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Advocacy / Focus areas / Professionalism and safety

Advocacy

Professionalism and safety

The HVAC&R industry operates under a wide range of legislation and regulatory requirements and regimes from all levels of government. AIRAH informs and works with all regulators to help bring an HVAC&R voice to the development of the environmental, energy, building, WHS, plumbing, electrical and health regulations that impact the HVAC&R industry.

Professional registration of engineers

AIRAH is supporting the establishment of professional registration schemes around Australia through its AIRAH Professional Engineers Register (APER) program. This is the professional accreditation for engineers operating in the HVAC&R industry and is designed to meet the requirements of the state-based schemes. We are also providing feedback to regulators to ensure that the regulations effectively support and strengthen Australia’s HVAC&R industry, as well as the wider building and construction industry.

Mentorship

Through our mentorship program, AIRAH is supporting the development of a high-quality, diverse and inclusive sector. The program assists our members in building relationships, strengthening industry, and creating cross-generational influence.

HVAC&R licensing

AIRAH supports a nationally consistent licensing scheme focused on the trade covering the applications of all refrigerants in all sectors, and that establishes refrigeration and air conditioning as a trade of its own, separate to electrical and plumbing. We represent the trade in state and territory consultations on occupational licensing.

Industry training

AIRAH is committed to providing the tools to advance the knowledge and skills of HVAC&R professionals via our education and training offerings, and raising awareness of changing legislation and regulatory requirements.

Recent professionalism and safety updates

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Federal Budget 2026 AIRAH Media Release For Immediate Release

AIRAH has responded to the federal government’s call for pre-Budget submissions. Our suggestions are in line with our three advocacy focus areas.

AIRAH Pre-Budget Submission 2026

AIRAH has responded to the federal government’s call for pre-Budget submissions. Our suggestions are in line with our three advocacy focus areas.

Prioritising health, wellbeing and productivity at work

AIRAH has made a submission to Safe Work Australia on the draft model Code of Practice for managing the risks of biological hazards at work.

Strengthening national licensing and standards

AIRAH has provided feedback to the Productivity Commission on its interim recommendations for national occupational licensing and standards.

Australians give a green light to tackle the big challenges

AIRAH has mapped out the policies, processes and projects it believes government should support in the next Federal Budget.

Dear election winners: Let’s get to work!

AIRAH has mapped out the policies, processes and projects it believes government should support in the next Federal Budget.

Licensing reform in Tasmania

In early April, AIRAH organised industry meetings in Hobart and Launceston to gauge HVAC&R stakeholders' attitudes towards licensing for refrigeration and air conditioning.

The path forward for RAC licensing in Tasmania

AIRAH, ARC, and stakeholders are meeting to discuss RAC licensing framework changes in Tasmania.