Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship
An Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship is a paid, nationally accredited training pathway that prepares you to assemble, install, service and repair industrial, commercial and domestic refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Apprentices train for around four years on the job while completing the UEE32225 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
A qualified air conditioning and refrigeration technician (often referred to as a "fridgie") is a key part of the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) industry. Demand for HVAC technicians is climbing every year, driven by the growing need for climate control across homes, offices, supermarkets, hospitals, data centres and industrial facilities.
It's a varied trade for people with investigative minds who enjoy hands-on work spanning electrical diagnostics, plumbing, sheet metalwork and mechanical systems.
What Does an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Do?
The role covers several key responsibilities across installation, servicing and repair of HVAC and refrigeration systems:
Installation: Setting up and installing new air conditioning and refrigeration systems, including assembling components such as compressors, motors, evaporators and pipework, and ensuring everything is correctly connected, sealed and secured.
Maintenance: Performing routine checks and servicing on existing systems to keep them running efficiently and safely. This includes cleaning filters, checking refrigerant levels, testing electrical components and confirming all parts are in good working condition.
Repair: Diagnosing and fixing faults in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, ranging from minor adjustments and part replacements to complex repairs involving electrical systems, control circuits and refrigerant handling.
System design and modification: Experienced technicians may help design systems for new installations or modify existing systems to improve efficiency, capacity or compliance with updated regulations.
The work spans residential, commercial and industrial settings, including supermarket refrigeration, cold storage, marine refrigeration and large-scale building HVAC.
How Long is an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship?
An air conditioning and refrigeration apprenticeship typically takes four years to complete.
You'll be paid to work and gain hands-on experience under qualified technicians, alongside studying for your UEE32225 Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration at TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation.
On successful completion, you'll be qualified to apply for a Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick) through the Australian Refrigeration Council, which is legally required to handle refrigerants in Australia. Depending on the scope of work and your state or territory, a restricted or full electrical licence may also be required.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Salary
A qualified air conditioning and refrigeration technician in Australia in 2026 typically earns between $80,000 and $100,000 per year, with higher salaries possible depending on the industry, specialisation and location. (Seek)
As an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprentice, you'll typically be paid under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award or an EBA provided by your employer. Apprentice wages step up each year of your apprenticeship. Your weekly pay depends on whether you've completed Year 12, whether you're an adult apprentice, any EBA terms, employer or host benefits, and any government support you're eligible for.
Indicative Award wages for an air conditioning and refrigeration apprentice as at 1 July 2025, ranging from 1st year to 4th year:
- Junior apprentice, did not complete Year 12: $595.51 to $962.35 per week
- Junior apprentice, completed Year 12: $652.82 to $962.35 per week
- Adult apprentice (21 years and over): $939.42 to $1,038.16 per week
(Source: Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000025) Rates include industry allowance, tool allowance and electrician's licence allowance.
Air conditioning qualifications are included on the Government's Australian Apprenticeship Priority List, providing additional financial assistance to eligible apprentices.
Skills and Requirements
To succeed as a fridgie apprentice, you'll need a mix of technical and practical attributes:
Mechanical aptitude: Confidence using tools and equipment, and a natural feel for how mechanical systems work
Problem-solving skills: Diagnosing HVAC faults often involves working through complex electrical and mechanical issues to find the cause
Attention to detail: Precision matters in this trade, since small mistakes in installation or servicing can lead to system failures or safety risks
Physical fitness: HVAC work can be physically demanding, with lifting, working at heights, in confined spaces and outdoors in varied conditions
Technical aptitude: A willingness to learn new technologies and systems as the HVAC industry evolves, particularly with the growing use of smart controls and energy-efficient refrigerants
Safety consciousness: Working with electricity, refrigerants and pressurised systems requires strict adherence to safety protocols
Career Pathways After Your Apprenticeship
An air conditioning and refrigeration qualification opens doors across a wide range of industries and specialisations, including:
- Commercial and industrial HVAC contracting
- Supermarket and cold storage refrigeration
- Data centre and critical environment cooling
- Marine refrigeration
- Mining and resources HVAC
- Building automation and smart controls
- Energy efficiency and sustainability consulting
- Site supervision, project management and estimating
- Self-employment as an HVAC contractor
Once you're qualified, your trade travels with you. HVAC technicians are needed across every state and territory, and demand continues to grow as climate control becomes essential to more parts of the economy.
Find an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship
Build a career with a bright future by applying for an air conditioning and refrigeration apprenticeship with MIGAS. Browse our Jobs Board for current roles, or register with us to receive updates when an apprenticeship matches your interests.