The leading news platform for Australia’s HVAC&R industry
Federal government releases data centre expectations
The Australian government has announced five key “expectations” for data centres, which it says will ensure their development aligns with Australia’s national interests.
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News
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Federal government releases data centre expectations
The Australian government has announced five key “expectations” for data centres, which it says will ensure their development aligns with Australia’s national interests.
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GBCA unveils built environment nature roadmap
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released a new nature roadmap for the built environment.
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Call for consistency in licensing and registration
The National Competition Council is reviewing Australia’s mutual recognition schemes, including both registration of engineers and licensing of trades.
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Report finds high risk of heat stress among lower-income Australians
Sweltering Cities has today released the findings of its 2026 Summer Survey, which it says exposes a national health crisis driven by the rising cost of keeping cool.
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Remembering Sean McGowan, the contributing writer whose voice shaped our industry
It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we share the sad news that long-time AIRAH contributing writer Sean McGowan passed away last weekend.
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A2EP launches free online decarbonisation tool
The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has developed the Renewable Heat Selection Tool to help accelerate the transition from fossil gas to renewable heat.
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Camfil releases IAQ film with WHO and the BBC
Camfil has released a new short film about indoor air quality in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions.
Events
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Workshop: lowering heating hot water temperatures in electrification retrofits
One of the major technical considerations for building owners and facilities managers relating to electrification retrofits is the performance of electric heat pump systems compared to traditional gas boilers.
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IIAR announces dates for online refrigeration workshop
The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration (IIAR) has announced the dates for the 59th offering of the Industrial Refrigeration Workshop.
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IWBI announces program for sustainability conference
The International Well Building Institute (IWBI) will hold its WELL 2026 Social Sustainability Summit in Singapore on Wednesday, April 15.
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Tickets on sale for automotive AC conference
Tickets are now on sale for Wire & Gas 2026, with a three-day program of training, networking and industry updates at The Westin Brisbane from 31 July to 2 August.
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The path ahead for the VEU – industry webinars
Solar Victoria is running a series of industry webinars to provide an update on the VEU strategic review, including reporting key findings and laying out next steps.
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Additional keynote announced for HVAC26
AIRAH has announced another keynote for the 2026 HVAC Innovation Conference, which will take place in Sydney from March 16–17.
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PSO to host focus groups at AIRAH Hobart Industry Night
Powering Skills Organisation (PSO) will be attending the upcoming AIRAH Hobart Industry Night to facilitate dedicated focus group sessions with employers and apprentices from the HVAC&R sector.
Regulations
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Review of incentives for commercial debarbonisation
Changes are coming to the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, with a new industrial heat decarbonisation activity presented for public feedback, and updates confirmed for commercial and industrial hot water heat pump incentives.
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Call for consistency in licensing and registration
The National Competition Council is reviewing Australia’s mutual recognition schemes, including both registration of engineers and licensing of trades.
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HIA calls for ‘knock-down rebuild’ of NCC
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has lodged a major submission calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the National Construction Code (NCC).
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VEU signals changes for commercial and industrial heat pump incentives
Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has announced potential revisions to the commercial and industrial heat pump activity available under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
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New fire safety maintenance regs in NSW
Changes to fire safety maintenance requirements are now in effect for New South Wales, with important implications for HVAC&R practitioners.
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NCC 2025 comes into focus
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has published the NCC 2025 preview, providing early access to the next edition ahead of its May 1 publication date.
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The quest for a better NCC
The Commonwealth government is seeking views on how Australia’s National Construction Code can be improved.
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Features
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Prioritising people in HVAC design
ASHRAE Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer Robert Bean recently visited Australia. HVAC&R News spoke with him about his occupant-first philosophies that have sparked an entirely different way of thinking about HVAC design.
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Total control: where instrumentation and control meets HVAC&R
We examine the important role instrumentation and control technicians – or “instros” for short – play in optimising HVAC&R systems.
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New studies explore causes and consequences of TFA accumulation
Research continues into increased levels of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the environment, with refrigerants found to be a dominant source.
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Report forecasts skyrocketing energy use in Australian data centres
A report authored by Baringa and commissioned by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has found that data centres could use as much as 11% of Australia’s energy by 2035.
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Connection point: how Industry Nights helped this company grow
As AIRAH’s Industry Nights expand to 13 locations in 2026, we speak to a regular exhibitor about what they’ve gained from these events.
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Digitising HVAC&R workflows: What SMEs should be prioritising in 2026
Lara Blake from Tenderfy looks at the key technological trends that will shape the Australian HVAC&R industry this year.
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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.
Business
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Automatic Heating celebrates 100 years in business
This year, Automatic Heating has notched a century not out, despite world events, economic crises and seismic shifts in markets, technology and regulations.
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Packed to the rafters
Trade tools developer Milwaukee has produced a storage solution for outfitting vans called the Packout Rack Kit.
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Refra releases Oasis range of R290 water-to-water heat pumps and chillers
Refra has introduced its new OASIS standard line of water-to-water chillers and heat pumps using propane as a refrigerant.
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A2EP opens registration for 2026 Renewable Heat Conference
The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) is accepting registrations for the 2026 Australasian Renewable Heat Conference, which will take place in Melbourne from September 2–3.
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Midea opens new Australian showroom
Air conditioner and home appliance manufacturer Midea has opened its first dedicated HVAC showroom and experience centre in Australia.
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Reliable Controls marks 40-year milestone
Canada-based global building automation company Reliable Controls is celebrating 40 years in business.
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Conex Banninger and Reese launch enhanced fitting range
Conex Banninger, in partnership with Reece, has launched >B<Press 360° Detect – an evolution of the standard >B<Press fitting range, engineered with an improved leak-path design.