Careers Resources
Forming part of AIRAH's strategic aim to close the skills gap, the Careers Resources page provides a host of relevant information about careers in HVAC&R. Designed to assist in career planning, the page includes information and links to resources about occupations, training and job search options.
Career Pathways
AIRAH is developing model career pathways for Building Services (mechanical) and Refrigeration engineers as part of a process to help identify skills gaps in the HVAC&R sector in Australia.
Building Services Engineer
The model pathway for Building Services Engineer (mechanical) has been released. The term ‘mechanical engineer’ is a broad description that covers roles beyond the HVAC industry, whereas ‘building services engineer’ more specifically refers to mechanical services such as air conditioning, heating and ventilation.
The model career pathway defines job titles, roles, tasks, skills and knowledge requirements of mechanical engineers working in the building services sector. The pathway progresses through four stages:
- Level 1, the graduate mechanical engineer or engineering officer level
- Level 2, mechanical engineer
- Level 3, senior mechanical engineer
- Level 4, principal engineer.
The report offers recommended tasks and knowledge and skill requirements for each job title.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will recognise 'Building services engineer' as an official occupation under the specialisation 233512 Mechanical Engineer from the release of ANZSCO Version 1.2, scheduled for May 14, 2013. AIRAH undertook two activities to achieve the ABS recognition. The first was a survey of industry practitioners, the second an evidence-gathering exercise to show there are at least 300 individuals working in the occupation.
Refrigeration Engineer
Job analysis under way. Contact
carolyn@airah.org.au for more details.
Training
Training resources
My Skills
My Skills is an Australian Government website that contains useful information about training, including training statistics, financial assistance information and qualifications. You can also use the website to find a training organisation
VET (vocational education and training) in Australia
In Australia, after people complete their compulsory schooling, their main choices for further education are vocational education and training (VET) and university. This publication provides a guide to understanding some basics about VET in Australia.
Download the VET in Australia guide
Australian Skills Quality Authority
Fact sheet - Choosing a training or education provider
This fact sheet explains the most important things to look for when choosing a training or education provider, and a recognised training or education course.
Download the fact sheet
HVAC Education Australia
The HVAC Education Australia site, developed by TAFE teacher Paul Marshall, brings together free online teaching and learning resources, and was developed for teachers and students.
Entry (trade)
Box Hill Institute
Box Hill Institute is a leading Victorian vocational and higher education provider known for our collaborative and creative approach to education in Australia and overseas.
Website: Box Hill Institute
SkillsTech
SkillsTech Australia is Queensland's largest TAFE institute dedicated to trade and technical training, with more than 20,000 students across six training centres.
Website: SkillsTech Australia
Polytechnic WA
Careers in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning industry.
Website: Polytechnic West
TAFE SA
TAFE SA represents a network of three independent institutes. These institutes are the leading and largest public providers of vocational education and training (VET) in South Australia delivering courses to an average of 80,000 students per year across more than 48 sites state wide. TAFE SA institutes offer training across more than 80 activity and industry-related areas.
The link below directs you to air conditioning and refrigeration courses. If the link does not redirect properly, search for air conditioning and refrigeration courses using the search bar located at the top right corner.
Website: TAFE SA - Air conditioning and refrigeration
TAFE NSW
The NSW Technical and Further Education Commission, known as TAFE NSW, is Australia's leading vocational education and training provider.
The link below directs you to Air conditioning courses. If the link does not redirect properly, search for Air Conditioning courses using the search bar located at the top right corner.
Website: TAFE NSW - Air conditioning
RMIT
RMIT is a global university of technology and design and Australia’s largest tertiary institution. The University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in practical education and outcome-oriented research.
Website: RMIT
Back to top
Entry (engineering)
Entry is commonly via a degree in Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, which is offered by a number of universities. The selection below provides some options and your careers advisor will also be able to assist.
New South Wales:
University of Sydney
Website: University of Sydney - Engineering and project management
University of Wollongong
Website: University of Wollongong - Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic
Northern Territory:
Charles Darwin University
Website: Charles Darwin University
Queensland:
University of Queensland
Website: University of Queensland - Engineering and Architecture programs
University of Southern Queensland
Website: University of Southern Queensland - Bachelor of Engineering
Griffith University
Website: Griffith University - Mechanical Engineering
James Cook University
Website: James Cook University - Engineering
South Australia:
University of South Australia (Uni SA)
Website: University of South Australia - Engineering programs
University of Adelaide
Website: University of Adelaide - Engineering programs
Flinders University
Website: Flinders University - Engineering programs
Tasmania:
University of Tasmania
Website: University of Tasmania - Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology
Victoria:
Melbourne University
Website: University of Melbourne - Course search
Monash University
Website: Monash University - Engineering courses
RMIT University
Website: RMIT University - Engineering
Western Australia:
University of Western Australia
Website: University of Western Australia - School of Civil and Resource Engineering
Ongoing (trade)
Refrigerant Licensing – Australian Refrigeration Council
Find a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers training or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) towards approved qualifications relative to the refrigerant handling licence you require.
Website: Australian Refrigeration Council
EE-Oz Training Standards - Natural refrigerant training
Natural refrigerant training in safety awareness and servicing of stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems is becoming more available for existing workers across the country.
Website: EE-Oz Natural refrigerant training
Essential Safety Measures (AIRAH)
This distance learning course provides a step-by-step guide to Australian Standard AS1851 relating to mechanical services, to ensure you can provide your clients' compliance needs.
