Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Land
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Plant health
    • Drought and rural support
    • Mouse infestation advice
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Water
    Water Improving the sustainable management of Australia’s water resources for agriculture, the environment and communities.
    • Coal, Coal seam gas (CSG) and water
    • Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
    • Water policy and resources
    • Wetlands
    Water matters

    Water Matters

    Keep up with the latest news on the department's work in managing Australia's water resources.

    Read the latest edition here

  • Environment
    Environment Improving stewardship and sustainable management of Australia’s environment.
    • Biodiversity
    • Bushfire recovery
    • Climate change and the environment
    • EPBC Act
    • Environmental information and data
    • International activities
    • Marine
    • Partnerships
    • Protection
    • Report a breach of environment law
    • Threatened species & ecological communities
    • Waste and recycling
  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade Lowering biosecurity risks to Australia, and assisting industry to accelerate growth towards a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Invasive species
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Wildlife trade
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Parks and heritage
    Parks and heritage Managing Australia’s iconic national parks, historic places and living landscapes.
    • Australian Marine Parks
    • Australian National Botanic Gardens
    • Booderee National Park
    • Kakadu National Park
    • Christmas Island National Park
    • National parks
    • Norfolk Island National Park
    • Heritage
    • Pulu Keeling National Park
    • The Great Barrier Reef
    • Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
    The reef

    Great Barrier Reef

    Australia is protecting and conserving this World Heritage Area.

    Find out more

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Climate change
    • Australia's biological resources
    • National Environmental Science Program (NESP)
    • Our science strategy
    • Australian Biological Resource Study (ABRS)
    • State of the Environment (SoE) reporting
    • Bird and bat banding
    • Supervising Scientist
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us Enhancing Australia’s agriculture, environment, heritage and water resources through regulation and partnership.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    A day in the life

    A day in the life...

    Our video series showcases the diverse and important work we do.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Environment
  3. Environment protection
  4. Ozone Depleting Substances and Synthetic Greenhouse Gases
  5. Refrigeration and airconditioning

Sidebar first - EN - Protection

  • Ozone and synthetic greenhouse gases
    • The OPSGG Program
      • Review of the OPSGG Program
    • Legislation
    • Ozone and synthetic greenhouse gas science
      • Ozone layer
      • Polar ozone holes
      • About ozone depleting substances
      • About synthetic greenhouse gases
      • Australian contributions
      • Ozone Science Group
      • Ozone research scholarships
      • Ozone science strategy
      • Resources for students and teachers
    • Import and export licences
      • Forms
      • Reporting and payments
      • Equipment or bulk gas licence
      • Equipment licences (EQPL)
        • Frequently asked questions
        • Importing equipment
        • HCFC pre-charged air conditioners import ban
      • HCFCs
      • HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and NF3
      • Essential Uses Licences
      • Used substances licences
      • Exemptions
      • Licences granted
      • Imports of foam
    • Customs brokers
    • HFC phase-down
      • HFC phase-down FAQ
      • HFC import quota
      • International HFC phase-down
    • Refrigeration and airconditioning
      • Businesses
      • Technicians
      • Consumers
      • Compliance and enforcement
      • Safety considerations
      • List of HFC GWP values
      • New rules on charging RAC equipment
    • Fire protection
    • Montreal Protocol
      • Register of Montreal Protocol Countries
      • Ozone protection milestones
      • Montreal Protocol graphs
    • Methyl bromide
      • Quarantine and pre-shipment
      • Non-QPS fumigations
      • Feedstock use of methyl bromide
      • Laboratory and analytical use
      • Importing, exporting and manufacturing
      • Regulations controlling methyl bromide
    • National Halon Bank
      • Australian Halon Management Strategy
      • Halon disposal
      • Halon purchases
      • Halon essential use exemptions
      • Halon recycling, reclaiming and other services
      • History and achievements
      • Technology and process
      • Waste halon to useful plastics
    • Ozone publications and resources

Refrigeration and airconditioning

Latest news

The latest report in the Cold Hard Facts series is now available. Cold Hard Facts 2021 analyses data from 2020 to identify key developments and emerging trends in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

  • Cold Hard Facts 2021

The report details common faults identified in both residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The report also lists the impacts of these faults and recommendations with the potential to significantly reduce electricity use and cost, refrigerant leaks and emissions.

