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Tag: ARC
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Short course trainer loses RTO status
Training group Construction Industry Training Australia (CITA) has had its RTO status cancelled for short course advertising and poor recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessments by training industry regulator Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) originally reported CITA to ASQA for advertising unduly brief short courses, and also for concerns regarding […]
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HVAC&R cleared to work through new restrictions
For the past week the HVAC&R and wider building industry has been scrambling to assess the impacts that stricter COVID-19 restrictions will have on businesses and employees. On August 2, the Victorian government declared a state of disaster and imposed new Stage 4 lockdown measures. Rules around workplaces, which extend to construction sites, were further […]
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Grosvenor launches natural refrigerant service
Technical services company Grosvenor Engineering Group has introduced a dedicated natural refrigerant technology service for HVAC&R systems. Through the service, the company hopes to help the Australian commercial office market reduce its carbon footprint by providing a green alternative. “The opportunity for the use of natural refrigerants is broad within the commercial market,” says Grosvenor […]
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Opinion: Mario Balen on national licensing
HyChill General Manager Mario Balen, Affil.AIRAH, shares his views on national HVAC&R licensing in Australia. The HVAC&R trade is widely regarded to be under-recognised, poorly regulated and, on average, inadequately trained. Attempts have been made for many years to address some, if not all, of those shortcomings, with little success so far. The end result […]
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Government extends asset write-off scheme
The government has extended the instant asset write-off scheme until December 31, 2020, a move that has been applauded by The Australian Refrigeration Association (ARC). The ARC says that giving businesses six more months to immediately claim on purchases up to $150,000 represents a win for refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) contractors. The instant asset […]
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AC importer fined for R22 infringements
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has fined a Victorian-based importer and manufacturer of air conditioning equipment $12,600 for importing bulk hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) without a controlled substances licence. Importing HCFC without a licence is an offence under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, which is in place to protect […]
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Licensing survey results now online
Earlier this year, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) ran an online survey to collect input on its position statement for HVAC&R licensing in Australia. The position statement, developed by AIRAH’s Refrigeration Special Technical Group, will define the Institute’s stance on HVAC&R licensing in Australia, and will serve as an advocacy tool for […]
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Apprentices hammered by COVID-19 crisis
Industry is calling for urgent government measures as Australian apprentice numbers plummet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Australian Apprenticeship Association (NAAA), about 5.5 per cent of apprentices and trainees have been suspended or cancelled since March 1. National employer association the Ai Group says that apprentice commencements are down 60 per […]
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RAC apprentices on hold for driving licences
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is calling for refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices to be prioritised among those waiting for driver licence tests. In Victoria, COVID-19 restrictions have led to the suspension of driver’s licence testing in Victoria, resulting in a backlog of almost 30,000 applicants. This includes refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) trade apprentices, […]
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Queensland to review licence regulations
The Queensland government has confirmed it will work to address a loophole in its new licensing framework for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. At the beginning of 2020, a new HVAC&R licensing framework was introduced in Queensland. Workers now require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence for mechanical services work. This includes air […]
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ARC adjusts services for COVID-19
In response to the coronavirus situation, the ARC has put in place measures to keep the RAC industry permit scheme operating on a “business as usual” basis, with only minimal changes. Face-to-face permit condition checks (audits) will be replaced by electronic checks via email. For lodging and assessing online renewals, however, it will be business […]
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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 […]
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RAC course shut down
Trades College Australia in Punchbowl, Sydney, has lost its RTO status for issues related to the delivery of recognition of prior learning (RPL) for refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) courses. The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) worked with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the training industry regulator, on the case. ASQA took action against Trades […]
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Crackdown on refrigerant offences
The Department of the Environment and Energy has issued a number of fines for offences under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. A New South Wales-based refrigeration mechanic has been fined $2,520 for discharging R410A while installing an air conditioning system. According to the Department, the offender holds a permit issued […]
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ARC visits regional permit holders
In the past six months, engagement officers from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) have visited regional and remote locations to perform permit holder and education visits. Visits were made to Darwin and surrounding areas (81 visits); to Toowoomba and surrounding areas in Queensland (71 visits); to Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas in New South Wales […]
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Plumbers bid to take over RAC?
The Victorian government is currently considering a proposal for mechanical services plumbers to install and service multi-head air conditioning systems. Last year, the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP) reviewed and revised regulations on plumbing work. Following the review, a series of projects were established to further examine different aspects of the regulations. […]
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What’s on: World Refrigeration Day
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has set up a special webpage listing activities taking place for World Refrigeration Day. The inaugural World Refrigeration Day is on June 26. It aims to raise awareness of the HVAC&R sector and the vital role it plays in modern life and society. “Refrigeration, air conditioning, […]
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ARC promotes fully licensed fridgies
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has released a video designed to educate consumers. The video explains the different licence types, and encourages consumers to find and use fully licensed air conditioning technicians. Running as part of the ARC’s summer campaign, the video seeks to raise awareness that fully licensed (or Certificate III) technicians are qualified […]
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Michael Bennett becomes new ARC chair
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has appointed Michael Bennett as its new chairman. He replaces outgoing chairman Kevin O’Shea, who stepped down from the role after reaching the term limit under the ARC’s constitution. Bennett is moving from his long-held role as General Manager at Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA). Since RRA’s commencement in 1993, he […]
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ARC re-awarded contract for licensing scheme
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has been re-awarded the contract for administration of the national refrigeration and air conditioning licence scheme, for up to nine years. The ARC has administered the scheme since its inception in 2005. It is the body responsible for granting refrigerant handling licences (RHL) and refrigerant trading authorisations (RTA). These are […]