Related information and links
When you need a licence or certificate to do air conditioning and refrigeration work or related electrical wiring, including eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
On this page
When you need an air conditioning and refrigeration licence
Qualifications and experience needed
Apply for a licence or certificate
Change the details on a licence
Working interstate and mutual recognition
Key information
- In NSW, you need a licence or certificate to do air conditioning and refrigeration work. There are different types of licences available depending on the work you need to do.
- To do any mechanical services work that does not fall under air-conditioning and refrigeration work, an additional licence is required.
- You must have the right qualifications and experience before you can apply for a licence or certificate.
- You can apply for a 1, 3 or 5 year licence or certificate.
When you need an air conditioning and refrigeration licence
You must have a licence or certificate before you can do air conditioning and refrigeration work in NSW, including any associated electrical wiring that would otherwise be done by an electrician. These types of work are explained below.
A licence is not required to do duct work outside of a dwelling.
Air conditioning work
Air conditioning work is:
- any work needed to install, maintain and service an air-conditioning system (other than a self-contained single-phase plug-in home air-conditioning system, such as portable air conditioners people use at home) in a structure, building, vessel, container or railway vehicle
- work required to comply with the requirements of Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3666:2011, Air handling and water systems of buildings—Microbial control, relating to the maintenance of cooling towers
- associated electrical wiring work.
Air conditioning work is not:
- the installation of an air-conditioning system in a railway vehicle by the manufacturer of the vehicle
- the installation, maintenance or repair of ducting or insulation in places other than homes.
Refrigeration work
Refrigeration work is:
- any work needed to install, maintain and service a refrigeration system (other than a self-contained single-phase plug-in domestic refrigeration system, such as fridges people use at home) in a structure, building, vessel, container or vehicle
- work required to comply with the requirements of Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS ISO 817:2016, Refrigerants—Designation and safety classification and AS/NZS 5149:2016, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps—Safety and environmental requirements
- associated electrical wiring work.
Associated electrical wiring work
The air conditioning and refrigeration licences also allow associated electrical wiring work that relates to the general servicing and maintenance of air conditioning and refrigeration systems:
- test and diagnose problems in control and power circuits and electrical equipment and electrical motors
- disconnect and reconnect electrical components designed to be permanently connected
- replace electrical components on the load-side of the mains supply
- repair and adjust (in line with normal trade practice) electrical components
- repair, replace or make good cable terminations or defective electrical wiring
- minor changes to electrical wiring.
You must hold either an air conditioning, refrigeration, or electrical licence to be able to carry out this work.
Mechanical services and medical gas work
There are some overlaps in the work authorised by an air-conditioning and refrigeration licence and a mechanical services and medical gas licence.
If you hold an air-conditioning and refrigeration licence, you can do work authorised under the mechanical services and medical gas licence to the extent of the overlap.
To do any mechanical services work that does not fall under air-conditioning and refrigeration work, an additional licence is required. The same applies for air conditioning and refrigeration work that falls outside the scope of mechanical services work.
See more information regarding the Mechanical services and medical gas licence.
Remember, it is an offence to do air conditioning and refrigeration work without a licence or certificate. You can be fined $22,000 as an individual, or $110,000 as a company for doing unlicensed work.
To learn more about what is defined as air conditioning and refrigeration work, see Schedule 4 of the Home Building Regulation 2014.
Licence types
Air conditioning and refrigeration is specialist work.
There are different types of licences available in NSW depending on whether you want to contract for another party, supervise work, do the work, or a combination of these roles. These are explained below.
Contractor licence
A contractor licence allows you to contract and advertise to do work. You can only do the types of work described on your licence card. Contractor licences can be issued to individuals and to companies and partnerships.
You can apply for a 1, 3 or 5 year licence.
Qualified supervisor certificate
A qualified supervisor certificate allows you to supervise and do the work described on your certificate. Qualified supervisor certificates are only issued to individuals. A qualified supervisor certificate does not allow you to contract for work.
You can apply for a 1, 3 or 5 year certificate.
Endorsed contractor licence
An endorsed contractor licence is issued to individuals who apply for a contractor licence and who also have the qualifications and experience needed to be a qualified supervisor.
Endorsed contractor licence cards have ‘contractor licence (Q)’ printed on them to show they are also equivalent to a Qualified Supervisor Certificate.
Tradesperson certificate
A provisional tradesperson certificate for air conditioning and refrigeration can only be issued if you have the required offshore technical qualifications.
A tradesperson certificate allows you to work with minimum supervision, but you can only do the types of work described on your certificate.