  • Leaks, maintenance and emissions in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment

Refrigeration, both cooling and freezing, has an important role to play in minimising Australia’s food waste and maximising the value of food production. This study provides a baseline understanding of issues in the cold food chain and indicates opportunities to reduce food waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • A study of waste in the cold food chain and opportunities for improvement

Application fees for refrigerant handling licences and refrigerant trading authorisations increased from 1 January 2022.

Fees are indexed annually, based on the wage price index published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Catalogue 6345.0). Fee indexation is set out in Regulation 346 of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995.

The relevant wage price index figures rose 2.227% between September 2020 and September 2021. Refrigeration and air conditioning permit application fees will increase by 2.227% from 1 January 2022.

The fees for 2021 and 2022 are:

Permit type Year (s) 2021 Application fee 2022 Application Fee
Refrigerant handling licence 1 $78 $80
2 $156 $160
3 $234 $240
Restricted refrigerant handling licence 1 $78 $80
2 $156 $160
3 $234 $240
Refrigeration and air conditioning trainee licence 1 $33 $34
Refrigerant trading authorisation 1 $248 $254
2 $496 $508
3 $744 $762
Restricted refrigerant trading authorisation 1 $78 $80
2 $156 $160
3 $234 $240

The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas program is administered on a cost-recovery basis, with application fee amounts intended to address the costs incurred by the Department in administering the permit scheme. The fees are adjusted annually consistent with the wage price index, to ensure they remain in line with general cost increases across the program and broader economy.

Permit Duration

The default duration for refrigerant handling licences and refrigerant trading authorisations are three years, and one year for trainee refrigerant handling licences. You can apply for a licence or authorisation of a shorter or longer duration, up to a maximum of three years, by contacting the ARC via email at enquire@arctick.org

For more information on permit fees, or on applying for refrigerant handling licences or refrigerant trading authorisations, visit the Australian Refrigeration Council's website at www.arctick.org

National regulations

There are national regulations applying to people who acquire, possess, dispose of or handle ozone depleting substances (ODSs) or synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry.

Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, persons who handle these substances in bulk or in equipment, and people who work on equipment containing these gases, are required to hold a Refrigerant Handling Licence.

Companies or persons who acquire, possess or dispose of these substances are required to hold a Refrigerant Trading Authorisation.

Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC)

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is appointed as the Industry Board to administer these licences and authorisations. More information regarding the licensing system is available on the ARC website.

  • ARC web site

A list of refrigerant trading authorisations can be found by using the ARC authorised business search.

  • ARC authorised business search

Information tailored for you:

Consumers
For information related to buying, maintaining or decommissioning air conditioners, refrigerators and other refrigeration and air conditioning equipment; how to find a licensed technician in your area; find out more about ozone, climate change and refrigerant gases.

Technicians
For information related to refrigerant handling, in bulk or in equipment (e.g. air conditioners, refrigerators); Refrigerant Handling Licences; Transitional Licences.

Businesses
For information related to acquiring, possessing or disposing of refrigerants; the manufacture of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment; Refrigerant Trading Authorisations.

Importers / Exporters
Licences and reporting requirements for the import, export and manufacture of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG).

Customs brokers

Training information; key facts to remember; resources including a list of questions to ask importers, licence requirements, safety, exemptions, and more.

Related information

  • Cold Hard Facts 2021
  • Quick Facts – HCFC gas and HCFC equipment
  • Natural refrigerants case studies

Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC)

  • ARC website
  • ARC authorised business search

Importing refrigeration and air conditioning

  • Importing cars, boats, caravans and fridges
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 08 February 2022

© Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.