Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics assemble, install, maintain and repair commercial and domestic air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment.
Occupation description
Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics assemble, install, maintain and repair commercial and domestic air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment.
Their job involves:
- establishing job requirements from drawings and specifications, and laying out installation reference points
- drilling holes, installing mounting brackets and cutting, bending and threading piping
- installing and repairing components such as compressors, motors, condensers, evaporators,
switches and gauges, and copper lines for steam, gas, refrigerant, compressed air, oil and chilled water - bolting, soldering, riveting, welding and brazing pipes to connect equipment, and checking alignment and accuracy of fit
- filling systems with gas or fluid to check for leaks
- test-operating refrigeration systems, checking mechanisms and making adjustments
- removing test gas and fluid using vacuum pumps, and filling with refrigerant
- checking and overhauling refrigeration systems, diagnosing faults and repairing and replacing
defective components - adjusting system controls and mechanisms and reassembling systems
- recording causes of malfunctioning and action taken.
How will I be assessed?
Documentary Evidence Assessment
We will review your documentary evidence to ensure it meets the employment and training requirements and indicates that you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience as a Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic.
You can find information about the employment, training, and document requirements below:
- For information on what evidence you need to include with your application, download the Evidence guide.
- For information about the employment experience requirements for a Pathway 1 application, please refer to the Pathway 1 Employment Experience Guidelines.
- If you are applying for a Pathway 2 assessment, please read the Pathway 2 Candidate Guide.
Technical Interview
If you are successful in Stage 1, you will complete a technical interview with our assessor. The assessor will ask you questions about the knowledge required to work in your trade in Australia and how you apply that knowledge.
For more information about the technical interview, read the Technical Assessment Guide.
Practical Assessment
If you are successful in Stage 2, an assessor will assess you via a Practical Assessment where you will complete a series of work-based tasks that demonstrate your trade skills.
For more information on Stage 3, see the Technical Assessment Guide.
What skills and knowledge do I need?
The qualification relevant to this occupation is UEE32220 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
To be awarded this qualification, you must demonstrate your skills and knowledge in the units of competency listed below. Each unit of competency defines a selection of knowledge and skills required in Australian workplaces.
- Core Units
-
Code Title UEECD0007 Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace UEECD0016 Document and apply measures to control WHS risks associated with electrotechnology work* UEECD0019 Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components* UEECD0020 Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment* UEECD0042 Solve problems in ELV single path circuits* UEECD0051 Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications* UEECO0010 Participate in refrigeration and air conditioning work and competency development activities UEERA0031 Diagnose and rectify faults in air conditioning and refrigeration control systems* UEERA0035 Establish the basic operating conditions of air conditioning systems* UEERA0036 Establish the basic operating conditions of vapour compression systems* UEERA0044 Find and rectify faults in single phase motors and associated controls* UEERA0045 Find and rectify faults in three phase motors and associated controls* UEERA0050 Install refrigerant pipe work, flow controls and accessories* UEERA0051 Install, commission, service and maintain air conditioning systems* UEERA0052 Install, commission, service and maintain low temperature systems* UEERA0053 Install, commission, service and maintain medium temperature systems* UEERA0059 Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings* UEERA0062 Recover and charge refrigerants* UEERA0079 Safely handle refrigerants and lubricants* UEERA0081 Select refrigerant piping, accessories and associated controls* UEERA0092 Solve problems in low voltage refrigeration and air conditioning circuits* UEERA0094 Verify functionality and compliance of refrigeration and air conditioning installations* UEERE0001 Apply environmentally and sustainable procedures in the energy sector UEERL0001 Apply environmentally and sustainable procedures in the energy sector UEERL0001 Attach cords and plugs to electrical equipment for connection to a single phase 230 Volt supply* UEERL0002 Attach cords, cables and plugs to electrical equipment for connection to 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c.* UEERL0004 Disconnect - reconnect electrical equipment connected to low voltage (LV) installation wiring* UEERL0005 Locate and rectify faults in low voltage (LV) electrical equipment using set procedures*
- Elective Units
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Code Title UEERA006 Apply safety awareness and legal requirements for carbon dioxide refrigerant UEECD0007 Apply safety awareness and legal requirements for flammable refrigerants UEERA0074 Resolve problems in industrial refrigeration systems* UEERA0066 Repair and service carbon dioxide refrigeration systems* UEERA0070 Resolve problems in central plant air conditioning systems* UEERA0084 Service and repair self-contained flammable refrigerants air conditioning and refrigeration systems* UEERA0067 Repair and service secondary refrigeration systems*
You must demonstrate competency in all core and elective units of competency.
NOTE: * indicates that a unit requires a pre-requisite/s
- What is an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR)?
-
The OTSR is a form of technical skills documentation that VETASSESS issues to individuals who successfully complete the practical skills assessment in UEE32220 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. The OTSR lists the technical skills and knowledge demonstrated against the qualification and any gaps that need to be bridged to meet the full standard, for example the Australian wiring rules for electrical trades.
The Australian Refrigeration Council Ltd (ARC), the peak body for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in Australia, will provide you a Trainee License against the OTSR which will allow you to work under supervision till you meet the requirements for a full (unrestricted) license. You might also need to meet other non-skill requirements as well as obtain additional licenses/permits from the state and territory regulators. These requirements vary depending on the state or territory you want to work in. For further information about licensing requirements refer to https://www.tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au/air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanic
To receive a full license and a UEE32220 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, you will need to undertake:
- a minimum Australian context gap training, and
- a period of supervised employment in your trade.
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in Australia, including TAFE institutes, offer the gap training course. You can find more information about gap training on the Energy Skills Australia website.
Once you have successfully completed the gap training and been issued with a Statement of Attainment by the RTO, you can either:
- Apply to the RTO where you completed your gap training for your Certificate III qualification. You can then present this qualification to the relevant licensing regulator to be issued a full license, OR
- Apply to VETASSESS for your Certificate III qualification. VETASSESS will review your gap training documentation and issue you with the required Certificate III qualification. You can present this qualification to the relevant licensing regulator to be issued a full license. Please note that VETASSESS will charge an administrative fee for issuing the qualification and you might need to meet additional requirements.
How to Apply
If you're a tradesperson, your skills and experience will be assessed by someone who has worked in your trade and understands your skills and qualifications. VETASSES is Australia's leading assessment body for trades and we can assess 27 different trade occupations.
Step 1
Check your eligibility to apply for a Trade Skills Assessment.
Step 2
Understand the Assessment Process
Step 3
Confirm the type of evidence you may be asked to provide
Step 4
Find the cost you’ll need to pay up front for your trade skills assessment
Step 5
FAQs
You are strongly encouraged to review each of the units of competency shown above. To do this:
1. Go to the following website: http://training.gov.au/Search.
2. Enter a unit code (e.g. MSMWHS200) into the ‘Title or code’ search box.
3. Click on the ‘NRT’ button.
4. Click on the ‘Search’ button.
5. Read the Unit of Competency information.