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Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

This qualification defines the skills and knowledge required of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) tradesperson within metal, engineering, manufacturing and associated industries. This qualification must be undertaken through a Training Contract associated with an Australian Trade Apprenticeship, or through formal trade recognition assessment processes. The skills associated with this qualification are intended to apply to a wide range HVACR work, including assembling, installing, testing, fault finding, maintaining and repairing industrial, commercial and domestic air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment. This qualification is designed to provide an industry recognised skills profile related to trade work as a heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning tradesperson. Assessment of some units of competency must, where indicated, include evidence of the candidate's performance in a functioning workplace where there is a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application of those units. All outcomes must reflect the standard of performance inherent in the job. The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Gas Management Regulations 1995 apply to this qualification which incorporates national Refrigerant Handling Licences and Refrigerant Trading Authorisations. Refer to the Australian Refrigeration Council website for required units of competency to meet the Refrigerant Handling Licence requirements. Licensing and regulatory information is included in the relevant units of competency.

Register your interest and we will email you if this qualification opens through a delivering RTO.

Important:RPL it Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation. RPL it does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Qualification overview
MEM31322
LevelAQF 3Certificate III
Units9669 core, 27 elective
PackageMEMManufacturing and Engineering
AvailabilityNot yet available through RPL it. No delivering RTO, fee or timeline is confirmed yet. Registering interest is not an enrolment and does not guarantee future availability.
A carpenter marking timber framing on a building site, a chef plating a dish in a commercial kitchen, and an aged care worker helping a resident with her walking frame
Recognition of Prior Learning

What is an RPL qualification?

Recognition of Prior Learning assesses skills you already have against a nationally recognised qualification. Demonstrate competency, and you receive the same nationally recognised qualification, issued by a registered training organisation (RTO), as someone who completed the full course.

Who is eligible for RPL?

  • You have years of experience in your field
  • You learned the work on the job, through mentoring or on your own
  • You need the qualification for licensing, promotion or migration
  • You hold overseas qualifications you want recognised in Australia
An RPL it team member sorting an electrician's job photos and reference letter into his evidence folder at a ute tailgate on a building site

If This Qualification Opens Through an RTO

  1. Register interest

    Tell us you are interested in MEM31322. There is no commitment or obligation.

  2. Availability confirmed

    We contact you when a suitable delivering RTO and current servicing details are confirmed.

  3. Evidence planning

    If you choose to proceed, we help you understand the workplace evidence an RTO may need to review.

  4. RTO assessment

    Formal assessment and any qualification outcome are handled only by the delivering Registered Training Organisation.

Career Outcomes

Explore Roles Associated with this Qualification

If your current or past work looks like one of these roles, this qualification may suit you.

  • 01

    Refrigeration Mechanic

    Installing and maintaining large-scale industrial cooling systems and commercial cold storage units.

  • 02

    Air Conditioning Technician

    Diagnosing faults and repairing split systems, ducted units, and central plant equipment.

  • 03

    HVAC Maintenance Specialist

    Performing scheduled inspections to ensure system efficiency and environmental compliance.

Evidence Checklist

What Suitable Evidence Can Support Your Evidence Portfolio?

Your consultant can help you identify relevant workplace records. The delivering RTO decides whether the evidence is sufficient and current.

Work History & Roles
  • Detailed resume highlighting refrigeration experience
  • Position descriptions for past HVACR roles
  • Employment contracts or letters of reference

Technical Skills
  • Photos or videos of system installations
  • Commissioning reports for commercial units
  • Fault-finding and repair logs

Safety & Compliance
  • JSA and SWMS documentation
  • Refrigerant handling and recovery logs
  • Site induction and safety training records

Industry Documentation
  • Interpretations of technical drawings and schematics
  • Material take-off lists and work orders
  • Equipment service manuals used in daily tasks

Professional Validation
  • References from licensed supervisors
  • Client testimonials or feedback forms
  • Trade-related workshop or short course certificates

Qualfication comparison

RPL and Traditional Study

Two routes to the same qualification, assessed against the same RTO competency standards.

RPL PathwaySupported by RPL it, assessed by the RTO
Traditional StudyDelivered and assessed by the RTO
Starting point
Your existing, current workplace skills and evidence
A planned course of learning and assessment
How competency is shown
Workplace evidence mapped to the qualification requirements
Learning activities, assignments, practical work, and assessment
Assessment decision
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
If gaps are identified
Additional evidence or targeted gap training may be required
Learning and assessment continue through the course structure
Qualification outcome
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met

RPL it Australia reviews

What our clients say

Selected Google reviews. Individual experiences vary. Every applicant is assessed against the same requirements, and some require gap training or additional evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Recognition of Prior Learning, your experience, and your next step.

Got more questions?
Can I apply for this qualification now?

Not yet. The Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management is not currently available through RPL it Australia, and no delivering RTO, fee or timeline is confirmed. Registering interest is not an enrolment and does not guarantee future availability.

What happens after I register my interest?

We keep your details and email you if this qualification opens through a delivering RTO. At that point we explain which RTO would assess you, the fee and the evidence it needs, and you decide whether to go ahead. Registering interest is free and there is no obligation.

Can I start preparing evidence now?

You can start keeping records of your work, such as position descriptions, references and examples of projects you have worked on. The evidence checklist on this page gives examples. The delivering RTO decides what evidence it needs and whether it is sufficient, so what you gather now may not cover everything.

Is there a qualification I can apply for now?

Possibly. The related qualifications on this page are open for applications. You can also start a free skills review and we will tell you whether any qualification that is open now suits your experience.