Refrigerant Handling Licenses - Who Licensed to do what?

RAC01 Vs RSS03 - Who Licensed to do what?

As refrigerants used in air conditioners are made up of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and Hydrofluorocarbon’s (HFC’s) that deplete the Earths’ Ozone Layer, Australia signed the Montreal Protocol with the United Nations and introduced the Federal Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations back in 1995.

As a result, the Australian Department of Environment and Energy incorporated the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). The ARC is the Federal organisation to License air conditioning technicians with ‘Refrigerant Handling Licenses’ to work with HFC and CFC refrigerants in accordance with Federal and International Standards.

Due to the very high GWP (Global Warming Potential) of CFC and HFC refrigerants, it is important that air conditioning technicians are properly qualified and licensed in order to reduce the amount of HFC and CFC refrigerants which are ventilated into the atmosphere by unqualified or untrained technicians.

Two types of Refrigerant Handling Licenses - RAC01 and RSS03.

There only are only two types of Refrigerant Handling Licenses that permit individuals to undertake work with air conditioners and heat pumps in Australia. They are:

RAC01 - Unrestricted Refrigeration and Air conditioning Licence (Full)

RSS03 - Restricted (Single Head Split Systems)

What’s the difference betwen RAC01 and RSS03?

RAC01 - Is an Unrestricted Licence. Technicians with a RAC01 License hold a qualification of UEE3221 or equivalent. This is usually gained through a 4 year apprenticeship in air conditioning and Refrigeration.

RAC01 technicians are experts in not only in Thermodynamics, but specifically vapour compression refrigeration systems and are licensed to install, service, maintain and repair any air conditioning system - of any capacity.

RSS03 - Is a Restricted Licence. Technicians with a RSS03 License hold a qualification of UEE20111 or equivalent. This qualification can be gained via an online course and 2 days of technical training.

As a result, a RSS03 licence holder is not permitted to work on any multi-split system, not permitted to work on any ducted air conditioning system, not permitted to repair any air conditioner, not permitted to maintain any air conditioner, not permitted to add HFC or CFC refrigerant to any air conditioning system after installation and are not permitted to work on anything other than the installation of a single head split system, under 18kW in capacity.

If an RSS03 License holder has a problem (for example: refrigerant loss, which has ventilated the CFC and HFC refrigerant into the atmosphere) the RSS03 license holder is required (by Federal Law) to contract a RAC01 License holder to rectify, repair or maintain the air conditioner they have just installed.

What about Multi-Split & Ducted Air Conditioners?

In Australia, any multi-split or ducted air conditioning system must be installed by a technician with a RAC01 License. RSS03 (restricted) License holders are not qualified to install any multi-split or ducted units and to do so, is also a breach of the Federal Law. It is important to note that any installation of multi-split and ducted systems by a RSS03 License holder will render the manufacturer's warranty void.

Conclusion

The above is just a brief overview of the Refrigerant Handling Licensing Scheme in Australia and one must be referenced when considering the right contractor to install an air conditioner.

Please see the Australian Refrigeration Council Fact Sheet 13 here or call EZYAIR on 1300 EZYAIR (1300 399 247) or visit www.ezyair.com.au for more information.