Licensing changes to focus on compliance

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) have finalised a new contract that introduces activities aimed at strengthening the ARCtick licensing scheme.

The major changes will focus on compliance and getting more “boots on the ground” to visit Refrigerant Trading Authorisation (RTA) licence holders. There will also be a push to engage more closely with all licence holders, including new entrants to the industry, and resources will be allocated to strengthen the training system for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians.

The moves reflect concerns raised by industry groups to government around non-compliance and the need for better communication in the sector.

Important changes to the scheme include:

• Increasing compliance activities to visit more RTA licence-holders by mid-November 2025
• Ensuring all new RTA holders get an education visit in their first 12 months
• Increasing industry participation by engaging with more potential licence-holders
• Inducting graduates into the scheme by providing them with information packs
• Working with the Jobs and Skills Councils to help improve training packages
• Dealing with non-compliance more rigorously, including clear triggers for when more serious issues will be referred to the Department for a formal compliance investigation
• Putting in place industry awards that celebrate great environmental stewards, beginning with the ARCtick Environment Award, to be awarded in both mobile and RAC categories at ARBS 2024 in May.

ARC Outreach Engagement Manager Greg Watts has welcomed the opportunity to support the HVAC&R sector and help the industry do the right thing by complying with the scheme.

“Our job is to make licence-holders’ lives easier and help them meet their compliance obligations,” Watts says. “If you need help on how to be compliant, refer to the ARC website or just call or email ARC.”