A Critique: Australia's Repair Summit Exposes that the Right to Repair is an Elusive Gig

Australia’s 2025 Repair Summit set out to champion the right to repair, but much of the day revealed just how slippery real progress still is. We recently joined politicians, academics, farmers, repair advocates and other community groups to talk productivity, competition, and waste reduction at the Summit.

Panels dug into stalled policies like the long-forgotten e-waste scheme review, while long-time repair advocates like Mend It, Australia highlighted the frustrating disconnect between government enthusiasm and the realities on the ground.

What did shine through was the power of community repair and the growing appetite for practical solutions. Stories from local councils, repair cafés, and citizen-led e-waste studies showed that huge amounts of discarded electronics still work, offering a ripe opportunity for funded pilots similar to the UK’s Fixing Factories.

Research presented at the summit underscored that Australians want clearer information, stronger repair rights, and smarter incentives—like rebates and tax breaks—to make repair mainstream. Despite the policy gaps and red tape, the vibe at the end was hopeful, with many calling it the best summit yet and eager to return next year.

Read the full recap