NSW Vocational Training Tribunal

Refrigeration / Air
Conditioning Mechanic
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR
TRADE RECOGNITION APPLICANTS

March 2006

INTRODUCTION
A Refrigeration / Air Conditioning Mechanic installs, tests, commissions, maintains, fault
finds, repairs and replaces components on a range of domestic, commercial and
industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems, including refrigerators, freezers,
coolrooms, freezer rooms, cabinets, split air conditioners, package units and central
plant air conditioning systems.
If you are seeking trade recognition as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
you must provide evidence that you have successfully complete a recognised course,
module or unit of competency on the safe handling of refrigerants in Australia.
That means that you must have completed either of the following (or equivalent):
Recognised Training Course: CFC/HCFC Accreditation course required for
State/Territory CFC/HCFC User Authorisation, prior to 1st July 2005
National module:
NR03 Refrigerants
Unit of Competence: MEM18.86A Test, Evacuate and Charge Refrigerants.
Unit of Competence: UEENEE008A Recover, Pressure and Leak Test, Evacuate
and Charge Refrigeration Systems
You must also provide evidence of practical experience, training and/or qualifications in
the form of:

Work related reference from employer/s, provided by a qualified Refrigeration & Air
Conditioning Mechanic, detailing the description of work performed, procedures
applied and tools and equipment used. Must be on letter-head, signed and dated.
Testimonials from employers or clients attesting to trade skills and experience.
Employment records, supported by Tax Returns or Group certificates detailing
employment classification and periods of employment on trade work.
Formal trade training records, certificates or skill profiling records or reports.
Formal workplace appraisals of trade work performed.
Work experience record books.
Job log book or Job journal.
Job cards or job diary or work invoices.
Photographic evidence.

or
Other methods that provide sufficient detail of trade experience.

This guide is designed to provide you with information and to assist you with your
application for trade recognition.
It contains the following:
trade recognition process
trade test process
trade test details

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This information is provided to assist you to self assess your practical trade skills and
experience against the requirements of the trade and will help you to prepare and
provide appropriate and sufficient evidence in support of your application.

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TRADE RECOGNITION ASSESSMENT PROCESS

You have considered the information provided in this guide and the
requirements for trade recognition.
You must lodge your application including all the supporting evidence
to the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit (VTTU) or State Training
Centre (STC) with the required application fee.

If all the evidence required has been included, your application is

submitted to the Vocational Training Tribunal (VTT) for assessment.

The VTT assesses the application by considering the evidence you

have provided.

The VTT may determine to:

approve your application or
refuse your application or
invite you for an interview to obtain more information or
arrange further investigation/assessment of your trade skills by a
DET Officer or an Industry Expert, at your workplace or
request that you undertake a trade test.
(for details on the trade test procedures see page 4)

If your application is approved, the NSW Department of Education and Training

(DET) will issue one of the following forms of certification:
Certificate of Proficiency - is issued if you have satisfied the VTT that
you have been working in the trade for at least 4 years, have gained
appropriate and sufficient industry experience and you have been
awarded a relevant qualification by a Registered Training Organisation.
Craft Certificate - is issued if you have satisfied the VTT that you have
been working in the trade for at least 4 years, have gained appropriate
and sufficient industry experience but you have not been awarded a
relevant qualification by a Registered Training Organisation.

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TRADE TEST PROCESS

The VTT advises you that you are required to
undertake a trade test and to pay the required fee if
you wish to proceed with your application for trade
recognition.
Upon receipt of your payment, the VTT advises TAFE
NSW to organise the trade test.
TAFE will send you details of the trade test
requirements and a relevant information package.

You are encouraged to attend the trade test

information / orientation session which will be
organised for you by the relevant TAFE College.

If you accept to undertake the trade test you are

required to attend on the scheduled date at the
relevant TAFE College.

Following the trade test, the TAFE College will submit

its report on your performance to the VTT.

If you were
successful

The VTT will issue you

with Craft Certificate

If you were
unsuccessful

Your application will be

refused and you will be
advised of additional
training that you may be
required to undertake.

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TRADE TEST DETAILS

The trade test for Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Mechanics is designed to assess an
applicants general core trade skills that every Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Mechanic
should have, no matter where they were trained. It does not test the local, State or
Australian Codes, Acts or Regulations requirements. It assesses for example, whether
the applicant can safely handle refrigerants that is, fit service gauges, charge
refrigerant, leak test, etc. but not specifically the local regulations and codes that apply
to them in New South Wales.
The assessment is 5 hours in duration and is made up of the following assessment
events:
1. Knowledge - Theory Test:
It covers the following:
safe working procedures for refrigeration / air conditioning systems
refrigeration / air conditioning system components and system operation
refrigeration / air conditioning system design conditions
fault finding and testing of refrigeration / air conditioning systems
oil /refrigerant identification and compatibility
refrigerant pressure / temperature charts
refrigeration / air conditioning system protection methods, procedures and devices
refrigeration / air conditioning system electrical diagrams.
2. Practical Test 1 - Fabrication and Joining of Copper:
It covers the following:
safety practices
selection of appropriate materials for the fabrication task
selection and use of appropriate hand and copper working tools
connection, setting up and use of oxy / acetylene equipment
use of dry nitrogen to ensure cleanliness of final product
manufacturing copper tube flare joints and swaged joints
installation of schraeder fittings
selection and use of appropriate brazing material for the various brazed joints
pressure testing.
3. Practical Test 2 Installation and Commissioning:
It covers the following:
dangers and safety procedures
selection and use of service gauges
use / handling of refrigerants when pumping down / recovering refrigerant
repair / replacement of system components
use / handling of refrigerants when recommissioning of the system
use of pressure / temperature charts
system operation and control
isolation of electrical supply
use / handling of equipment for electrical measurement
testing, fault finding and repair procedures
pre-start up tests / checks
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 commissioning / adjustment of refrigerant system and flow controls including

refrigerant charge, TX valve superheat, etc.
commissioning / adjustment of system safety and cycling controls
identifying system operating conditions.
4. Practical Test 3 - Refrigeration Testing and Fault Finding:
It covers the following:
dangers and safety procedures
selection and use of safely tools/ instruments
testing systems and components
fault finding systems and components.
5. Practical Test 4 Electrical Testing, Disconnect / Reconnect, Fault Finding and
Repair: I hour
It covers the following:
Motor Testing
dangers and safety procedures
selection of and use of correct electrical test instruments
testing continuity test, insulation resistance and the auxiliary equipment
(contactors, relays and overloads).
Refrigeration / Air Conditioning System Control Circuit Testing
dangers and safety procedures
circuit operation and control, based on existing circuit, components and diagrams
use of electrical test equipment
terminating cables
disconnecting appliance / system from supply
reconnecting appliance / system to supply.
commissioning appliance / system.
testing, fault finding and repairing refrigeration system controls.
Refrigeration / Air Conditioning System Testing
dangers and safety procedures
selection and use of service gauges
measurement of appliance / system conditions
pre-start up tests / checks of appliance / equipment.

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