A federal parliamentary committee has recommended that the Australian Government review how replacement tyres are regulated, after hearing concerns about cheap, short-lived imported tyres. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science made the call in its report on the Australian tyre industry, titled When the rubber hits the road, which was tabled in Parliament on 15 October 2026.
It is important to be clear about what this is. The report makes recommendations only. No tyres have been banned, no new standard is in force and the government has not yet published a response. Nothing changes for drivers buying tyres today.
The gap the committee wants closed
The tyres fitted to a new car when it is first supplied have to meet the Australian Design Rules, the national standards for vehicle safety and emissions. Replacement tyres, the ones you buy at a tyre shop years later, are not subject to those rules. The committee agreed with evidence from Tyre Stewardship Australia that the current rules are insufficient because they apply to vehicle imports and not to replacement tyres.
Recommendation 3 of the report asks the government to review the regulatory framework for replacement tyres. That review should work out the most appropriate way to set and enforce design, performance and sustainability standards, consider adopting contemporary international standards where appropriate, and look at ways to improve durability, retreadability, repairability and resource efficiency.
In other words, the committee is not proposing a specific standard yet. It wants the government to work out what one should look like and how it would be enforced.
Why cheap tyres came up
Submissions to the inquiry repeatedly raised the growing volume of low-cost, poor-quality imported tyres. Businesses in retreading and recycling argued that short-life tyres wear out sooner, create more waste and undercut local retreading. One submission warned that loose replacement tyres fall outside the quality controls applied to tyres fitted to new vehicles.
The committee also accepted that cheaper tyres are a practical and affordable option for many households, especially with ongoing cost-of-living pressure. It said consumer safety should remain the main consideration, while preserving competition and consumer choice. That balance matters, because a tougher standard could remove some of the cheapest tyres from sale if it is ever adopted.
The other recommendations at a glance
The report makes 12 recommendations in total, and most deal with what happens to tyres at the end of their life rather than what drivers buy.
| Area | What the committee recommends |
|---|---|
| End-of-life tyres | A nationally harmonised framework with consistent definitions, storage, transport and disposal rules across states and territories. |
| Mining tyres | A national approach for large off-the-road tyres, including a staged reduction in onsite burial over the next five years. |
| Replacement tyres | A government review of regulation and standards, as covered above. |
| Exports and stewardship | Stronger enforcement of waste tyre export rules and changes to how the national tyre stewardship scheme is run and audited. |
| Recycled tyre markets | Measures to support uses such as crumb rubber in roads, plus retreading, procurement and research. |
What it means for drivers right now
Until the government responds and acts, the practical advice is unchanged. When you replace tyres, keep these checks in mind.
- Match the placard. Your car's tyre placard lists the minimum load index and speed rating. Replacements should meet or exceed both.
- Check how old the tyre is. The four-digit date code on the sidewall shows the week and year of manufacture. Avoid tyres that have sat in storage for years.
- Price per kilometre, not per tyre. A cheaper tyre that wears out much sooner can cost more over time. Ask about the expected tread life and any mileage warranty.
- Keep up with rotations and pressures. Correct pressures and regular rotations extend the life of any tyre.
Tyres are one of the running costs many owners underestimate. Our guides to the hidden costs of owning a car and car service costs in Australia cover what to budget for.
What happens next
The government is expected to table a formal response to the committee's recommendations. It can accept, partly accept or reject each one, and no timeline for a response has been announced. Any new standard for replacement tyres would need further consultation before it could take effect.
Sources
Parliament of Australia, House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science, When the rubber hits the road report and recommendations, checked 2 November 2026.