Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics assemble, install, maintain and repair industrial, commercial and domestic air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level

3

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Must have successfully completed an AQF Qualification either a Certificate III in Airconditioning and Refrigeration or formal training that is comparable
• Must possess skills that are current to Australian industry standards demonstrated by 12 months full time employment or equivalent part-time in the occupation in the previous three years
• If you have obtained a qualification internationally or an Australian qualification that was not through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full time or equivalent post-qualification experience
• If you have obtained an Australian qualification issued through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full-time or equivalent post-qualification experience OR 6 years full-time or equivalent experience which can be either pre- or post-qualification

Assemble, install, maintain and repair industrial, commercial and domestic airconditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment.

Tasks

• 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

Indicative Skill Level

In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the following qualifications:

• Australia (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
  • AQF Certificate III + 2 years of on-the-job training; or
  • AQF Certificate IV
• New Zealand (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
  • NZQF Level 4 Qualification

Please note: at least three years of relevant experience may be a substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. This occupation may require registration or licensing.

Occupations in this Group

• 342111 Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic