The leading news platform for Australia’s HVAC&R industry
Global experts unite at Building Simulation 2025
The 2025 Building Simulation Conference – co-hosted by IBPSA Australasia and AIRAH – brought the world’s brightest minds in the built environment to Brisbane for a week of vital, future-focused discussions.
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News
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NCC pause not as disruptive as first feared
The federal government has announced a pause on updates to the National Construction Code, but only after NCC 2025 is finalised.
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ASHRAE publishes 2025 fundamentals handbook
The 2025 ASHRAE Handbook – Fundamentals is now available for purchase from the ASHRAE website.
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Second round of Kirby CO₂ training set for September
The 2025 Kirby Apprentice Fund CO₂ Training Scholarship Program will take place from September 23–25 at the Beijer Ref premises in Bankstown, NSW.
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Business coalition calls for 75% emissions reduction by 2035
With the federal government looking to set Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target ahead of COP30 in November, the Business for 75% movement is calling for decisive action.
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New scope for AIRAH’s Healthcare and Controlled Environment STG
Co-Chair of AIRAH’s Healthcare and Controlled Environment Special Technical Group (STG) William Garbett, Affil.AIRAH, welcomes the STG’s new remit.
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Report highlights hidden impacts of HFOs
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released a report that explores the upstream and downstream impacts of HFOs, the latest generation of fluorinated refrigerants.
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Low-cost pre-approved housing designs available in NSW
The NSW government’s planning department has released a selection of pre-approved housing designs, each available for $1.
Events
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Global experts unite at Building Simulation 2025
The 2025 Building Simulation Conference – co-hosted by IBPSA Australasia and AIRAH – brought the world’s brightest minds in the built environment to Brisbane for a week of vital, future-focused discussions.
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STC to host Say Yes To The Trades event
Superior Training Centre (STC) – in collaboration with the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce – will host a trades event for high schoolers on Wednesday, August 27.
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All you need to know about the Intelligent Building Workshop
AIRAH and CSIRO are co-hosting IBW25 in collaboration with CIBSE and Arup on Thursday, August 28 in Sydney.
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Design competition seeks net zero heroes
Design Matters has launched the 2026 version of the True Zero Carbon Challenge, billed as Australia’s most comprehensive challenge for creating carbon positive homes.
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Sydney to host WELL Flagship Summit
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is holding a Flagship Summit in Sydney on August 20.
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Melbourne to host World Sustainable Built Environment Conference
Melbourne is set to host the 2026 iteration of the prestigious World Sustainable Built Environment Conference (WSBE) – one of the longest-running global scientific and technical conference series for sustainable development in the built environment.
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Program announced for Building Simulation 2025
The full program for the 2025 Building Simulation Conference – which will take place in Brisbane from August 24–27 – is now available.
Regulations
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NCC pause not as disruptive as first feared
The federal government has announced a pause on updates to the National Construction Code, but only after NCC 2025 is finalised.
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Business coalition calls for 75% emissions reduction by 2035
With the federal government looking to set Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target ahead of COP30 in November, the Business for 75% movement is calling for decisive action.
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Updated trajectory identifies new challenges and opportunities
The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC) has agreed on an update to the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings.
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End-to-end review for Standards Australia
Standards Australia has announced a comprehensive, independent review of its standards development process, describing it as an opportunity to modernise and strengthen how standards work.
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Lukewarm on licensing, strong on free standards – PC releases interim report
After seeking comments on national occupational licensing and harmonisation of standards, the Productivity Commission (PC) has released its interim recommendations and is calling for further feedback.
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Commission to reveal priority productivity reforms
Since last year, the Productivity Commission has been consulting and developing a response to Australia’s slowing productivity – now it is ready to release its interim reports.
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Building commissioning standard open for comment
A new Australian Standard for building commissioning, AS 5342, is open for public comment.
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Features
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The case for modernising residential cooling expectations
Darren Bee calls for changes to the National Construction Code, including making multi-zoning cooling/heating systems compulsory in new builds.
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From fridgie to footy
Until May 27, 2025, Mani Liddy was a fridgie working for O’Connors in South Australia. The next day, he became an AFL footballer.
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Building confidence in performance prediction
Team Catalyst Director PC Thomas makes the case for an accreditation scheme for professionals working in building performance simulation.
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How HVAC&R SMEs can win government tenders
Lara Blake from Tenderfy looks at how HVAC&R SMEs can compete – and thrive – against large businesses when it comes to government tendering.
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The world gears up for Building Simulation 2025
A much-anticipated international event focusing on simulation and sustainability in the built environment is set to take place in Brisbane from August 24–27 – the Building Simulation Conference.
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Painting the plant room green
Refrigerants were in the spotlight at Green Building Day this year. AIRAH’s Advocacy and Policy Manager Mark Vender shares his perspective from the Melbourne event.
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Residential heating and cooling efficiency: Who should take charge?
AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH, reflects on residential energy efficiency and the important role HVAC can play.
Business
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Fujitsu General joins Paloma Rheem HD Group
Paloma Rheem HD Group – the parent company of global HVAC brand Rheem – has acquired Fujitsu General Limited through a public tender offer.
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Gas-sense detector launches on Australian market
Duct-mounted refrigeration gas sensor Gas-sense has been released to the Australian market.
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Carel reports 2025 growth figures
Carel has posted 9.4% revenue growth in the first half of 2025, driven by strong HVAC demand and regional recoveries in Europe, APAC, and North America.
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Exemplary Energy releases complete 34-year weather data
Exemplary Energy has published full 34-year weather records for 225 sites across Australia.
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Blauberg releases a new mixed flow inline and header box fan range
Blauberg Ventilation says its latest product release is designed with NCC compliance in mind.
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Australia’s cold storage vacancy hits 0.6%
New modelling shows pressures as obsolescence and rising demand widen the supply gap.
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Anthony Boyd appointed GBCA chair
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has announced a leadership transition, appointing Anthony Boyd as incoming chair.