To the Honorable Members of Parliament and Relevant Government Authorities,

We, the undersigned, call upon the Australian Government to urgently establish a national independent regulatory body to oversee the manufacture, sales, and after-sales service of caravans and recreational vehicles (RVs) in Australia.

While the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) currently exists as a peak industry body, it primarily represents the interests of manufacturers and industry stakeholders, not consumers. Despite the booming growth of the caravan industry, consumers continue to report widespread issues, including:

• Poor manufacturing quality resulting in unsafe or unreliable caravans
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  Lack of accountability for warranty repairs or product faults
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  Substandard after-sales service
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  No effective dispute resolution pathways for consumers when things go wrong

Australians are spending on average between 80-150k on caravans that do not meet reasonable expectations of quality, durability, or safety. When issues arise, consumers often find themselves stuck between dealers and manufacturers, both shifting blame, while the consumer bears the financial and emotional burden. According to multiple consumer advocacy reports and widespread anecdotal evidence across social media, caravan forums, and consumer complaint platforms:

• There are frequent violations of basic consumer rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
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  Many manufacturers are not honouring warranties or are delaying or avoiding repairs
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  The CIAA has no enforcement power to compel manufacturers or dealers to rectify faults or provide compensation

We believe that voluntary codes of practice are no longer sufficient.

When things go wrong, consumers are left to fend for themselves. The common advice is to contact their state’s Department of Fair Trading, but these departments have limited authority to enforce action against caravan builders or sellers. Many consumers report being bounced between manufacturers and dealers with no resolution, leaving them financially and emotionally drained.

To seek justice, consumers are often forced to escalate their case to a Civil and Administrative Tribunal, such as NCAT in NSW or VCAT in Victoria. This process is time-consuming, confusing, and expensive. It frequently involves:

• Paying tribunal application fees
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  Engaging legal representation at their own cost
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  Facing manufacturers with far more legal and financial resources

This is unacceptable in an industry dealing with high-value goods and essential consumer protections.

We are calling for:

• A dedicated national regulatory body to oversee the caravan and RV industry

• Mandatory standards for caravan manufacturing, including quality control and compliance with Australian safety regulations

• Clear accountability for manufacturers and dealers regarding warranty obligations and after-sales service
• A formal consumer complaint and resolution process, with authority to investigate and enforce corrective actions
• Public reporting and transparency, including a rating or accreditation system for manufacturers and dealers

Australians deserve protection when making significant financial investments in products meant to support travel, lifestyle, and in many cases, retirement. It’s time to hold the industry to account.

We urge the government to act now to protect consumers and restore trust in the caravan and RV market.