Start My Skills Review

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in Western AustraliaLicence required.

  • ARCtick licence + restricted electrical licence, issued by ARC (ARCtick) + Electrical Licensing Board
  • RPL may not be enough on its own for this licence. Check before you start.
  • A free skills review before you pay anything
An air-conditioning technician checking refrigerant gauges beside an outdoor unit

Licensing for air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians in Western Australia

For air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians installing, maintaining, or repairing air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Here’s what Western Australia asks for.

Licence required

Air-conditioning and refrigeration in Western Australia

ARCtick licence + restricted electrical licence

Issued by
ARC (ARCtick) + Electrical Licensing Board
When you need it
ARCtick to handle refrigerant. WA restricted electrical licence to disconnect, reconnect and fault-find.
What you need
Cert III (UEE32220 or later) plus a WA trade certificate endorsed Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Without an apprenticeship, the trade certificate needs RPL by an RTO approved by the WA Department of Training.

Check the details above before you start: a qualification gained through RPL may not be enough on its own for this licence. We’ll help you confirm with the regulator.

Licensing rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the regulator before you apply.

Your experience in this trade

If you’ve been working in HVAC—installing, maintaining, or repairing air conditioning and refrigeration systems—the right qualifications are essential.

The RTO assesses your experience against the qualification standard. Confirm the separate licence requirements above with the regulator before you apply.

Delivering RTOs

The partner RTO assesses your evidence and issues your qualification.

All qualifications are nationally recognised and issued by our partner RTOs. Qualification availability and partner details are confirmed during your review. For a licence, confirm the exact accepted qualification and units with the regulator; every qualification listed here may not meet those requirements.

How RPL Fits for Air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians in Western Australia

  1. Free skills review

    Tell us about your trade background, years of experience and any certificates you hold. We check which qualification fits and whether your work history suits RPL.

    Already have the qualification? We’ll confirm it’s the right one for your licence and can pass you to Trade Licence Solutions, our trade licensing team, to help prepare your application.

  2. Build your evidence portfolio

    Your RPL it account manager helps you gather a clear portfolio of evidence: resume, job history, photos of work, reference letters, certificates and more.

  3. RTO assessment

    We submit your portfolio to a partner RTO. The RTO may ask for more evidence or a short interview, and, if you are assessed as competent, issues your nationally recognised qualification.

  4. Confirm with the regulator, then apply

    ARC (ARCtick) + Electrical Licensing Board may not accept a qualification gained through RPL on its own (see the details above), so we’ll help you confirm with them first. Then you apply, yourself or through Trade Licence Solutions, our trade licensing team.

Check the details above before you start: a qualification gained through RPL may not be enough on its own for this licence. We’ll help you confirm with the regulator.

RPL it Australia provides guidance and evidence support. The RTO makes the assessment decision; the regulator makes the licence decision.

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)

During your free skills review we’ll give you a tailored evidence checklist, so you only gather what’s needed.

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.

Common Questions About RPL

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in Western Australia: licences, RPL and what the regulator asks for.

Got more questions?
Do air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians need a licence in Western Australia?

Yes. ARCtick to handle refrigerant. WA restricted electrical licence to disconnect, reconnect and fault-find. The licence is the aRCtick licence + restricted electrical licence, issued by ARC (ARCtick) + Electrical Licensing Board.

What do I need to get the licence?

Cert III (UEE32220 or later) plus a WA trade certificate endorsed Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Without an apprenticeship, the trade certificate needs RPL by an RTO approved by the WA Department of Training. Check the details above before you start: a qualification gained through RPL may not be enough on its own for this licence. We’ll help you confirm with the regulator.

Can I get it without completing an apprenticeship?

Not necessarily. Cert III (UEE32220 or later) plus a WA trade certificate endorsed Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Without an apprenticeship, the trade certificate needs RPL by an RTO approved by the WA Department of Training. We’ll help you confirm with ARC (ARCtick) + Electrical Licensing Board before you start.

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.

How long does the RPL process take?

Timing depends on how complete your evidence is and on the RTO’s assessment. After your free skills review, your RPL it consultant can give you an estimate for your trade. The time to get your licence also depends on ARC (ARCtick) + Electrical Licensing Board’s processing time and any other requirements, such as experience, exams or insurance.