Individuals who hold a tradesperson certificate cannot sign off on the work undertaken. Work must be supervised and signed off by the holder of a contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate.
A provisional tradesperson certificate is only issued for three years and cannot be renewed.
Qualifications and experience needed
To get a licence or certificate to do air conditioning and refrigeration, you must have
- one of the current qualifications listed below, and
- completed one set of the mandatory associated electrical qualification modules listed below.
To find organisations that deliver nationally recognised training go to training.gov.au and search for the course code or name.
If you are currently an apprentice or trainee, you cannot apply for a licence or certificate. You must apply as soon as you finish your apprenticeship or traineeship to be able to keep doing air conditioning and refrigeration work.
If you hold a licence from interstate or New Zealand, and want to work in NSW, see Working interstate and mutual recognition.
If you trained overseas, see Overseas Trained Applicants.
Current qualifications
You must have completed of one of the following:
- UEE32220 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- UEE32211 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- UEE31307 Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- UEE31306 Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- UTE30999 Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning)
- The Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Trade course 7795 through NSW TAFE
OR
You have completed an apprenticeship as a refrigeration mechanic and/or air conditioning mechanic before 10 December 2010, with a Certificate of Proficiency as proof.
Mandatory associated electrical qualification modules
- UEERL0004 – Disconnect-reconnect electrical equipment connected to low voltage (LV) installation wiring, conditioned for “Air Conditioning”, or “Refrigeration”, or “Air Conditioning and Refrigeration”, and
UEERL0005 – Locate and rectify faults in low voltage (LV) electrical equipment using set procedures - UEENEEP012A – Disconnect/reconnect composite appliances connected to low voltage installation wiring, and
UEENEEP017A - Locate and rectify faults in low voltage composite appliances using set procedures - UEENEEP001B – Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired electrical equipment to a Low Voltage Supply, and
UEENEEP007B - Locate and rectify faults in electrical low voltage equipment following prescribed procedures - UEENEEP001A – Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired electrical equipment to a Low Voltage Supply, and
UEENEEP007A - Locate and rectify faults in electrical low voltage equipment following prescribed procedures - UTENES208 - Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired Equipment up to 1000 volts ac/1500 volts dc, and
UTENES505 – Locate & rectify fault(s) in Electrical equipment 1kVac/1.5dc by procedures
In addition to one of the courses listed above, you must also do one set of the mandatory associated electrical qualification modules listed below:
Existing licence holders
If you hold a current licence or certificate which includes the condition for associated electrical work restrictions, and you want to apply to remove this condition, you will need to provide the following with your application form:
- Your current licence or certificate number
- Evidence of completion of the mandatory associated electrical qualification modules (listed above)
Previous licence and certificate holders
If you previously held a licence and want to re-apply, you must do one of the following depending on when your licence expired.
You will be issued the same licence or qualified supervisor number you had before if your application is approved.
| Time since your licence or certificate expired | What licence or certificate do you want? | Qualification criteria for a new licence or certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | The same as your previous licence. If your previous licence had conditions or restrictions, these will also apply to a new licence. | Give us your previous licence or certificate number |
| Less than 5 years | Air conditioning and refrigeration with no conditions. i.e you want the restriction on doing associated electrical work to be removed. | Give us your previous licence or certificate number and Evidence of completing the mandatory associated electrical modules |
| More than 5 years | Air conditioning and refrigeration with no conditions. Note: you cannot re-apply for a conditioned or restricted licence or certificate. | Give us your previous licence or certificate number and Evidence of completing the mandatory associated electrical modules |
Apply for a licence or certificate
This information is for individual applications. See information for company and partnership licences.
Once you know what type of licence you want, and you have checked you have the right qualifications, you can apply for a licence or certificate.
Note: if you’re an apprentice or trainee, you can’t apply for a licence or certificate.
How to apply
Individual contractor licence
Before you begin your application make sure you have:
- an individual application checklist – specialist work
- an application form - individual
- an additional details form/s as indicated on your application form (if applicable)
You can also ask for these forms at your nearest Service NSW centre.
You will also need:
- proof of identity (such as driver’s licence or passport)
- an original copy of your qualifications
- details of any licence or certificate you currently hold (or previously held)
- details of your employment and experience
- details of any past compliance issues, insolvency matters, or criminal offences (if applicable)
- certificate of eligibility to obtain insurance (if applicable)
- one passport sized photo
- payment for the licence fee. See our fees page for details.
Licence applications are lodged with Service NSW. If needed, you can book an appointment online to complete your application at a Service NSW centre.
