Do air conditioning installers need a licence in Australia?
Yes. Anyone who handles refrigerant needs a national ARCtick refrigerant handling licence. The electrical side also needs a state electrical licence, and some states have their own air-con trade licence.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Yes | Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate Building Commission NSW (apply through Service NSW) The licence includes the related electrical wiring. Plug-in units are excluded. Air-con is in the NSW AMR scheme. |
Check a builder or tradesperson licence (Service NSW) |
| VICVictoria | Yes | Mechanical services plumbing class (or restricted to single head split systems) + electrical licence Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) and Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) The split-system class covers single head splits up to 18kW. An ESV restricted licence only allows like-for-like disconnect and reconnect; new wiring needs a licensed electrician. |
BPC find a practitioner; ESV public registers |
| QLDQueensland | Yes | QBCC mechanical services (air-conditioning and refrigeration) licence + restricted electrical work licence QBCC and Electrical Safety Office Mechanical services needs a QBCC licence at any value. Split-system interconnect wiring is installation wiring and needs an electrical contractor. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | Yes | Restricted electrical licence (refrigeration and air-conditioning) + ARCtick licence Electrical Licensing Board (Building and Energy) Restricted licence holders cannot do electrical installing work. Use a licensed electrician for new air-con installations. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Electrical worker registration restricted to refrigeration and air conditioning + contractor licence Consumer and Business Services (CBS) The restricted registration covers disconnect, reconnect, fault finding and repair, and connecting split units with a factory-supplied loom. |
CBS licensing register (Find a licence holder) |
| TASTasmania | Yes | Restricted electrical work licence (refrigeration and air conditioning) Consumer Affairs Tasmania (formerly CBOS) The restricted licence lets a tech disconnect, work on and reconnect equipment. New wiring needs an electrician. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Yes | Restricted - Electrotechnology systems refrigeration and air-conditioning licence Access Canberra (ACT Government) This licence covers incidental wiring for disconnect and reconnect only. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | Yes | Restricted electrical work licence (air-conditioning and refrigeration endorsement) Electrical Safety Regulator (NT WorkSafe) A restricted licence does not allow electrical installation work. |
Check an electrical worker licence (NT) |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Handling refrigerant (install, service, decommission)ARCtick Refrigerant Handling Licence (e.g. RAC01 full, RSS03 split systems under 18kW)
every state (national)
New wiring and circuits for a new split systemFull electrical licence + electrical contractor licence
every state
Disconnect / reconnect and like-for-like repairRestricted electrical licence (refrigeration and air-conditioning)
every state
Air-con trade licenceNSW air conditioning and refrigeration licence; VIC mechanical services plumbing class; QLD QBCC mechanical services licence
NSW, VIC, QLD
Ducted systems and duct fixingMechanical services or duct fixing class
VIC (other states vary)
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence number and the exact name on the licence.
- Search that number on the official register for your state (links below).
- Check the licence is current, not expired, suspended or cancelled.
- Check the licence class covers your job.
- Make sure the name on the quote or invoice matches the licence holder or business.
- Check the ARCtick licence on the Look For The Tick licence check.
- For a new install, check who does the electrical connection and that they are a licensed electrician or contractor.
- Ask for the compliance certificate or safety certificate when the job is done.
Find local businesses: Air Conditioning Services
On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.
For businesses: how to get this licence
- Qualify: finish a Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (or a listed equivalent).
- Get your ARCtick Refrigerant Handling Licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council.
- Get the electrical side: a restricted electrical licence for disconnect/reconnect work, or a full electrical licence for new wiring.
- In NSW, VIC and QLD also apply for the state air-con licence or class (links below).
- Documents: ID, a photo, qualification and results, and a police check where your state asks for one.
- Licensed in another state? Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) may let you work under your home-state licence. Notify the regulator before you start. Not every licence class is covered, so check the state page first.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW (apply through Service NSW) | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) and Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | QBCC and Electrical Safety Office | How to apply | Requirements |
| WA | Electrical Licensing Board (Building and Energy) | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Consumer Affairs Tasmania (formerly CBOS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | Access Canberra (ACT Government) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Electrical Safety Regulator (NT WorkSafe) | How to apply | Requirements |
Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.
Official sources (27)
- arctick.org /refrigerant-handling-licence/
- arctick.org /refrigerant-handling-licence/licence-types/
- lookforthetick.com.au /licence-check/
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- service.nsw.gov.au /transaction/check-a-builder-or-tradesperson-licence
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/plumber-classes-and-categories
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/plumber-classes-and-categories/mechanical-services-restricte...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /find-and-check-a-practitioner
- energysafe.vic.gov.au /licensing/electrical-licences/licence-types/restricted-electrical-wor...
- energysafe.vic.gov.au /licensing/search-public-register
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/mechanical-services/air-con...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- my.qbcc.qld.gov.au /myQBCC/s/qbcc-licensee-register
- worksafe.qld.gov.au /licensing-and-registrations/electrical-licences/electrical-worker-lic...
- worksafe.qld.gov.au /licensing-and-registrations/electrical-licences/classes-of-licences
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/restricted-electrical-licence
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- cbs.sa.gov.au /documents/licence_categories_guide_electricians.pdf
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/licensing
- cbs.sa.gov.au /find-a-licence-holder
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/electrical/res...
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- worksafe.nt.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/electrical-licensing/electrical-licenses-a...
- service.nt.gov.au /services/business-industry/electrical/check-electrical-worker-licence
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