The Grey Nomads Forum

ANU - Caravan Research Project

Hi 'Vanners

The Australian National University, ANU College of Law is conducting research to identify whether the Australian consumer law and the

Australian vehicle standards are ineffective in ensuring that only caravans that are fit for purpose are used on Australian roads.

The project is reviewing relevant law applicable to the design and sale of caravans including the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cth), the

Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019 (Cth) and Vehicle Standards Bulletin VSB1 Building Small Trailers National Code of Practice. Other

relevant law will be the Australian Consumer Law (or ACL). The ACL is set out in Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).

It is complemented by state and territory laws to ensure that all manner of consumer transactions are covered.

We are conducting a survey that is looking for details of the consumer experience in obtaining remedies for defects in caravan manufacturer.

We are interested in finding out about your experience with defects that render the vehicle unsafe to tow. This research is not looking at what

we call defects of convenience e.g. faults in design that affect whether the caravan is waterproof, or various fixtures an fittings work. Whilst no

doubt inconvenient, disappointing and expensive to repair, these do not go to the safety of the vehicle. Within scope will be defects in gas

and/or electrical installation as these must be certified as safe as part of the registration process and go to the question of whether the van is

safe and fit for purpose.

If you have relevant experience with defects and with trying to get those remedies corrected we invite you to complete this survey. The survey

involves 21 questions that mostly ask you to select from various options and, in some cases, to add any comments you would like to make.

We anticipate that taking the survey will take no more than 20 minutes. Completion of the survey is voluntary and anonymous. You are

asked to identify your gender, age range and state or territory of residence but there is no further identifying information requested. Your

consent to taking part in this survey will be implied by your decision to complete the survey and submit your answers. Once your answers

have been submitted we will not be able to identify them so you will not be able to withdraw your answers or your consent once you have

submitted the completed survey.

The results of the survey will be used to compare the lived experience of obtaining repairs and remedies against the stated aims of the

Australian Consumer Law. The results will form the basis of recommendations to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and

the Federal Government for changes to the ACL and remedies. Apart from reports to government the results of the study will be used by the

principal researcher to complete a paper in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Juris Doctor at the Australian National

University. It is also anticipated that the research will be used by the supervisor and the principle researcher to prepare a journal article for

publication in an appropriate refereed academic journal.

For more details on the study and how the results will be stored and used, read the Information Sheet for Participants here:

If you are ready to complete the survey, follow this link to the Caravan consumer satisfaction survey:

Contact for more information:

Dr Michael Eburn

Associate Professor

School of Legal Practice

ANU College of Law

T +61 2 6125 6424

M 0409 727 054