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| VASA |
The Mobile AC, Electrical and Cooling Technicians of Australasia
(Formerly Vehicle Airconditioning
Specialists of Australasia incorporating the Australian Association
of Automotive Electricians)
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| TYPE OF ORGANISATION |
A public company limited by guarantee
(ABN 39 063 969 782 ACN 063 969 782) Non-profit |
| MEMBERSHIP |
Service
centres / technicians
OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) covering AC, electrical, electronic and radiators
Manufacturers of aftermarket products covering AC, electrical, electronic and radiators
Wholesalers involved
with vehicle air conditioning systems, electrical and electronics and radiators in Australia and New
Zealand
Corporates - mainly educationalists and those with an interest
in the industry, although not directly engaged in the industry
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| FOUNDATION |
Established at a meeting at Surfers
Paradise, Queensland in 1993 in response to increasing consumer
demands for higher standards of practice in the specialised
field of vehicle air conditioning. The Australian
Association of Automotive Electricians was established at about
the same time.
Subsequent AGMs and annual conventions have been held
at:
1993 Surfers Paradise
1994 Adelaide
1995 Melbourne
1996 Sydney
1997 Gold Coast
1998 Adelaide
1999 Melbourne
2000 Auckland
2001 Sydney
2002 Brisbane - renamed Wire & Gas Convention and Trade
Show
2003 AGM - Adelaide
2004 Gold Coast Queensland
2005 AGM - Sydney
2006 Gold Coast Queensland
2006 AGM
Gold Coast Queensland
2008 Gold Coast Queensland
2009 AGM Sydney NSW
2010 Gold Coast Queensland
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| Organisation (All
positions except CEO, Secretariat, Corporate Affairs, Website
management and Training
Coordinator are voluntary) |
A national board of directors of seven members of the company, elected annually
by the membership
Wire & Gas operates as a sub-Committee
Click here to see a Directory of all
office bearers |
| Operations |
The Executive
PRESIDENT 
Mark Padwick, Sydney
Phone 02 9791 0999
mpadwick@sanden.com.au
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VICE-PRESIDENT
Mark Mitchell, Gold Coast
Ph: 07 5571 1986
mmitchell@sca-australia.com.au
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TREASURER
Tim Grimes in Melbourne
Ph: 03 9896 7311
timg@cooldrive.com.au
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Ken Newton
Corporate Affairs
In Gold Coast, Queensland
Ken Newton is the Editor of the Hot Air Newsletter and the
privately operated The Automotive Technician, each published
every two months and delivered together to all financial members
of VASA.
He is also responsible for all other VASA publications and submissions
to Government, OEMs and media.
This website is developed and managed by Newtons. While Ken is
a part-time consultant to VASA, he has other clients and there
may be times when he is not readily available.
As of March 2008 the 'back office' functions of VASA
were sub-contracted to AIRAH, a kindred organisation based
in Melbourne, This office is reponsible
for all member invoicing, renewals, banking and financial
reports.
All official communications with VASA should be conducted
through the new administration centre at AIRAH. This office
will refer all matters dealing with publications, policy,
training and technical matters to the appropriate people.
Communications can be directed by email to:
secretary@vasa.org.au
and the first point of contact for all membership inquiries
and general inquiry should be to:
VASA
Level 3, 1 Elizabeth Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph:
03 8623 3019 Fax: 03 9614 8949
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Main
activities
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Improve and maintain standards
of automotive air conditioning and auto electrical installation,
repairs and maintenance through technical training and sharing of
information Provide
a professional consultancy representing the automotive airconditioning
and auto electrical industry which can advise governments, environmental
and standards authorities, insurance companies and kindred automotive
organisations on matters affecting the industry.
Ensure that members keep abreast of rapid technology changes
in automotive engineering.
Promote a culture of caring customer service,
transparent business practices, professional fault diagnosis
and consistent repair and warranty procedures in all VASA workshops.
Develop and maintain a code of technical standards and business
ethics which is selft-regulatory and strictly enforced.
Through conventions, trade shows and
regional workshop training programs, to contribute to the continuing
advancement and education of members. |
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Member Benefits
Revised 1 July 2006
To maintain standards and credibility, strict minimum
entry criteria has been set for persons or organisations seeking full
member status in VASA.
MEMBERSHIP
CATEGORY
SERVICE CENTRE OR TECHNICIAN
| FULL MEMBERSHIP —
Annual Subscription AUD$332.75 (inc GST), due 1 April each year.
A 10% discount is available each year at renewal time, provided
the Invoice is paid within 30 days.
New Zealand members do not include GST in their payments to
Australia, making their subscription AUD$302.50. A 10% discount
is available each year at renewal time, provided the Invoice
is paid within 30 days.
VASA offers pro rata membership rates in quarterly adjustments,
for those businesses who join at other times of the year. The
secretariat will advise of the fees to be paid in each application. |
To qualify for this category of membership individuals
or organisations must meet the following criteria and agree to the
conditions of membership.
