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How to become a air conditioning and refrigeration technician in Australia

These technicians install, service and repair air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

The work

What the job involves

  • Install split, ducted and commercial systems
  • Diagnose faults and replace components
  • Recover, charge and test refrigerant
  • Service commercial refrigeration plant

Where the work happens

Homes, commercial buildings and plant rooms, frequently on rooftops and in confined plant spaces.

Licensing and registration

Work involving refrigerant handling requires a licence issued through the Australian Refrigeration Council. Electrical work carried out as part of the role is separately licensed by the electrical safety regulator in each state.

Typical qualification pathway

The qualification usually used to enter this work

  • The usual entry qualification is Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (UEE32225), a nationally recognised qualification on the national register. The registered training organisations approved to deliver and issue it are listed on training.gov.au.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10

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