Refrigerated Air-conditioning

What is Refrigerated Air-conditioning work?

Get to know the regulation

Under Part 4 of the Plumbing Regulations 2018, Refrigerated Air-conditioning work is:

1. the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of refrigerated air-conditioning equipment associated with the heating or cooling of a building, including:
   1. any compressor, condenser, condensing unit, fan coil unit, fan and air distribution equipment, evaporator, pipework, refrigerant pipework and any tubing, motors and associated controls
   2. any ductwork that is necessary for the purpose of any work described in this paragraph
   3. any roof sheeting and roof flashing that is necessary for the purpose of any work described in this paragraph; and
   4. any part of a single head split system, ceiling cassette system or any add-on condenser unit for the ducted system
2. the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of a split system heat pump water heater; and
3. any design work that is incidental to, or associated with, any work described in paragraph (a) or (b).

Refrigerated Air-conditioning work does not include:

1. the connection or disconnection of refrigerated air-conditioning equipment from a water supply other than the disconnection of that equipment from a water supply at an isolating valve adjacent to a mechanical component of that equipment
2. any treatment of heating or cooling water; or
3. the connection or disconnection of a split system heat pump water heater from a water supply.

Typical Refrigerated Air-conditioning work

Refrigerated Air-conditioning work is conducted in domestic, commercial and industrial environments, to provide desired heating and cooling requirements. Experienced Refrigerated Air-conditioning plumbers typically do the following work:

• installing and commissioning air-conditioning systems
• testing air-conditioning systems for leaks and undertaking appropriate repairs or alterations
• maintaining and repairing refrigerated air-conditioning systems and components
• completing required compliance documentation about handling gases.

What do Refrigerated Air-conditioning plumbers need to know and do?

Plumbers undertaking Refrigerated Air-conditioning work apply critical knowledge and skills to ensure the health and safety of the community. What does this mean for you?

As a registered practitioner, you must be able to understand and apply the compliance requirements of Refrigerated Air-conditioning work. These requirements include:

• AS/NZS ISO 817:2016, Refrigerants - Designation and safety classification
• AS/NZS 5149.1:2016, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 1: Definitions, classification and selection criteria
• AS/NZS 5149.2:2016, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation
• AS/NZS 5149.3:2016, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 3: Installation site
• AS/NZS 5149.4:2016, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 4: Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery
• HB 276 – 2004 A Guide to Good Practice for Energy Efficient Installation of Residential Heating, Cooling and Air-conditioning Plant and Equipment
• Australia and New Zealand refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 1 - Self- contained low charge systems
• Australia and New Zealand Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 2 - Systems other than self-contained low charge systems.

To undertake Refrigerated Air-conditioning work to a safe and competent standard, you must also be able to:

• read site or building plans and identify installation locations
• read, interpret and apply manufacturer specifications
• locate and rectify faults in motors and controls in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and low voltage composite appliances
• fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components
• install and commission air-conditioning and refrigeration systems
• recover, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigerants
• select refrigerant piping, accessories and associated controls
• diagnose and rectify faults in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and components
• disconnect/reconnect composite appliances connected to low voltage installation wiring.

What competencies and experience do you need?

The VBA publishes a set of units of competency for each class of plumbing work. Each unit of competency describes a work outcome, all the knowledge and skills needed to do the work to the expected standard, and how the knowledge and skills should be assessed.

The VBA uses the units of competency to assess your skills and experience if you apply to register in a class of plumbing work.

To meet the knowledge requirements for registration in Refrigerated air-conditioning work, you must:

• demonstrate knowledge and competence equivalent to the qualification, and
• hold a restricted electrical workers licence.

To meet the experience requirements for registration, you must:

• have completed an apprenticeship under the supervision of a plumber who is licensed in refrigerated air- conditioning work, or
• demonstrate practical experience you were employed in Refrigerated Air-conditioning work for at least four years.

Before applying for registration or licensing, please read the current approved units of competency for Refrigerated air-conditioning.

Units of competency for Refrigerated Air-conditioning work

Units prescribed for courses commenced from late 2021 onwards

Refrigerated Air-conditioning (PDF, 352.29 KB)

Units prescribed for older courses

Refrigerated Air-conditioning (PDF, 223.71 KB)