ADHERENCE TO POLICIES
It is conditional on all membership categories, that members
must agree to abide by adopted VASA policies, standards and ethics.
WHO CAN JOIN
Applications for membership of VASA may be made by
the owner or proprietor of any workshop or service centre or any
automotive technician
who is required to carry out installations, maintenance or repair
of any automotive or vehicle air conditioning system. Memberships
are traditionally held by a Service Centre business or a technician
who runs a business. Should a technician who is employed by a Service
Centre wish to seek membership in his/her own right, the VASA Board
has the discretion to allow an individual membership, which will
be levied at the same rate as a Service Centre membership.
MINIMUM ENTRY STANDARDS
Any business wishing to join VASA must:
1. Be operated by a technician who holds a National
Refrigerant Handling Licence - Automotive. A licence number and
name must be provided as proof.
2. Must employ at
least one technician who holds a National Refrigerant Handling
Licence. A licence number and name must be provided as proof.
3. Hold as a minimum, a 12 month experienced person's licence
(National Refrigerant Handling), but in this event the member
will be a Provisional Member until such times as the full and
unrestricted National Refrigerant Handling Licence is obtained.
Membership Certificate, decals and badges, plus voting rights,
will be withheld until the full licence is obtained. It is the
responsibility of the member to inform VASA when the full Licence
is obtained. VASA reserves the right to discontinue membership
without notice should this criteria fail to be met.
Applicants must also comply with VASA's minimum
equipment list (Go to Equipment List) and
must be prepared to demonstrate to the satisfaction
of the Board, a proven knowledge to correctly fit, service,
diagnose and repair vehicle air conditioning systems if called
on to do so. This includes both refrigeration and electrical
circuits, applicable to all forms of vehicle air conditioning
systems containing less than 5kg of refrigerant.
While compliance with the VASA minimum equipment list is self
regulated, VASA reserves the right to seek proof of compliance
in the event of any dispute or evidence of diminished workshop
standards.
All VASA members must provide the names and licence numbers of
all Licenced technicians at the member business.
The business will be entitled to receive sufficient copies of
all technical bulletins and announcements for all licenced technicians,
as and when they are issued.
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MEMBERSHIP
CATEGORY
NATIONAL WHOLESALER
FULL MEMBERSHIP — Annual
Subscription AUD$1,200.00 (exl GST)
New Zealand members do not include GST in their payments
to Australia
NOTE: No Pro Rata rates for joining at other times of
the year are offered in this category. |
A Wholesaler, with branches
in more than one state, must satisfy the Board
that a significant part of their business relates to the wholesaling
of vehicle air conditioning components or assemblies and non-reusable
supplies such as refrigerants and oils.
Applications for membership may be made by the owner or proprietor of
any approved wholesale business or any technical officer employed by
the business who is required to provide technical services relating to
vehicle air conditioning.
It is conditional on all membership categories, that members must agree
to abide by adopted VASA policies, standards and ethics.
There are a number
of additional benefits in this category:
1. The location and key personnel of every branch is
included on the 'FIND IT' pages on the VASA website
2. The company logo will be displayed with
all web entries free of charge
3. A Branch Office VASA Kit – containing
VASA membership information, a Guide on the relationship between
wholesalers and the service centres of Australia/New Zealand
and tips on how to access and use to marketing advantage, the
technical information on offer in the membership section of the
VASA website (this kit is being prepared and will
be made available when we know how many you need)
4. All printed notices, special bulletins,
important announcements which emanate from the VASA office,
will be made available in sufficient quantity to
distribute to all listed company branches (They
will be sent in bulk to your nominated person, for distribution
within your own internal mailing system).
5. A copy of the current association journal, Automotive
Electrical and Air Conditioning News, will be provided to
the nominated company person.
6. Access
to the technical and special pages of the VASA website
will be extended through a unique password issued to every
branch
7. VASA decals and Membership
Certificates as they are issued each year, will be distributed
in sufficient quantity to cover all company branches, allowing
them to promote the fact that every outlet is a member of VASA
8. Members in this category will receive priority access to
booth bookings or sponsorship releationships for Wire & Gas Training
Conventions and Trade Show, and regional workshops.
9. Members in this category will receive a
$40 discount automatically
on each full size confirmed booth booking made prior to SIX MONTHS
prior to the 2008 Wire & Gas Convention and Trade Show.
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MEMBERSHIP
CATEGORY
STATE WHOLESALER
FULL MEMBERSHIP — Annual
Subscription AUD$450.00 (exl GST)
New Zealand members do not include GST in their payments
to Australia
NOTE: No Pro Rata rates for joining at other times of
the year are offered in this category. |
A Wholesaler, with one
outlet in one state, must satisfy the Board
that a significant part of their business relates to the wholesaling
of vehicle air conditioning components or assemblies and non-reusable
supplies such as refrigerants and oils.
Applications for membership may be made by the owner or proprietor of
any approved wholesale business or any technical officer employed by
the business who is required to provide technical services relating to
vehicle air conditioning.
It is conditional on all membership categories, that members must agree
to abide by adopted VASA policies, standards and ethics.
