Three Licenses Required Air Conditioning Installations

Installing an air conditioning system is a highly regulated process. While many companies claim to be "installers," very few hold all 3 Required Licenses required to complete Multi-Split, VRF, Ducted and Single head installations.

At EZYAIR, our in-house technicians hold unrestricted Refrigerant, Electrical, and Plumbing licenses, ensuring your transition to an electric home is legal, safe and efficient.

1. The Core Pillar: Refrigerant Handling & Mechanical Expertise

In air conditioning installations, the Refrigeration Mechanic is the lead professional. Because air conditioners rely on high-pressure synthetic gases that are potent greenhouse gases, the Australian Refrigeration Council strictly regulates who can work on what systems.

Section 1: The RAC01 (Unrestricted) License

All EZYAIR installations are led by technicians holding the RAC01 Unrestricted Refrigerant Handling Licence. This is the "Gold Standard" of the trade, requiring a four-year apprenticeship and a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

• RAC01 can do: Legally qualified to design, install, commission, service, and repair any air conditioning system of any capacity.

• Scope: This includes wall-hung splits, VRF, multi-head systems, ducted reverse cycle units, and large-scale commercial plants.

• The EZYAIR Advantage: RAC01 Refrigeration Mechanics understand the science of the refrigeration cycle, ensuring your system operates at peak efficiency and operated for the longest possible lifespan. EZYAIR Technicians can also We service and maintain all systems we have installed.

Section 2: The RSS03 License (The Restricted Installer)

Many Electricians hold an RSS03 Restricted Licence. This is a vastly inferior to the RAC01 qualification what Electricians obtain usually through through a short course or online.

• What RSS03 License holders CANNOT do:

  • They cannot install Multi-Split Systems.
    
    

  • They cannot install VRF Systems.

  • They cannot install Ducted systems.

  • They cannot repair or maintain any air conditioner (including the ones they installed).

  • They cannot add or charge refrigerant to a system.

Section 3: The "Refrigerant Trading Authority" confusion

A common point of confusion is the RTA (Refrigerant Trading Authorisation) loophole that exists because a RTA is not a qualification of skill - It allows a company to legally purchase refrigerants without a RAC01 technician being nominateed as a technical supervisor

As a result, companies who only employ RSS03 License holders are prohibited from:

• Charging or "Topping Up" Systems: Even if they own the refrigerant via an RTA, an RSS03 holder cannot legally add it to a system that has leaked or lost charge.

• Repairing the Refrigeration Circuit: They cannot legally perform the "break into" repairs required to fix a faulty unit's refrigerant lines.

• Installing Complex Systems: RSS03 remain restricted to installing single-head split systems up to 18kW. They cannot add the additional refrigerant required for complex installations.

EZYAIR holds a Refrigerant Trading Authority (AU25526) and employs a team of in-house technicians who hold RAC01 Licences. This means EZYAIR is a multi-trade company qualified for all air conditioning system design, installation and maintenance projects.

For more information specific to RSS03 Vs RAC01 licensing, please see the Australian Refrigeration Council Fact Sheet 13 here.

2. The Electrical Pillar

While the Refrigeration Mechanic is the lead, an 'A Grade Electrician' and also a 'Registered Electrical Contractor' is required to ensure the system is safely electrically installed into your home's power supply and insured to protect your home.

• EZYAIR is Registered Electrical Contractor (REC: 20559) and we employ a dedicated team of A Grade Electricians for installation of dedicated circuits and safety switches with every installation as required by Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) 

• Why it matters: Every Air conditioning / Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) job must be Certified as Electrically safe. This is a requirement for protecting your house, your family and your warranty.

• As Registered Electrical Contractors, EZYAIR provides a CoES (Certificate of Electrical Safety) for every installation.

3. The Plumbing Pillar

The physical installation, structural mounting, and water drainage of an air conditioner fall under the jurisdiction of the Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC).

• EZYAIR holds a full Air Conditioning VBC license. This ensures all condensation drainage is correctly trapped and discharged.

• BPC Compliance Certificate: For all air conditioning work, we provides a Compliance Certificate from the BPC. This is a legal document that restricted or unlicensed installers simply cannot provide - and is a requirement not only for warranty but for home insurance.

Summary: Why the "Inaugural Awards" Matter

Our commitment to technical compliance has led to EZYAIR being the first company in Australia to receive the Environmental Stewardship Excellence Award and the first company in Australia to become a Retail Partner of the Australian Refrigeration Council.  This 

Whether you are using the VEU program to go electric or installing a high-capacity ducted system, you can trust that EZYAIR holds all specific licenses in-house to do the job right the first time.

Conclusion

This is a brief overview of the Australian Refrigeration Council Licensing Scheme in Australia and should be referenced when considering the right contractor to install, maintain and warranty an air conditioner. 

At EZYAIR, we always endeavour to provide our customers with the most interesting and relevant information to help them to make an informed decision. If you would like more information:

• Please contact us here 
• Call 1300 EZYAIR (1300 399 247) Monday to Friday, 9 to 5pm.