ARC flags ‘sub-standard’ Queensland licence

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has called out Queensland for putting consumers at risk with a “sub-standard RAC licence”. The licence is part of the new mechanical services regulations that came into effect on January 1 this year.

“The major issue is that one of the qualifications required for the Queensland licence does not specify any refrigeration or air conditioning units,” says the ARC media release.

The qualification in question is the Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (MEM30219), which can be completed without doing any RAC-specific units/electives.

The ARC has called on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) to tighten the rules and align them with the qualification requirements of the ARCTick Full RAC licence.

“The Full ARCTick refrigeration and air conditioning licence does specify RAC units, and is the national licence, which many states already align with, supporting the way industry works while achieving environmental and consumer protection outcomes,” says the ARC’s media release.

“In essence, Queensland is promoting an RAC licence without RAC-specific competencies. Not only that, it will encourage illegal activity and sub-standard RAC work, jeopardising the safety of technicians and consumers.

“Thankfully an ARCTick licence is still required for RAC systems operating on fluorocarbon refrigerants, irrespective of whether the Queensland licence is obtained. ”