Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$107,600
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assembles, installs, maintains and repairs industrial, commercial and domestic air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment that can contain refrigerant gases and liquids.
Alternative titles
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
Scope note: Mechanical Services Plumbers are excluded from this occupation. Mechanical Services Plumbers are included in Occupation 363933 Mechanical Services Plumber.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Installs air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment in industrial, commercial and domestic settings
- Assembles components and parts to construct air conditioning and refrigeration systems
- Repairs and maintains air conditioning and refrigeration components such as compressors, motors, condensers, evaporators and pumps
- Repairs and maintains air conditioning and refrigeration lines used for refrigerant, liquids and gases in the air conditioning, heating or cooling process
- Tests operational air conditioning and refrigeration systems to prevent breakdowns and ensure optimal performance
- Fills systems with gas or fluid to check for leaks, and removes gas and fluids with vacuum pumps
- Recovers and fills refrigerant in air conditioning and refrigeration systems
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Occupation ready
Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Occupation ready
Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
Occupation ready
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Occupation ready
Advanced Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Appliance Service
Progression pathway
Diploma of Engineering Technology - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Split Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Engineering
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrical - Air Conditioning Split Systems
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Servicing
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Air-conditioning Systems Energy Management and Control
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
136
ACT · May 2026
9
VIC · May 2026
76
NT · May 2026
12
SA · May 2026
27
NSW · May 2026
119
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+2%
685 projected jobs
to 2035
+7%
1,951 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Logan - Beaudesert
1,358 estimated employed
- 1
Logan - Beaudesert
1,358 employed
QLD
+1.12%
year on year
- 2
Gold Coast
1,347 employed
QLD
+6.9%
year on year
- 3
Perth - North West
1,299 employed
WA
-8.52%
year on year
- 4
Sydney - Inner South West
1,212 employed
NSW
-6.91%
year on year
- 5
Sydney - South West
1,142 employed
NSW
-0.52%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
20,430
Moved in from another occupation
2,115
Moved to another occupation
1,480
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 382131
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.