The leading news platform for Australia’s HVAC&R industry

Marie Karekla named among leading women in HVAC&R
AIRAH Head of Conferences, Events and Business Development Marie Karekla has been named in the Climate Control News Top 20 Women in HVACR.
News
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Change of leadership at AMCA
The Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association of Australia (AMCA Australia) has announced a leadership transition, with Ben Hawkins appointed CEO.
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Marie Karekla named among leading women in HVAC&R
AIRAH Head of Conferences, Events and Business Development Marie Karekla has been named in the Climate Control News Top 20 Women in HVACR.
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Update coming for Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide
A project is underway to revise the Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide, a vital reference to educate and safeguard workers and end-users.
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Report reveals pathway for built environment decarbonisation
A new report has found that aligning with Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target could result in a 93% reduction in built environment emissions from 2025 levels.
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Researchers develop cardboard-based rammed earth
Engineers at RMIT have created “cardboard-confined rammed earth”, a construction material composed entirely of cardboard, water and soil.
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Report highlights trends in construction worker suicide rates
Construction workers remain at higher risk of suicide than other Australians, but new research shows the gap is closing.
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20 more apprentices complete Kirby CO₂ training
The Kirby Apprentice Fund has delivered the sixth round of its CO₂ Training Scholarship Program.
Events
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Safer shared air: Making the invisible visible
The Safer Air Project will host its second annual Parliament House event in Canberra on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
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AIRAH celebrates inaugural QLD awards
AIRAH’s 2025 QLD Member and Apprentice Awards were a huge success, honouring emerging talent and highlighting those who have given the most to the industry.
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IEA to host free solar hot water webinars
The International Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling Program is hosting two free solar heating webinars on October 29 and 30.
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AIRAH and FMA announce Reshaping Existing Buildings Conference
The inaugural iteration of Reshaping Existing Buildings will take place in Melbourne from June 3–4, 2026.
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Seeley to launch next-gen Climate Wizard with webinar
Australian air conditioning manufacturer Seeley International has announced the launch of its next-generation Climate Wizard: the CW-X & XR Series.
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Industry workshop to explore low-carbon construction
The Decarbonising the Building Industry (DBI) initiative has announced the second event in its Flinders University series in Adelaide.
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Highlights from AIRAH’s NSW/ACT night of nights
The first annual AIRAH NSW/ACT Member and Apprentice Awards took place in Sydney on Thursday, September 18.
Regulations
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Update coming for Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide
A project is underway to revise the Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide, a vital reference to educate and safeguard workers and end-users.
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Queensland introduces digital licenses
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has announced that it will start introducing digital licences, developed in partnership with the Queensland government as part of Queensland’s Digital Licence app.
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CBOS testing the waters for HVAC&R licensing
Tasmania’s Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) is running a survey seeking industry insight into the risks faced by HVAC&R trades and how regulatory oversight could help mitigate these risks.
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Climate report highlights need for urgent action
The federal government has released a first-of-its-kind report categorising and assessing Australia’s climate risks just days before it will announce updated 2035 emissions targets.
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ARC funds free RAC standards for licence holders
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has announced new funding to provide free access to curated standards for RAC technicians and businesses.
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Heat pump testing standard open for comment
Standards Australia is inviting public comments on important updates to the performance assessment standard for air source heat pump water heaters.
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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.
Features
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Springing towards a more sustainable future
AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH, reflects on the steps Australia can take to become healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient over the next five years.
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How Australia’s 2035 emissions target will affect HVAC&R
The federal government has released its 2035 emissions target, which it says is “ambitious, achievable, and in Australia’s national interests”.
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Radical refrigeration
Dave Peall, M.AIRAH, discusses his work on the “radical” idea of using water as a direct expansion refrigerant.
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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.
Business
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Fujitsu General announces name change
From January 1, 2026, Fujitsu General will trade under the name General Inc.
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Fujitsu General expands R32 ducted range
Fujitsu General has launched its large capacity R32 High Static Ducted series, completing the company’s R32 ducted family for the Australian market.
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Introducing students to a future in HVAC&R
Year 10 and 11 high school students have visited the Beijer Ref and Daikin premises as part of the “Discover HVAC&R” industry immersion day.
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Seeley to launch next-gen Climate Wizard with webinar
Australian air conditioning manufacturer Seeley International has announced the launch of its next-generation Climate Wizard: the CW-X & XR Series.
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Temperzone launches chilled water fan coil unit ranges
Temperzone has released the Evolve IMD-Y standard compact profile range and the Evolve IMDL-Y low-profile range of chilled water fan coil units in Australia.
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FeroTech announces partnership with Honeywell
Sydney-based BMS and electrical services company FeroTech Controls and Electrical has partnered with Honeywell.
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MHIAA launches R32-powered VRF system
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has announced the launch of the KXZ3 series VRF system.