The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has issued a warning to split system installation licence holders reminding them of their "restricted" status.
ARC CEO, Glenn Evans, said it is critical that restricted heat pump, split systems – installation and decommissioning licence holders do not work beyond the scope of works permitted on their licence.
“The ARCTick licence scheme is a qualifications-based scheme. That’s how licence holders prove their competency to perform services to the ARC," he said.
"A person with a ‘split system installation’ licence has provided a Certificate II level qualification and the Ozone regulations state this is the requirement to demonstrate their abilities to perform installations of split systems up to 18 Kw.
“They have not demonstrated their ability to perform repairs, servicing or maintenance. That’s the domain of Certificate III level licence holders - and rightly so. They have demonstrated their abilities to perform those services – and that’s what their licence entitles them to do.”
It is an offence to handle refrigeration and air conditioning equipment without an appropriate refrigerant handling licence and a penalty of up to $1,800 may apply.
Working outside the scope of a licence could also result in the cancellation or suspension of a licence.
“Summer is the business-end of the year for our sector so let’s make it a safe, legal and prosperous one for industry and consumers alike,” Evans said.
The ARC is currently undertaking a Cert II review which will be presented to the federal government.