Website: Essential Safety Measures (AIRAH)
Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC)
The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) is an industry led training facility in Brunswick, Melbourne. PICAC is proudly supported by the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (Plumbing Division Victoria), Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, National Fire Industry Association, Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association and Plumbing Joint Training Fund. Courses include:
Trade Secrets
Courses that focus on sustainable practices in the building and construction industry
Website: Trade Secrets
Sydney HVAC
Diploma of HVAC & Refrigeration - delivered in both traditional face to face mode and concurrently web cast. Students work through a detailed multi-zone heat load estimate and design the ‘air side’ system and the ‘water side’ of the plant; selecting chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps and valves etc. Students also study controls and design, select and program an open DDC system to suit the previously designed air and water systems. A study on refrigeration heat load estimation is followed by commercial and then industrial refrigeration design. The course also covers project management, contract administration, and commissioning.
Website: Sydney HVAC
Victorian Education Skills Gateway
The Victorian Skills Gateway is your one-stop-shop for vocational training in Victoria.
Website: Victorian Education Skills Gateway
Back to top
Post Graduate
AIRAH Training for Post Graduates
AIRAH is Australia's pre-eminent provider of HVAC&R training and education. A registered training organisation (RTO), AIRAH offers a selection of nationally recognised and accredited post graduate qualifications.
AIRAH's Graduate Certificates
Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation - University of Melbourne
Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation (Master)
Contact:
Dr Dominique Hes
Lecturer Sustainable Architecture
Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning Melbourne University
Ph: 03 8344 4230
Fax: 03 8344 5532
Mob: 0425 765 688
Sustainable Buildings - University of Melbourne
Sustainable Buildings (one subject course)
Contact:
Dr Lu Aye
Associate Professor - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Position: Ass Prof
Email: l.aye@unimelb.edu.au
Ph: 03 83446879
Fax: 03 83446868
Energy Efficiency training for Engineers - University of Wollongong
Energy Efficiency training for Engineers
The Sustainable Building Research Centre (SBRC) is offering a new approach to "energy efficiency training for engineers" with a focus on four key educational demand areas and skills gaps:
- Energy Efficiency in Electricity (EEIE)
- Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment (EEIBE)
- Energy Efficiency Enhancements in Industry (EEII)
- Changing user perceptions and behaviours to maximise the community's adoption of energy efficient technologies
To meet these educational needs the SBRC, with support from the NSW Government, is offering professional development short courses for professional engineers and other interested participants. Each short course is designed to be delivered over two days, with a significant component dedicated to hands-on, interactive, or discussion based activities. Each short course is offered on a stand-alone basis, while also remaining complimentary to the overall program.
Location of course(s): Circular Quay (University of Wollongong - Sydney Business School Campus)
Contacts:
Ms. Rachel Weine
Faculty of Engineering
Ph: (02) 4221 4566
Email: rweine@uow.edu.au
|
Duane Robinson
Sustainable Buildings Research Centre
Ph: (02) 4221 4530
Email: duane@uow.edu.au
|
Green Skills NSW Course Finder
This site lists green skills training available in NSW. Green skills courses develop practical job skills together with an understanding of their environmental impact. Green skills are used by workers to protect or improve the environment in the context of their work.
Website: Green Skills NSW - Course finder
Trade Secrets
Courses that focus on sustainable practices in the building and construction industry
Website: Trade Secrets
The Fifth Estate Universities guide - sustainability education courses
Australia's leading online newspaper for the sustainable property industry published an investigative report and an ebook that demonstrate a revolution in the way sustainability is taught and integrated into university courses related to the built environment.
Website: The Fifth Estate - Sustainability education on the rise and rise
Back to top
Job search
Australian Job Search
Available jobs for Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics Australia wide.
Website: Australian Job Search
Seek
Jobs containing refrigeration and air conditioning in Australia
Website: Seek
Back to top
Job prospects and labour market data
Skills One
Includes videos for refrigeration and air-conditioning occupations, promoting women in trades and lists refrigeration mechanics as a ‘Top 10: Trades in demand’.
Website: Skills One
My Future - Refrigeration and Air conditioning Mechanic
Refrigeration and Air conditioning Mechanic (Refrigeration and Airconditioning Electrotechnologist) - Occupation fact sheet
Website: My Future
Job Outlook - Air conditioning and Refrigeration mechanics
Information on wages and job prospects.
Website: Job Outlook - Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
Job Outlook - Mechanical engineering draftspersons and technicians
Information on wages and job prospects.
Website: Job Outlook - Mechanical engineering draftpersons and technicians
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - Labour market data
As part of its commitment to increasing Australia’s productivity the department undertakes a range of research and analysis in the areas of skill shortages, recruitment experiences, labour and skills needs and industry and employment trends. Includes statistical evidence of labour market shortages in refrigeration and air conditioning.
Website: DEEWR - Labour market research and analysis
Job Guide
The Job Guide provides an in-depth look at a range of occupations, and their education and training pathways.
Website: Job Guide
Back to top
Industry Skills Councils
E-Oz Energy Skills Australia (formerly EE-Oz Training Standards)
The Government’s declared Industry Skills Council for the energy sector trades, E-Oz was established in 1995 to develop training standards for electrotechnology; electricity distribution, transmission and rail; electricity generation; and gas transmission.
E-Oz has recently released information about Natural Refrigerant Training providers and courses.
Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA)
MSA is the national body responsible for identifying what manufacturing skills are needed and how these can most effectively be implemented in industry.
MSA is a national Industry Skills Council, owned by industry and managed by a board from across industry and funded by the Australian Government.
Back to top