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Tag: licensing
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Check licence requirements now, warns QBCC
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is alerting employees who perform air conditioning and refrigeration work for a licensed contractor that they must hold the relevant mechanical services occupational licence by January 1, 2022. Contractors who hold a mechanical services licence and have employees who perform mechanical services work are encouraged to discuss licensing […]
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Trades to get automatic recognition across borders
HVAC&R technicians could find it easier to do business across state and territory borders as part of a new government plan for automatic recognition. The proposal, announced by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, will cover trades such as HVAC&R technicians, electricians and plumbers, as well as a raft of other licensed occupations such as teachers and property […]
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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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Licence deadline looming for RAC contractors
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is encouraging air conditioning and refrigeration contractors to apply for a free Mechanical Services licence by June 30. Existing air conditioning and refrigeration contractors have until June 30 to submit an application for a free Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence using the alternative qualification pathway provided by transitional […]
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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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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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ARMA signals flaw in licence rules
The Australian Refrigeration Mechanics Association (ARMA) has highlighted an issue in the new QBCC licensing framework that allows the MEM30219 qualification to be accepted for air conditioning and refrigeration licences. The qualification is listed in the Technical qualifications for licensing document, published by the Department of Housing and Public Works, for unlimited design, limited design […]
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Webinars on new QBCC licensing
At the beginning of this year, a new licensing framework was introduced in Queensland. Workers will now require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence for mechanical services work. This includes not just air conditioning and refrigeration but also plumbing and medical gases. To help industry understand and transition to the new framework, the […]
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Licensing – now and towards 2050
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), led by its Refrigeration Special Technical Group, has released a position statement on HVAC&R licensing in Australia, and is seeking input from industry stakeholders. Although there are well-established and successful licensing regimes in place – most notably the national ARCtick licence scheme – AIRAH CEO […]
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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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New rules for Queensland fridgies
A new licensing framework has been introduced in Queensland. Workers now require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence for mechanical services work. According to the QBCC, “improperly installed and maintained heating and cooling systems can lead to dangerous bacteria growing and spreading through systems in facilities such as aged care, hospitals and shopping […]
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RAC roundtable highlights industry issues
A refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) contractors roundtable held in Adelaide recently highlighted a number of key issues currently facing the industry. The meeting followed on from a similar event in Sydney. The Chair of the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Michael Bennett says the sessions are a great opportunity to connect with the broader industry […]
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Have your say: New licensing in Queensland
As reported last year, Queensland is updating its licensing framework for mechanical services work, including air conditioning and refrigeration. It is now looking for feedback on the proposed licence classes and transitional arrangements. Perhaps the biggest change for air conditioning and refrigeration is the introduction of the occupational licence class, with a minimum Certificate III […]
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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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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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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 […]
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ARC’s free tool for trainees
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is offering a free digital temperature sensor to trainee licence holders undertaking the first year of a refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeship. The initiative is aimed at supporting the training and development of future HVAC&R technicians. Kevin O’Shea, chair of the ARC RAC Industry Board, said that the idea was […]