The leading news platform for Australia’s HVAC&R industry
Keeping it local: HVAC&R manufacturing in Australia
Despite the challenges facing Australian manufacturing, HVAC&R businesses are increasingly looking to build their capacity locally.
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News
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Summer issues of AIRAH publications out now
AIRAH is ushering in the new year with bumper issues of both of the Institute’s regular publications.
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Evans leaves ARC after nearly two decades
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has announced the departure of Chief Executive Officer Glenn Evans.
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ARC announces 2026 licensing fees
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has unveiled its latest licensing fees, which are indexed annually in line with the Wage Price Index (WPI).
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ARC unveils streamlined reporting tool
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has launched a new “report a breach” form on the ARCtick website.
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Aiming high for cooling tower efficiency
AIRAH, with support of the ARBS Foundation, has published an updated version of DA17: Cooling Towers.
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RAC teaching team recognised at RMIT Awards
Two refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) instructors have been recognised at RMIT’s 2025 Awards for Excellence ceremony.
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Changing of the guard for AIRAH advertising
After nearly a decade with the Institute, AIRAH Advertising Executive John McGrath will retire at the end of 2025.
Events
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2025 AIRAH National Awards: Bryon Price, L.AIRAH, awarded the James Harrison Medal
Bryon Price, L.AIRAH, has been awarded the James Harrison Medal at the 2025 AIRAH National Awards in recognition of his outstanding lifetime contribution to the HVAC&R profession and to the Institute.
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2025 AIRAH National Awards: Stefan Jensen, L.AIRAH, wins WR Ahern Award
Stefan Jensen, L.AIRAH, has been recognised with the WR Ahern Award at the 2025 AIRAH National Awards for his outstanding technical contribution to the HVAC&R industry through published research.
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2025 AIRAH National Awards: Brett Fairweather, F.AIRAH, wins Excellence in Knowledge Building
Brett Fairweather, F.AIRAH, has been recognised with the Excellence in Knowledge Building award at the 2025 AIRAH National Awards for his outstanding contribution to training, education and professional development across the HVAC&R industry.
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2025 AIRAH National Awards: Rising Stars of the HVAC&R Industry
AIRAH’s Rising Stars brings together three award streams that recognise emerging leaders and high-performing students who are contributing to the future of Australia’s HVAC&R industry. While awarded separately, these categories collectively highlight the next generation of industry talent.
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2025 AIRAH National Awards: Women’s Working Group – Airmaster wins Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion
Airmaster’s Women’s Working Group has been recognised with the Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion award at the 2025 AIRAH National Awards.
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2025 AIRAH National Awards: Inderpal Saund, Beijer Ref Academy, wins Excellence in Training
Inderpal Saund has been recognised for his leadership in natural refrigeration technology and his commitment to industry-wide training through his role as head instructor at the Beijer Ref Academy in Sydney.
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2025 AIRAH National Awards: Louvreclad wins Excellence in Innovation – Best New Product
Louvreclad has been recognised for its Aerion Series of vertical performance louvres, an Australian-engineered product that sets a new benchmark in aerodynamic and weather performance for architectural façades.
Regulations
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NABERS Energy update – have your say
NABERS is seeking feedback on a proposed NABERS Energy update for 2030 that will affect how energy efficiency in buildings is measured.
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Built environment leaders bring sustainable thinking to Parliament House
AIRAH’s Nick Johns-Wickberg shares his experience of attending last week’s ASBEC council meeting in Canberra.
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NCC 2025 slated for publication in early 2026
Commonwealth, state and territory building ministers met yesterday to agree on the timing of future updates to the National Construction Code – including NCC 2025.
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GBCA launches updated Green Star tool
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released its Green Star Buildings v1.1 rating tool, which strengthens action on carbon, nature and circular economy while simplifying delivery for project teams.
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CBD Program roadmap offers clear pathway to reducing emissions
The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has released a policy roadmap describing how the Commercial Buildings Disclosure (CBD) Program will be expanded over the next decade to deliver major reductions in emissions.
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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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Features
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Fighting the hidden killer
With Standards Australia recently adopting a mould remediation standard, we look at how this hidden killer can harm both building occupants and HVAC&R technicians.
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How a cup of tea on Mount Everest can help explain cooling
Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH, urges us to rethink how we explain cooling to those without a technical background.
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Keeping it local: HVAC&R manufacturing in Australia
Despite the challenges facing Australian manufacturing, HVAC&R businesses are increasingly looking to build their capacity locally.
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Built environment leaders bring sustainable thinking to Parliament House
AIRAH’s Nick Johns-Wickberg shares his experience of attending last week’s ASBEC council meeting in Canberra.
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The importance of vapour barriers in refrigeration
Bob Jackson, M.AIRAH, explains the importance of hermetically sealing the outer skin of cold rooms to create a vapour barrier.
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The living machine: How HVAC systems mimic the human body
In the cover feature for the October–November 2025 issue of HVAC&R News, Gary Raman, Affil.AIRAH, argues that the human body is the most advanced HVAC system on the planet.
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Building diversity in HVAC&R: Q&A with Ree McCaig
We speak with Ree (Maria) McCaig – owner of McCaig Air Conditioning in Bendigo – about the challenges of running a business, the rewards of training apprentices, and strategies for attracting more women to HVAC&R.
Business
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Daikin opens new Australian manufacturing facility
Daikin has unveiled a new $28.6 million dollar factory adjacent to its existing facility.
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Refrigerant Handling Codes of Practice now available digitally
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has announced that the 2025 editions of the stationary Australia and New Zealand Refrigerant Handling Codes of Practice are now fully digital.
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Registrations open for ARBS 2026
Registration has opened for ARBS 2026, which will take place in Melbourne from May 5–7.
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Fujitsu General extends partnership with Essendon FC
Fujitsu General Australia will continue its 12-year association with the Essendon Football Club, taking on the role of co-major partner within the EFC network.
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Panasonic releases splittable R32 ducted system
Panasonic Australia has launched its new R32 Inverter NX Series Splittable Ducted Air Conditioning System.
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CAREL to host HVAC&R software webinar
CAREL’s upcoming webinar will introduce STone Virtual Loop, a digital tool that allows developers to test and validate HVAC&R software in a virtual environment.
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Daikin releases new 18 and 20kW R32 inverter ducted systems
Daikin Australia has introduced its new 18 & 20kW R32 Premium Inverter Ducted Systems (FDYA180AV1 & FDYA200AV1.