume measuring equipment, incorporated into charging station or independent item. Usually a graduated charging cylinder (dial-a-charge) or electronic weight platform
- Vacuum pump capable of – 100.6 kPa (-29.62 InHg.)
- Electronic leak detector either audible/visible electronic or heated diode type
- Thermometer
- Oil Measuring Equipment, oil injector, syringe or graduated container
- Servicing labels specifying refrigerant, oil, service dates and must comply with state regulations.
- Recovery Station for the recovery of prescribed substances (must comply with AS 4211.1)
- Digital Multi-Meter mandatory for the testing of electronic control systems
- Hand/Power tools, adequate range to facilitate service and repair
- Hoist/Ramp/Pit/Floor jacks, with safety stands/locking mechanisms operational
- Safety glasses/gloves
What are the main benefits of being a member?
As a technician in today’s rapidly changing automotive world, you just can’t gather enough information to keep your business profitable and your skills up to date. To stay ahead of the game, you need the resources and support of the VASA network to help you compete with the corporate chains and dealerships.
VASA membership pays dividends well beyond its small annual membership fee with benefits like:
- recognition as an industry specialist by your membership of Australasia’s largest independent group of air conditioning, electrical and cooling technicians
- qualified business inquiries driven by VASA’s website and other national advertising
- exposure for your business on VASA’s website, including your own member page and
- email address mybusiness@vasa.org.au
- access to cutting edge industry training by leading trainers at VASA-accredited workshops – with some at member-only subsidised prices
- free subscription for all workshop members to The Automotive Technician – the automotive industry’s most informative trade journal – retail value $115 per year – plus VASA members can access the TaT website and its hundreds of repair solutions, as well as the on-line technical help facility
- VASA newsletter Hot Air posted to every member, along with the TaT magazine (workshop members only), every two months
- access to the member-only section of the VASA website where you will find VASA’s own Registered Technician Program (RTP) on air conditioning, as well as archived copies of MACS Worldwide (USA) technical bulletins and other training and reference materials
- support and representation of your business by VASA board members at state and federal government level and industry groups. It is essential that the needs of the automotive air conditioning, electrical and cooling industry are taken into consideration with issues such as the carbon trading scheme and the introduction of new low global warming refrigerants for automotive use.
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