The Queensland Government has finalised its mechanical services licensing framework which will be introduced on January 1, 2020.
According to the Decision Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), all refrigeration and air conditioning work must be undertaken by a person with Certificate III qualifications.
However, technicians with Certificate II qualifications can still install single head split air conditioning systems if they have a national refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC).
The consultation RIS, which closed in July, received 60 responses during the consultation period.
According to the Decision RIS the new licensing framework is being introduced to protect people who work and live in high rise apartments and office buildings.
“These buildings are more likely to have larger, more complex systems which, if incorrectly installed and maintained, pose higher risks of fire, poor ventilation, exposure to harmful gases, bacteria and inadequate acoustic controls,” the RIS said.
“The licensing framework recognises that mechanical services work involves working with dangerous elements, such as hydrocarbon refrigerants, and directly impacts the comfort, health and safety of the people who use medical gas and mechanical services systems such as air conditioning systems.”