What Is Apple’s Right To Repair Program In Australia?

Apple has now given you the right to repair your own iPhone or others. How this is possible? Well, Apple lately announced that it would expand its “Independent Repair Provider” (IRP) program to a further 200 countries, including Australia, giving you another option to repair your iPhone or Mac computer. The program was first launched in the US in 2019 and expanded to the European Union and Canada last year.

What Is Apple’s Right To Repair Program In Australia?

The Independent Repair Provider program from Apple is designed for companies interested in offering out-of-warranty repair service for iPhone and Mac. Qualifying companies can gain access to Apple genuine parts, tools, training, service guides, diagnostics and resources to perform a variety of out-of-warranty repairs for iPhone and Mac, such as iPhone display and battery replacements, and Mac logic board and video card replacements.

Who can apply for the right to repair program in Australia?

Apple announced that companies interested in performing out-of-warranty iPhone or Mac repairs directly to end users may apply. Apple will not consider applicants that use Apple trademark terms as part of any company name or web pages unless such use complies with the Apple Trademark Terms.

Parts resellers and distributors are not eligible for this program. Authorized Apple Resellers are not eligible for this program but may apply to the Apple Authorized Service Provider program.

What are the requirements to enroll in the right to repair program in Australia?

Companies applying are required to be an established business, with business verification documents available for review by Apple. Apple’s repair tools, training, service guides, and diagnostics must be kept confidential.

Also  eligible companies must maintain a commercial walk-in service location or premises in an easily accessible location. A residential address is not acceptable as a service location.

You should or your company should have certified technicians to repair the iPhones. Participating service companies using Apple genuine parts are required to have Apple-certified technicians perform the repairs.

Becoming certified to repair Apple products requires passing exams through an online Authorized Testing Center. Certifications are updated on a per product basis annually. The certification exam fees are waived for businesses that have been approved to be an Independent Repair Provider.

To Apply you need to submit an email with a completed Independent Repair Provider Notification of Interest form to IRPapplicant@apple.com. You will be asked to provide relevant information about your business so that Apple can determine whether your organization is eligible for the Independent Repair Provider program.

You need to note that:

• Apple will not consider applications that do not meet the program requirements. 
• Meeting program requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
• Apple reserves the right to reject any application without comment.
• Apple will not consider applicants that use Apple trademark terms as part of any company name or web pages unless such use complies with the Apple Trademark Terms.

Right To Repair Program- Australian Views

Under the scheme, Apple will provide businesses with training, genuine parts, tools, and manuals so customers can get their devices repaired without the risk of having parts replaced with cheap counterfeits.

According to the ACT Minister for Consumer Affairs, Shane Rattenbury,who welcomed the program’s expansion into Australia remained wary that it was still an “Apple-controlled repair regime”.

“This is an improvement on the previous situation, where consumers were locked out of repairing their products because manufacturers don’t allow third parties to repair them,” Rattenbury said in a statement.

“The ability for local businesses to get access to parts directly from the manufacturer is a win for the ‘right to repair’ movement and the ACT’s goals for sustainability.

“This will allow these small businesses to begin to break into a market previously dominated by bigger companies and provide greater consumer choice.”

Since late last year, the Productivity Commission has been exploring how to give consumers more choice when it comes to either repairing their own broken goods or finding a decent repairer.

Among its concerns is the environmental impact of e-waste dumped by Australian households.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country generated 539,000 tonnes of e-waste in the 2018-19 financial year, half of which was recycled.

In its submission to the inquiry, the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WARR) said more pressure should be put on the creators of products to “better lengthen the lifespan of products and better manage end-of-life”.

“At present, we know that one of the key challenges to achieving a circular economy is poor product design that leads to the loss of source material, does not require emphasis to be placed on re-use or repair, and continues to use composite or problematic material for obsolescence rather than for repair, reuse, disassembling and recycling,” WARR said.

It wants to see EU-style regulation mandating manufacturers provide spare parts and manuals for products, along with tax incentives for repairs that further encourages repair schemes.

In its submission to the inquiry, ACS said an Australian Right to Repair ought to include not just physical repairs but also the ability for consumers to alter embedded software on devices and cloud-based services.

“Regardless of whether a product was designed to become obsolete or has been superseded by technological changes or advances, the need to update software is essential on smart devices to address security weaknesses and changing operational needs,” ACS said.

“The inability to update, or patch, software due to vendor restrictions can pose threats to household and industrial users due to the risks posed by potential security weaknesses.”

Learn here more about AppleCare service certifications for technicians.

Programs on Services and Repairs Australia by Apple

The following programs are available for companies and organizations interested in performing service and repairs on Apple products.

• Apple Authorized Service Provider: The Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) program is designed for companies interested in offering in-warranty and out-of-warranty repair service for any Apple product.
• Limited Service Provider: Limited Service Providers are Apple Authorized Service Providers who wish to provide service to specific customers or for specific Apple products.
• Self-Servicing Account: Apple’s Self-Servicing Account (SSA) program is for institutions and businesses that would like to repair only the products they own or lease.
• Independent Repair Provider: The Independent Repair Provider program is designed for companies interested in offering out-of-warranty repairs for iPhone and Mac.