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MEMBERSHIP
CATEGORY
OEM or AFTERMARKET
MANUFACTURER
| FULL MEMBERSHIP — Annual
Subscription AUD$400.00 (exc GST)
New Zealand members do not include GST in their payments
to Australia
NOTE: No Pro Rata rates for joining at other times of
the year are offered in this category. |
A Manufacturer seeking
membership must satisfy the Board that it is significantly involved
in the assembly or manufacture of components or assemblies for
the vehicle air conditioning industry.
Applications for membership may be made by the owner or proprietor of
any approved manufacturing business or any technical officer employed
by the business who is required to provide manufacturing product, equipment
or technical services relating to vehicle air conditioning.
It is conditional on all membership categories, that members must agree
to abide by adopted VASA policies, standards and ethics.
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MEMBERSHIP
CATEGORY
CORPORATE
| Restricted Membership - Annual Subscription
AUD$120 (exl GST)
New Zealand members do not include GST in their payments
to Australia
In this category, a flat fee membership applies.
Pro rata membership fees do not apply. Members will
pay a full year's membership, regardless of when they
join during the year. |
This category is available to a person
or organisation with a kindred or complimentary interest in the
ideals and philosophies of VASA, but does not qualify for any of
the above categories. Workshop operators or technicians fully engaged
in the a/c repair business do not qualify for this membership category.
This membership type:
• Does not have voting rights
• May not use or advertise the VASA symbol
• Will be included on the mailing list for all VASA activity
• Will not have access to the Members Only pages of the
VASA website.
• Will be eligible to participate as a full registration delegate at Wire & Gas conventions
and trade shows, receiving any special member's discount applicable.
It is conditional on all membership categories, that members must agree
to abide by adopted VASA policies, standards and ethics. |
MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS
ALL CATEGORIES EXCEPT CORPORATE
- Membership of the network of choice in the aftermarket service industry,
with emphasis on automotive air conditioning and complimentary professional
services and products
- Unique access to all levels of the industry, because of the diversity
of membership
- Effective and readily available networking and communication opportunities
at all levels of the industry
- Access to a range of technical data and training resources and to
workshop training sessions when and where available
- Exposure through conventions, regional workshops and other communications
to diversification opportunities, technical information and better
business practices
- Member's Manual in a ring binder, containing services standards and
technical bulletins
- Membership Certificate
- Window decal (2) and uniform badges (4) with new membership. Renewable
supplies at special member rates.
- Access to the official journal, Automotive Electrical and Air-conditioning
News (subscription by arrangement)
- Access to all technical information and promotional opportunities
on the VASA website
- Access to VASA technical library
- Access to VASA Technical Brains Trust for more immediate problem
solving
- Full voting rights at the Annual General Meeting of VASA or any
other properly convened meeting
- Eligibility for Directorship positions
- Access to found business generated by VASA management policies
- Access to technical bulletins and convention papers distributed by
MACS Worldwide, the biggest aftermarket a/c association in the world
(thanks to an affiliation program between VASA and MACS)
- The right to bring forward any issue affecting their business, for
consideration by the Board of Directors and where appropriate, VASA's
Technical Brains Trust
- Access to the Secretariat at any time for any issue affecting the
member's business
HOW
TO JOIN
Applying for Membership
All applications for membership must be made in accordance with the
application form approved from time to time by the Board.
Print out the form by clicking this link-
Print out a PDF
application form
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 (see Note
1)
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
Relevant Codes of Practice
Note:
Many technicians use dye leak detection in place of electronic leak testing.
Dye detection is only suitable for elapsed time leakages. Electronic detection
is the ONLY approved method for time of repair testing (see Leak Testing
- Service Procedures)
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT LIST
The operational equipment will be dependent on the extent of repair procedure
the individual VASA member undertakes. For this reason this list is task/repair
specific. The equipment is required for the specified tasks if they are undertaken
by the workshop/business.
System flushing
Dedicated flushing equipment
Flushing agent
Nitrogen cyclinder with regulator/hose capable of pressures of 1750kPa
- 2100 kPa (250 - 300 Psi). (see Flushing Procedures - Servicing)
Hose Crimping
Crimping equipment dedicated to the fitting design as applicable
Hose cutter
Compressor Seal replacement
Full seal replacement tool kit of individual pullers, shaft protectors,
set and seal replacement tools, circlip pliers etc
Compressor pressure test apparatus
Refrigerant identification
Electronic identifier
Leak detection dyes
Dye (universal or oil specific), dye injector, UV light, UN safety
glasses
Air flow/velocity measurement
Air velocity meter (Anemometer)
Critical charge/sub-cool measurement
Accurate surface probe thermometer
Cabin pressure testing
Water monometer or equivalent
Acid testing
Acid test kit
NOTES:
COMPULSORY AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Ensure additional MSDS and Safe Operating Procedure
sheets are available for all substances and equipment used in the servicing
and repairs in your workplace.
Safety glasses must be worn when working with refrigerants
and flushing agents.
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