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Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Apprenticeship
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration mechanics keep homes comfortable, food fresh and businesses running - from split systems in homes to cool rooms, supermarket refrigeration and large commercial systems.
What you can expect on the job
It’s a trade that combines mechanical and electrical skills, with work across homes, shops, offices and industrial sites.
Install split system, ducted and commercial air conditioning
Service and repair refrigeration systems, cool rooms and freezers
Diagnose faults in mechanical and electrical components
Handle, recover and recharge refrigerants safely
Commission new systems and test their performance
On the tools
Where you could be working
The trade splits into two broad areas, and your host employer shapes which one you spend your days in.
Domestic & Light Commercial
Air conditioning in homes and smaller commercial sites. Split and ducted systems, with the work spread across roof spaces, ceilings, outdoor units and switchboards.
Typical Sites
Homes, light commercial, roof spaces, outdoor units, ceiling spaces, plant decks, switchboards
Commercial Refrigeration
Keeping supermarkets, cold rooms and commercial kitchens running. Plant rooms, roof plant and service corridors, usually on sites that stay open while you work.
Typical Sites
Supermarkets, cold rooms, plant rooms, commercial kitchens, roof plant, service corridors
Not sure which suits you? Tell us in your application and we’ll talk it through at your interview.
Your qualification
Qualification
Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (UEE32220)
DURATION
Usually around four years full-time
TRAINING
On the job, plus trade school blocks
TRADE SCHOOL FEES
Paid for by TAPS
PPE
Provided by TAPS
Depending on your host employer, you may also be eligible for up to $10K through the Key Apprenticeship Program. Qualification details: CPC32420 on training.gov.au
Pathway slider
Drag through your apprenticeship.
Year 1 - indicative weekly wage
$530
Where you start on day one
Finding your feet
What you'll be learning
Refrigerant handling, brazing and split-system basics.
Level of responsibility
Assisting on installs and services under supervision.
Indicative figures only. Wages vary by award, age and prior qualifications.
Your apprenticeship, year by year
Year 1
Learn the basics
Safety, tools and refrigeration principles. You'll assist on installs and services and start trade school.Year 2
Build your skills
Take on more installation and servicing work, including the electrical side of systems.Year 3
Step up
Work more independently on diagnostics, repairs and commercial systems.Year 4
Finish strong
Complete your final training and assessments and earn your qualification.Licences you’ll need
To handle refrigerants, you’ll need a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC).
Because the trade includes electrical work, you’ll also need the right electrical registration from Consumer and Business Services (CBS) for the work you do.
Is Air Conditioning & Refrigeration right for you?
You like a mix of mechanical and electrical work
You enjoy diagnosing problems and figuring out how things work
You like working on different sites, not the same place every day
You’re good with people - you’ll often work in customers’ homes and businesses