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Advocacy

Focus Areas

AIRAH’s advocacy work supports our mission to lead the Australian HVAC&R industry to a future that is highly skilled, safe and sustainable.

Our activity can be divided into three areas, described below. As well as focusing on these broad topics, AIRAH advocates for greater recognition of the HVAC&R industry in general, and AIRAH itself, through all our work.

Transitioning to a net zero future

Australia, as a signatory to the Paris Climate Change Agreement COP21, has committed to reducing emissions levels by 43 per cent by 2030, and to reaching net zero emissions nationally by 2050. As Australia moves to meet these challenges, the HVAC&R sector has a vital part to play.

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Professionalism and safety

The HVAC&R industry operates under a wide range of legislation and regulatory requirements and regimes from all levels of government. AIRAH informs and works with all regulators to help bring an HVAC&R voice to the development of the environmental, energy, building, WHS, plumbing, electrical and health regulations that impact the HVAC&R industry.

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Resilience in the built environment

In the current global physical, social and environmental situation, the ability of a building to deal with external and unusual impacts due to pandemics, bushfires, climate change, extreme heat and cold, severe storms, earthquakes, social unrest, terrorist attack or criminal misadventure, is becoming more important and more valued.

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Recent advocacy updates

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Spotlight on building services

The Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) is hosting free events across Australia on Thursday, April 18 to highlight the importance of building services.

Collaborating on embodied carbon

AIRAH advocates for the transition to a net zero future. As part of this, we are helping to tackle the challenge of reducing embodied emissions.

AIRAH brings engineering voice to Clean Indoor Air Forum

AIRAH Advocacy and Policy Manager Mark Vender and Associate Director of the IAQ STG Claire Bird, Affil.AIRAH, attended the Clean Indoor Air Forum in Canberra on Monday, March 18.

AIRAH STGs to present at ARBS 2024

AIRAH’s Electrification STG and Commercial Kitchen Exhaust STG have been confirmed in the ARBS 2024 Seminar Series.

AIRAH CEO attends GBCA Transform Conference 2024

AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH recently attended the Green Building Council of Australia's Transform Conference. Transform is an action-focused conference that shapes the future of Australia’s sustainable built environment.

CPD for HVAC&R technicians in Victoria

Victoria's Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is developing a framework that will require HVAC&R technicians – as well as other building practitioners and plumbers – to meet continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.

Understanding our workforce: Feedback on ANZCO review

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is reviewing the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). ANZSCO provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of occupation data for Aus and NZ.

Closing the door on R404A

AIRAH, with expert input from the Refrigeration Special Technical Group, has been working with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and other industry bodies to understand the stubborn presence of R404A.