Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in South Australia

Turn your on-the-tools air-con experience into an approved SA trade licence so you can install, service and work with refrigerants legally. If you install, service, or repair air conditioning systems, split systems, ducted systems, or refrigeration equipment in Adelaide and South Australia, you must hold a licence. Start with the free initial consultation to find the right pathway for you.
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Start Your Journey to a Air conditioning and refrigeration Licence

In South Australia, air-conditioning and refrigeration work is regulated at both national and state levels. To handle refrigerant gases, you must hold a valid Refrigerant Handling Licence (commonly referred to as an ARCtick licence), issued under national regulations. In addition, if you intend to contract directly with clients, supervise work, or operate a business providing refrigeration or air-conditioning services, you must hold the appropriate South Australian contractor licence or registration for building work within the mechanical services scope. These authorisations allow you to legally install, maintain, and repair split systems, ducted systems, and commercial refrigeration equipment in South Australia.

Delivering RTO

All qualifications are nationally recognised and issued by our partner RTOs.

Why Get Your Air conditioning and refrigeration Trade Licensed in South Australia?

Work legally and safely
Access higher-paying jobs
Get experience officially recognised
Take on your own work
Qualify for trade insurance
Start or grow your business
Build trust and credibility
Work across Australia
Secure a long-term career

How to Get a South Australia Air conditioning and refrigeration Trade Licence

1

Initial Consultation

Tell us about your trade background, total years of experience, any completed certificates, and the licence you want to apply for in South Australia.

Tell us about your trade

Share your trade, total years of hands-on experience, any qualifications or statement of attainment you already have, and the state or territory where you work. We offer a complimentary skills assessment to determine whether you hold the right credentials for South Australian licensing or registration.

In this consultation, we will:

  • Confirm the licence/registration category relevant to your planned work in South Australia.
  • Specify the qualification or unit codes you will need.
  • Evaluate whether your practical experience can be accepted via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

This short consultation gives you a clear recommendation and the next steps to obtain the appropriate South Australian licence or registration.

Free Skills Check: Do you have the required certificate for your licence?If you already have the required certificate

  • We confirm your certificate is correct for your licence.
  • We refer you to our partner trade licensing advisor, Trade Licence Solutions, to prepare your trade licence application for submission to the licensing authority.
  • If you do not prefer to use our partners for your trade licence application, you can apply for it directly with the trade licence authority in your state.

If you don’t have the required licence certificate

  • We assist you with the RPL process for obtaining the necessary qualifications to meet your trade licence requirements.
  • An evidence list is provided to meet the requirements for obtaining a licence.
  • We map your work experience to the qualification.
2

Build A Portfolio of Experience

Your dedicated RPL It Australia account manager helps you prepare a clear portfolio of evidence — resume, job history, photos of work, reference letters, certificates, and more.

What your portfolio may include: • Resume with industry experience & job roles • Employment contracts & job descriptions • Reference letters from employers, managers, and colleagues • Professional trade memberships • Photos or videos demonstrating your work • Competency conversations (with your assessor) • Previously attended training & workshops • Prior study and transcripts • Business plans or business reports During the initial consultation, we'll confirm which pathway you'll follow and provide a tailored evidence checklist so you gather only what's needed.

3

Evidence Review and RTO Assessment

We submit your portfolio to a partnered RTO for final assessment. The RTO may follow up with you directly if any additional evidence or a brief interview is needed.

After assessing your evidence portfolio, the RTO will issue you a nationally recognised qualification.

4

You're Ready to Be Licensed!

Once your qualification is issued, you are ready to apply directly with Consumer and Business Services for your trade licence.

You can either apply yourself or have our partner Trade Licence Solutions prepare and lodge the application on your behalf. When the licensing authority approves the application, you'll receive your trade licence and can legally work in South Australia.

What Could I Provide as Evidence of My Work Experience?

To support your experience, consider providing any of the following evidence:

  • Resume with industry experience & job roles
  • Employment contracts, job descriptions
  • Reference letters from employers, managers, and colleagues
  • Professional trade memberships
  • Photos or videos of completed work
  • Licences, tickets, or certifications already held
  • Training records or course completions
  • Logbooks or job diaries
  • Photos demonstrating your work
  • 2-minute video demonstration of your work
  • Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

Common Questions About RPL

Why should I get a trade licence in SA?
Trade licensing regulates any industry in a location. A trade licence ensures that professionals are qualified to do business safely and efficiently. You can demonstrate your reliability and experience to clients by obtaining a licence and registering with a state regulatory authority.
Can I work in a SA trade without a licence?
If you want to work in the trade, you do need an Australian licence. You need a different licence in each state, even if you already have one from another state. For most trades, it is required by law for safety and quality reasons, and there are harsh penalties for noncompliance.
Who is eligible to obtain a trade licence?
You can get a licence in Australia based on where you want to live and work. The cost of getting a trade licence depends on the state and the industry. You can learn about the eligibility requirements for each sector and trade by following the links on this page.
How much does the licence cost?
The cost of obtaining a trade licence depends on factors such as the state, the licence type, and any additional training or tests required. For more information, it is advisable to consult an RPL it consultant or a partner trade licence adviser.
Will previous experience count towards getting my licence?
Yes, having experience is a big part of getting a licence. RPL looks at your job experience, skills, and knowledge to see whether you can get your certification faster. RPL it Australia can help you with this by connecting you with your personal RPL it specialist and a trusted trade licence adviser who can review your portfolio and determine whether you need more training.
How long does the RPL process take?
The RPL process can be completed in as little as a few weeks, typically ranging from two weeks to a month after you’ve submitted all your evidence. The timeline largely depends on how quickly you gather the required evidence, as discussed with your assessor. Once your proof is submitted, we forward it to our partner registered training organisation (RTO) for assessment, and you’ll usually receive an answer within a few days. If you’re having difficulty gathering evidence, we can assist by conducting interviews and observations to speed up the process.
Do I need an ARCtick to work on split systems?
Yes. Any work that could release or transfer refrigerant (including installation, commissioning, servicing, and decommissioning) requires a Refrigerant Handling (ARCtick) licence. If you won’t touch refrigerant (only cleaning filters, for example), you may not need it—but most installs and servicing do.
What qualifications does SA want for an air-con licence?
The trade licensing authority typically looks for trade-level technical evidence—an apprenticeship or a Certificate III in Air-conditioning & Refrigeration (or a recognised equivalent)—and proof that you can do the licence scope. There are several licence classes (occupational, limited, and design) depending on the work you’ll do.
Can I do the whole job (gas, electrical, install) on my own?
This is only possible if you possess all the necessary authorisations. Refrigerant handling requires ARCtick; electrical work requires the correct electrical licence; and contracting/supervising mechanical services requires the licence class for that work. Often, businesses use a team or subcontract specialists to cover each legal requirement.

Ready to Get Certified as a Air conditioning and refrigeration in South Australia?

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