The right to repair: why you should be able to fix what you own

When your smartphone screen cracks or your washing machine breaks down, you should have the right to choose how to fix it. Yet increasingly, manufacturers are designing products to be unrepairable, forcing consumers into expensive replacements or overpriced "authorised" repairs. This isn't just frustrating - it's costing Australian households thousands of dollars while creating mountains of electronic waste.

The scale of Australia's repair problem

The numbers are staggering. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Australians discard approximately 140,000 tonnes of e-waste annually - equivalent to throwing away $2.5 billion worth of electronics. Much of this waste could be avoided if manufacturers weren't deliberately making repairs difficult or impossible.

Consider these common repair roadblocks:

• Proprietary screws and tools that require specialised equipment
• Software locks that disable devices when third-party parts are installed
• Unavailable spare parts or parts priced at 80% of a new device's cost
• Voided warranties for attempting DIY repairs
• Serialised components that only work with the original device

These practices don't just hurt your wallet - they're environmentally destructive. The average Australian household contains over $7,000 worth of unused electronics, much of it still functional but replaced due to minor, fixable issues.

Why manufacturers fight repair rights

The resistance to repair isn't accidental; it's a deliberate business strategy. Manufacturers profit more from selling new devices than from supporting repairs of existing ones. This "planned obsolescence" model has created a throwaway culture where a $1,200 smartphone might be discarded because a $30 battery replacement is artificially complicated or expensive.

Apple, for instance, has faced criticism for using serialised parts in iPhones, meaning even genuine Apple components won't work if transferred between devices. Similarly, Tesla has restricted access to spare parts and diagnostic software, forcing owners to use Tesla-approved repair centres even for minor issues.

The economic case for repair rights

Right to repair isn't just about environmental responsibility - it's about economic fairness and competition. When manufacturers control the entire repair ecosystem, they can charge whatever they want. Independent repair shops, which typically charge 30-50% less than authorised centres, are squeezed out of the market.

A 2025 Productivity Commission analysis found that right to repair legislation could save Australian consumers up to $1.2 billion annually through:

• Lower repair costs due to increased competition
• Extended product lifespans reducing replacement frequency
• Job creation in the independent repair sector
• Reduced waste disposal costs for councils

International progress leaves Australia behind

While Australia debates repair rights, other jurisdictions are taking action. The European Union's right to repair legislation, implemented in 2024, requires manufacturers to make spare parts available for up to 10 years and provide repair manuals for common appliances.

Several US states have passed comprehensive right to repair laws, with New York leading the charge in 2025. Even tech giant Apple has begun supporting right to repair legislation after years of opposition, recognising the shifting political landscape.

Current Australian policy gaps

Australia's consumer protection laws offer some repair-related protections through Australian Consumer Law, which guarantees reasonable product durability. However, these protections don't address the core issues:

• No requirement for manufacturers to provide repair documentation
• No mandated availability of spare parts beyond warranty periods
• No restrictions on anti-repair design practices
• Limited penalties for companies that void warranties inappropriately

The ACCC has initiated several investigations into repair practices, including a 2024 inquiry into mobile phone repairability, but regulatory action has been slow and limited.

What comprehensive repair rights look like

Effective right to repair legislation should include:

• Mandatory spare parts availability for at least 7-10 years post-sale
• Public repair documentation including service manuals and diagnostic tools
• Fair pricing of spare parts relative to device value
• Software unlock requirements for legitimate repairs
• Warranty protection for consumers who attempt repairs
• Independent repair shop access to the same tools as authorised centres

Why direct democracy matters for repair rights

Traditional politics has failed to deliver meaningful repair rights legislation, largely due to powerful corporate lobbying from manufacturers. Tech companies and appliance makers spend millions annually influencing political decisions, often drowning out consumer voices.

Direct democracy offers a different approach. When citizens vote directly on policy, the influence of corporate lobbying diminishes. Polls consistently show that 70-80% of Australians support right to repair measures - a clear mandate that traditional politics has ignored.

Through Direct Democracy's platform, members can:

• Vote on specific repair rights legislation
• Prioritise consumer protection over corporate profits
• Ensure elected representatives actually represent voter preferences
• Hold politicians accountable for ignoring clear public support

Taking action on repair rights

The right to repair represents a fundamental question: should you control what you own, or should manufacturers? The answer seems obvious, yet corporate influence has prevented meaningful reform for years.

Direct democracy can break this deadlock by giving citizens the power to directly shape policy. When voters - not lobbyists - determine legislative priorities, consumer-friendly policies like repair rights become achievable.

Ready to take back control of policy-making? [Take our quiz](https://directdemocracy.com.au/quiz) to see how direct democracy can deliver the changes you want to see, from repair rights to broader consumer protection. Because your voice should matter more than corporate profits.