Contracting

The Federal Government has doubled support for apprentices working in construction under the new Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP).

Keyton has showcased Australia’s first Passive House built in a retirement village.

Aussie Solar Batteries has entered into a landmark research partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to develop next-generation, AI-enabled energy systems.

Insulation Australasia and the Australian Modern Building Alliance (AMBA) have united to create a powerful national voice advocating safer, compliant and independently certified insulation.

DuraPlus is expanding its popular PolarPan condensate management line with new 30×30 and 32×42 sizes, giving HVAC contractors additional fit options.

Australia has reached a major milestone in sustainable construction with NABERS awarding the nation’s first Embodied Carbon rating.

Imported building products are being dumped on the Australian market wiping out local businesses, according to the Building Products Industry Council (BPIC).

National AI plan

The federal government has announced a $7 billion boost to Australia’s AI ecosystem which includes the construction of a next generation data centre in western Sydney.

US trade body, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), has appointed Frank Wall as the organisation’s new CEO, effective January 20, 2026.

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has launched a national pilot program to strengthen industry education and support licence holders.

New MD at Bosch

Gavin Smith, president of Bosch Oceania since 2011, and with an accomplished 35 years in total with the Bosch Group, has left the company.

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has launched a new ‘Report a Breach’ form on the ARCtick web site.

Accelsius, the leader in two-phase, direct-to-chip liquid cooling for AI and high-performance computing, has entered into an agreement to deploy its technology at a new 300MW AI data centre campus in Ontario, Canada.

Beijer Ref has acquired Key Refrigeration Supply and Dennis Supply Company, both HVACR distributors based in the United States.

Fully funded training and certification for installers has been made available to retrofit ceiling insulation in Victorian homes under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

RectorSeal, a leading manufacturer of high-quality HVACR and plumbing tools and accessories, has expanded its extensive product lineup by acquiring MARS Parts, composed of both Global, the Source, and MARS' parts and accessories division.