Does an HVAC business need an ARC handling licence, trading authorisation, or both?

Side by side

Both are issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). Scope matters, so match each person and the business to the right type.

Sources[1][2]

Full and restricted licences

RAC01 is the full licence for air conditioning and refrigeration work other than the automotive industry. RSS03 is a restricted licence for installing and decommissioning certain split systems and two-part heat pumps. Check the entitlement before you assign a job.

The common RTA covers businesses acquiring, storing or disposing of refrigerant, including sole traders, contractors and wholesalers. ARC lists separate authorisation types for equipment manufacturing and restricted recovery activities.

Sources[1][2]

Owner check

List who handles refrigerant and match each to a licence type. Then ask whether the business, or you as a sole trader, buys, stores or disposes of it. These pages deal only with refrigerant. They do not cover electrical or plumbing licensing, which you check separately with your state regulator.

Sources[1][2]

Common questions

What is a refrigerant trading authorisation?

An authorisation issued by ARC that must be held by any individual or business buying, storing or disposing of fluorocarbon refrigerant, under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995.[2]

How to get an arc licence?

Choose the licence type that matches your work, then start an application on the ARC website with evidence of a qualification listed for that type. Certificates must include a statement of results. Fees are on the ARC site.[1]