Apply for a contractor licence
This is for new applicants only. Find out how to renew your licence below.
Qualified supervisor certificate
Before you begin your application make sure you have:
- an individual application checklist – specialist work
- an application form - individual
- an additional details form/s as indicated on your application form (if applicable)
You can also ask for these forms at your nearest Service NSW centre.
You will also need:
- proof of identity (such as driver’s licence or passport)
- an original copy of your qualifications
- details of any licence or certificate you currently hold (or previously held)
- details of your employment and experience
- details of any past compliance issues, insolvency matters, or criminal offences (if applicable)
- certificate of eligibility to obtain insurance (if applicable)
- one passport sized photo
- payment for the licence fee. See our fees page for details.
Licence applications are lodged with Service NSW. If needed, you can book an appointment online to complete your application at a Service NSW centre.
Apply for a qualified supervisor certificate
This is for new applicants only. Find out how to renew your licence below.
Tradesperson certificate
All applicants for a tradesperson certificate must apply online.
What happens next?
Review application
Your application will be reviewed and assessed to check it meets eligibility requirements.
We might contact you (by email or SMS) if we need more information.
Note: If we need to request additional information, the processing time will increase, so it’s important that you submit all the required information and documents with your original application.
Outcome advised
If your application is successful, we will contact you via SMS and send you a licence card in the post. Your approved licence details will be added to the public register.
If your application is unsuccessful, you’ll be advised of the reasons in writing and be provided with your options. For more information about the internal review process see Reviews of Fair Trading decisions.
Detailed information about application reviews and current processing timeframes can be found on our assessment process page.
Renew or restore a licence
You need to renew your licence or certificate before it expires.
If your licence or certificate isn't renewed by the due date it will expire, and you will no longer be authorised to work in NSW.
We will send you a renewal form 6 weeks before the expiry date with details of how to renew. We may also send you an SMS reminder.
If your licence is going to expire soon and you have not received your renewal form, contact us on 13 32 20. It is your responsibility to renew your licence on time.
If eligible, you can renew your licence or certificate online.
You're not able to renew online if you need to make changes to your licence other than your contact details and address.
If renewing online isn't possible, you can also renew in person at your nearest Service NSW centre.
If we approve your application, we will post your new licence to you. Read about reasons why an application may not be approved.
Restoring your licence after expiry
If your licence or certificate expired less than three months ago, you can restore it for a fee at a Service NSW Centre.
You can use the details on your renewal form to apply to restore your licence or certificate.
If your licence is renewed or restored, you’ll keep your existing licence number. In this instance, your licence is considered to have been renewed from the day the licence expired.
If your licence has been expired for more than 3 months, restoration may not be an option and you will need to reapply. You cannot trade until your new licence is issued.
To check the status of your licence, you can search the public register .
Replace your licence
If your licence or certificate has been damaged, lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement at a Service NSW Centre.
To replace your licence you will need:
- an Application for duplicate licence, certificate or permit form
- your personal details and certificate number
- payment for the fee. See our fees page for details.
Change the details on a licence
As a licence holder, it is your responsibility to tell us within 7 days if your name, address or other details change.
Change of address and contact details
If you hold a current licence or certificate and your address or contact details have changed, you can update them online, as long as your current email address or mobile phone number is recorded with NSW Fair Trading.
Note: Only your address and contact details can be changed online.
If needed, you can also update your details in person at a Service NSW centre by completing the notification of change of address form.
Update your name
If you want to change your name, you'll need to visit a Service NSW Centre with:
- an original copy of the name change document, such as a marriage certificate, and
- a completed change of name and use of other names or aliases form.
Change of licence class
If you gain more qualifications that allow you to do other types of work in additional classes, such as building work, you can apply to add or change a category on your contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate at a Service NSW Centre.
Before you begin your application, make sure you have:
- an Application Form - Individual
- a relevant Checklist for Individuals (if applicable)
- the Additional Details Form/s as indicated on the application form (if applicable)
- proof of identity
- one passport size photograph
- documentation that validates the change of class
- your referee's statement (if applicable)
- a certificate of eligibility to obtain insurance (if applicable)
- payment for the fee. See our fees page for details.
Change the conditions on a licence
Your licence or certificate allows you to do and/or supervise the work described on your licence card, subject to any specified conditions.
These conditions may be imposed for a number reasons to limit the scope of work you are able to do, or place other requirements on the licence or certificate holder.
They may be as a result of mutual recognition processes, disciplinary action, bankruptcy, external administration or other factors.
