Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Turn your hands-on HVAC experience into a legal Victorian licence. If you install, service, or repair air conditioning, split systems, ducted systems, or refrigeration equipment in Victoria, you must hold the correct ARCtick and Victorian registration and licence to work legally. Start with a 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 Victoria, air-conditioning and refrigeration work is regulated under both state law and national refrigerant rules. If you handle refrigerants or work on air-conditioning systems, you must be licensed or registered and hold an ARCtick. RPL it Australia makes the process easier and helps you all the way through, from checking your skills to getting your licence.

Delivering RTO

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

Why Get Your Air conditioning and refrigeration Trade Licensed in Victoria?

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 Victoria 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 Victoria.

Share your experience in the air conditioning field, detailing the number of years you have been active in the industry, along with any qualifications or licences you possess.

This consultation verifies the appropriate licensing pathway in Victoria and outlines the next steps.

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 fulfil the qualifications necessary for obtaining your 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 Victorian Building Authority 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 Victoria.

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 Victoria?
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 Victorian 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 the 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 have to go back to TAFE to become qualified?
No. Your work history is assessed through RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning). An authorised training organisation (RTO) reviews what you already do on the job and matches it with trade units.
What qualification do I need?
Most air-conditioning and refrigeration tradies are issued UEE32220 – Certificate III in Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration. This qualification is the primary requirement for applying for a Victorian licence and obtaining your ARCtick.
Once I’m qualified, what licences do I apply for?
After your Certificate III is issued, you can apply for:- Victorian Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Licence or Registration - ARCtick Refrigerant Handling Licence Both are required to legally work on air-conditioning systems in Victoria.
What does this allow me to do?
Once approved, you can legally:- Install split systems and ducted air-conditioning - Service and repair AC units - Handle and recover refrigerant gas - Work on residential and commercial HVAC systems

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

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