The leading news platform for Australia’s HVAC&R industry
Lidia Morawska receives recognition from PM
QUT Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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News
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Time to act to improve the air we share indoors
A new report from the Australian Academy of Science provides the latest scientific evidence and explores the policy pathways to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in Australia.
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GBCA and AIRAH call on industry to tackle refrigerants and future-proof buildings
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and AIRAH have joined forces to highlight the important role of refrigerants in reducing emissions and improving building performance with the release of a new discussion paper: Freeze Frame: Refrigerants as long-term building infrastructure.
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Lidia Morawska receives recognition from PM
QUT Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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ARC releases 2024–25 Permit Scheme Annual Report
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has published the 2024–25 Annual Report for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Permit Scheme.
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October–November 2025 issue of HVAC&R News now available in print
The latest issue of HVAC&R News has been printed and will be available for free from wholesalers and TAFEs around Australia.
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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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New campaign prioritises indoor air quality
Momentum is growing for the Safer Air Project’s Making the invisible visible campaign, in which organisations sign up to monitor and disclose information about their indoor air quality.
Events
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AIRAH recognises SA’s finest
AIRAH’s 2025 SA Member and Apprentice Awards was one of the biggest in the event’s 60-year history.
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VIC Member and Apprentice Awards go off with a bang
AIRAH has celebrated rising stars and industry legends at the inaugural VIC Member and Apprentice Awards.
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Huge turnout for inaugural Women in HVAC&R Summit
AIRAH held its first annual Women in HVAC&R Summit in Sydney on Friday.
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Rethinking refrigerants for a sustainable future
As refrigerants become a focus in the built environment, AIRAH’s NSW division organised a panel session to explore how we can transition to alternatives with lower environmental impact.
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AIRAH hosts biggest site visit ever
Yesterday’s site visit to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra was the biggest in the Institute’s history, with more than 90 attendees.
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New campaign prioritises indoor air quality
Momentum is growing for the Safer Air Project’s Making the invisible visible campaign, in which organisations sign up to monitor and disclose information about their indoor air quality.
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ASHRAE releases technical program for 2026 Winter Conference
ARHRAE has published the full technical program for its 2026 Winter Conference, which will take place from January 31 to February 4, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Regulations
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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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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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Features
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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.
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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.
Business
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RectorSeal acquires MARS Parts
HVAC&R and plumbing manufacturer RectorSeal has announced its acquisition of MARS Parts.
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Beijer Ref appoints new managing director
Beijer Ref Group Australia has announced the appointment of Jamie Brogan, Affil.AIRAH, as its new Managing Director, effective November 1, 2025.
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A.G. Coombs publishes 2025–26 edition of Building Efficiency magazine
A.G. Coombs has published the latest edition of its free e-magazine for staff, clients, and partners within the HVAC&R and building services industry.
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More seed funding for Conry Tech
Australian HVAC start-up Conry Tech has raised a further $3 million in seed funding, taking its total funding to $13 million.
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SuperCool releases new premium refrigerant hose
SuperCool Group has unveiled the Burgaflex MULTICOOL 6090 premium refrigerant hose, which it says delivers “strength and flexibility with zero compromise”.
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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.