If your circumstances change (such as your qualifications), and this affects the conditions under which your licence or certificate has been issued, you must let us know within 7 days and you'll need to amend your details. You can do this at a Service NSW Centre.
Before you begin your application, make sure you have:
- an Application Form - Individual, or a letter explaining the details of the condition change
- proof of identity
- one passport size photograph (if applicable)
- evidence of qualifications or documentation to validate the change of condition
- payment for the fee. See our fees page for details.
Working interstate and mutual recognition
There are different ways that make it easier for many licensed or registered professionals to work interstate.
If you trained overseas, see Overseas Trained Applicants.
Mutual recognition
Mutual Recognition (MR) arrangements enable a licensed tradesperson or registered professional to work in another state or territory by having their qualifications recognised in NSW and vice versa.
Under MR you can practise an equivalent occupation in NSW if the activities you're authorised to carry out under your original licence are substantially the same as those under the occupational licence in NSW.
To apply for recognition of your existing licence, you need to:
- complete a Registration of equivalent occupation form , and
- pay any applicable fee.
Applications, payment and supporting documents must be lodged at a Service NSW Centre.
If you trained overseas see Overseas Trained Applicants. Qualifications from overseas are not approved for licensing in NSW.
Automatic mutual recognition
Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) allows individuals who hold some specified licences issued in other Australian States and Territories to work in NSW under that licence without the need for a local licence or paying additional fees (please note: Queensland is not a participating state).
The AMR scheme does not apply to New Zealand occupational registrations and licences. However, the existing processes under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangements continue to apply.
Recognised interstate licensees will not need a NSW licence unless they relocate their primary place of residence to NSW. This is similar to someone with a driver’s licence issued by another state being able to legally drive on NSW roads; only if they move to NSW do they need a NSW driver’s licence.
While working in NSW, a recognised interstate licensee must follow the same laws as NSW licence holders. Fair Trading can take disciplinary and enforcement action if these obligations are not followed.
AMR only applies to specific occupations. If your occupation is included in the AMR scheme, you may need to notify NSW Fair Trading of your intention to work in NSW.
You can check if your occupation is included in the AMR scheme, and if necessary, how to meet notification requirements.
Licensees in other occupations may still be able to apply under mutual recognition to have their licence recognised in NSW.
For more information see Working interstate and in New Zealand.
Insurance requirements
If you are a licensed builder or tradesperson in NSW, you need to get home building compensation (HBC) cover for each home building project over $20,000 including GST.
HBC cover, which used to be called ‘home warranty insurance’, protects homeowners as a last resort if you cannot complete building work or fix defects.
Visit the State Insurance Regulatory Authority website for more information.
Insolvency matters
Current bankruptcy and external administration
If you are applying for a licence and are currently bankrupt or the director of a company that is under external administration (other than external administration resulting from a member's voluntary winding up of the body corporate), a contractor’s licence may be granted with the condition 'contracts not to exceed $20,000 in value'.
Bankruptcy or external administration within three years
If you are applying for a licence and have been discharged from bankruptcy or were previously a director of a company in external administration (other than external administration resulting from a member's voluntary winding up of the body corporate), and if we grant you a contractor licence, it may come with the condition:
- contracts not to exceed $20,000 in value, or
- contracts not to exceed $20,000 in value, except for subcontract to licensed contractor.
Cancelled or suspended licences
Your licence or certificate can be cancelled or suspended if you:
- become involved in unlawful activity
- get a licence by misrepresentation or fraudulent means
- become bankrupt or subject to a winding up order.
Also, if the holder of a company or partnership licence goes more than 30 days without an acceptable nominated supervisor, without prior consent from Fair Trading, the licence will be cancelled.
If your licence is cancelled, we will not refund any of the fees paid.
Immediate action required
If your licence or certificate has been cancelled or suspended you must immediately:
- stop all business activity that relates to the licence or certificate
- remove any sign or advertisement which indicates the conduct of business activity that relates to the licence or certificate
- return the licence or certificate to NSW Fair Trading by mail or at a Service NSW centre.
You should also let your clients know, either verbally or in writing, that your licence has been cancelled or suspended and you are unable to complete any unfinished work.
Automatic licence suspension
Your licence will be automatically suspended if you do not comply with an order by a court or the NSW Civil or Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to pay money for a building claim. Read more about automatic licence suspension.
Contact us
Need help applying?
If you need help with your application or have a question, please call 13 32 20.
Unsuccessful applications
If your application is unsuccessful, you can ask for a review.
A review involves another officer from Fair Trading, who was not involved in the original decision, reviewing the decision on your application.
For more information about the process see reviews of Fair Trading decisions.