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HomeCoursesManufacturing and process operationsCertificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

This trade qualification trains you to install, service and repair the refrigeration and air conditioning systems found in homes, shops, offices and food storage facilities.

Illustration of a person working as air conditioning technician
  • Duration: 3 years to 4 years
  • Study mode: On campus
  • Course code: UEE32225

Where you can study this course

Where

  • TAFE NSW

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    3 years to 4 years
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    $16,980
    Eligible students: subsidised from $3,300, concession $240

    What students say

    Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.

  • Charles Darwin University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    12 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.

  • RMIT University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    15 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students often find organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some praise the facilities and campus and student support.

  • TAFE Queensland

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    6 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Not stated by provider
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    What students say

    Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

  • TAFE SA

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    26 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.

  • Box Hill Institute

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    4 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students speak highly of the trainers and teaching, with the campus and facilities also well regarded. Many found student support frustrating, along with organisation and communication.

  • Central Queensland University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    18 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    A number of students praise the student support and campus facilities, while many found the organisation and admin frustrating and some had trouble with the enrolment process. Opinions are mixed on student support.

  • gotafe

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    Wangaratta - Docker Street
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Block release on campus
    Full fee
    $22,176

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

  • Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
  • Yes. Finishing this qualification meets the training requirements for a national Refrigerant Handling Licence, which is required to work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that carries the risk of a fluorocarbon refrigerant being emitted. Additional conditions may apply in some jurisdictions.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:

  • an interest in how cooling and heating systems work
  • a careful and safety focused approach to handling refrigerants
  • good hand skills for pipework, fittings and electrical work
  • problem solving skills for finding and fixing faults

What will you learn?

You learn to handle refrigerants safely, read and work from plans, run pipework and controls, and fault find on single and three phase motors, working through the electrical and safety rules that apply on site. Most people take it on as an apprenticeship, because the hands-on side has to be learned on real jobs under a contract of training. Finishing it meets the training requirements for a national Refrigerant Handling Licence, and with the restricted electrical units it covers the electrical work needed on most refrigeration equipment.

  • Handling refrigerants safely
  • Refrigeration pipework and fittings
  • Installing and servicing air conditioning
  • Medium and low temperature systems
  • Fault finding and repairs
  • Working from plans and diagrams

Units of competency (27 core)

Everyone completes these core units. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for UEECD0007…

Career pathways

Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.

Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).