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Tag: licensing
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All eyes on Tasmania for licensing reform
In recent weeks Tasmania has attracted major interest from around the country because of its licensing framework for refrigeration and air conditioning technicians.
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South Australia seeks input on building reforms
The South Australian government is undertaking an extensive review of laws that govern the building and construction industry, and is seeking feedback from industry stakeholders. The review will focus on opportunities to enhance industry compliance, protect and inform consumers, and support the building sector to deliver high-quality building work. The review will consider: This review […]
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ARC licence fees frozen for 2024
DCCEEW has announced that ARCtick licence application fees have been frozen for 2024.
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Global refrigerant licence scheme launched
After a decade of work from organisations around the globe and a series of pilot projects, the United Nations Refrigerant Driving Licence (RDL) scheme was launched at the 45th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held in Bangkok. The RDL is a comprehensive refrigerant management qualification program that […]
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Industry calms fears around incoming NSW licence
The mechanical services licensing saga took another twist when NSW Fair Trading sent out an email earlier this month to contractors urging them to start applying for the new mechanical services licence, which comes into effect on March 1, 2023. The email warned that the licence will be legally required by those “testing and commissioning […]
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Reason prevails in mech services licence saga
After signs that air conditioning and refrigeration technicians in New South Wales could be excluded from key work when the new mechanical services licence goes live in March 2023, the government has confirmed that the scope of work for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians will not change with the introduction of the new licence. It […]
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Sweeping building reforms on the way in NSW
The NSW government is seeking industry and community input on proposed changes to building sector laws, as well as specific changes to compliance and fire-safety laws. The government says these changes are aimed at better protecting consumers and supporting businesses and workers, to improve confidence in the NSW building and construction industry. Compliance and fire […]
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NSW heeds calls to defer licence deadline
After an intense series of meetings with stakeholders from the HVAC&R industry, the NSW government is set to push the implementation of the new mechanical services licence back from October 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023. The exception to this will be the medical gas licence, which will go ahead as planned at the end […]
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CPD is go for electrical licence holders in Victoria
After a successful pilot program, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has officially announced the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for electrical licence holders. At its most simple, most licence holders, including electricians and restricted electrical licence (REL) holders, must now complete a day of CPD training, before their licence can be renewed. CPD can be completed […]
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Tradies travelling north for work
The latest licence statistics from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) indicate that a high number of trades have crossed the border over the past 18 months. According to the QBCC, the jump in licensee numbers is the biggest in more than five years. The number of tradies moving from New South Wales and […]
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Clock ticking on Queensland licence deadline
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is urging workers to submit their applications for occupational and site supervisor licences ahead of the January 1, 2022 deadline – and to take advantage of the alternative pathway arrangements that finish this week, on September 30. According to the QBCC, assessment officers have seen an increase in […]
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Alternative pathway for Queensland RAC licences
Queensland workers needing an occupational licence for air conditioning and refrigeration work can now apply using an alternate qualification pathway. The new pathway allows an applicant who may not have the required qualifications to use their experience instead. Employees who perform mechanical services work for a licensed contractor, including refrigeration and air conditioning, have until […]
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Modest start for red-tape-reducing licence system
On July 1, the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme took effect. The new system has been hailed as a way of cutting red tape and allowing Australians to work across borders without having to apply and pay for additional occupational licences, if they are already licenced for the work in their home state or territory. […]
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Queensland will adopt licensing reforms when “fully ready”
The Queensland government has indicated it will be working with the Commonwealth to resolve issues around automatic mutual recognition before adopting the reforms, due to take effect on July 1 around Australia. “The Queensland government is supportive of improving occupational mobility to support economic recovery, but not at any cost,” says the government. “It is […]
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New occupational licensing system clears parliament
The government is charging towards a July 1, 2021 implementation date for its new Automatic Mutual Recognition legislation after the bill was passed by the Senate. The reform will enable licensed workers such as HVAC&R technicians to operate across jurisdictions, without having to apply, pay for and wait for a further licence to perform the […]
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Workers urged to get flying start on licence applications
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is offering new arrangements for mechanical services workers who apply for their occupational licence ahead of the January 1, 2022 deadline. Employees who perform mechanical services work for a licensed contractor, including refrigeration and air conditioning, have until January 1, 2022 to hold the relevant occupational licence. Normally, […]
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Cross-border licensing scheme open for comment
The federal government has taken the next step towards automatic mutual recognition of occupational licences across states and territories by releasing draft legislation for public comment. Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) will allow a person who is licenced or registered for an occupation in one jurisdiction to perform the same activities in another, without having to […]
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Driver injured in explosion from AC system
The driver of a mining truck in Queensland has suffered serious burns in an explosion believed to be caused by an air conditioning system incorrectly charged with hydrocarbon refrigerant. According to the Queensland Mines Inspectorate, the explosion occurred in the truck cabin while the vehicle was being driven in an underground mine. It caused serious […]
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Report finds ‘disjointed’ laws on flammable refrigerants
A new report commissioned by Refrigerants Australia has mapped out the laws that govern the use of flammable refrigerants in this country. It also highlights key themes and gaps within the regulatory landscape. The report, written by Bronwyn Weir and Krista Weymouth, reveals a complicated patchwork of regulations. There is no one set of laws […]
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Plan for automatic licence recognition delayed
A proposal for automatic mutual recognition of state and territory occupational licences, which had been announced to commence on January 1, 2021, has been pushed out to July 1, 2021 after a meeting of the National Cabinet. Automatic mutual recognition is intended to improve labour mobility across jurisdictions by allowing individuals who hold an occupational […]