Wednesday, 12 February 2020

MEDIA RELEASE

QLD risks consumers with new sub-standard RAC licence

Queensland consumers and refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians are at risk with changes to the Queensland Mechanical Services Regulations introduced on 1st January 2020.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) recently updated the Mechanical Services Regulations which could potentially allow technicians to obtain a state-based, mechanical services – air conditioning and refrigeration licence without demonstrating appropriate RAC qualifications.

The major issue is that one of the qualifications required for the QLD licence does not specify any refrigeration or air conditioning units. The Full ARCTick refrigeration and air conditioning licence does specify RAC units, and is the national licence which many States already align with, supporting the way industry works while achieving environmental and consumer protection outcomes.

In essence, QLD are promoting a RAC licence without RAC-specific competencies. Not only that, it will encourage illegal activity and sub-standard RAC work, jeopardising the safety of technicians and consumers.

Thankfully an ARCTick licence is still required for RAC systems operating on fluorocarbon refrigerants, irrespective of whether the QLD licence is obtained.

The ARC has called on the QBCC to incorporate RAC competencies in their RAC licence by aligning their QLD licence with the qualification requirements of the ARCTick Full RAC licence for the units of competency required in the MEM30205 (Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade Refrigeration and Air conditioning) or MEM31319 (Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air conditioning) qualifications.

For further information, please contact Alex Doran, General Manager, Communications and Business Development at the ARC on 03 9843 1601 or email adoran@arctick.org