How to become an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician

Also called: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic

Assembles, installs, maintains and repairs industrial, commercial and domestic air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment that can contain refrigerant gases and liquids.

Main tasks

• Installs air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment in industrial, commercial and domestic settings
• Assembles components and parts to construct air conditioning and refrigeration systems
• Repairs and maintains air conditioning and refrigeration components such as compressors, motors, condensers, evaporators and pumps
• Repairs and maintains air conditioning and refrigeration lines used for refrigerant, liquids and gases in the air conditioning, heating or cooling process
• Tests operational air conditioning and refrigeration systems to prevent breakdowns and ensure optimal performance
• Fills systems with gas or fluid to check for leaks, and removes gas and fluids with vacuum pumps
• Recovers and fills refrigerant in air conditioning and refrigeration systems

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering (UEE62525); Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (UEE62420); Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (UEE32225); Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (MEM31322); Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering (UEE51225); Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (UEE50325); Certificate IV in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Servicing (UEE42725); Certificate IV in Air-conditioning Systems Energy Management and Control (UEE42825)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $109,200 a year
• About 29,200 people work in this job group now, and about 31,200 are projected by 2035. (+6.7%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering; Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.

How much does an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $109,200 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 29,200 to about 31,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician?

Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering; Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.

Will AI change the work of an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04