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Advocacy / Focus areas / Professionalism and safety

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.

Professional registration of engineers

AIRAH is supporting the establishment of professional registration schemes around Australia through its AIRAH Professional Engineers Register (APER) program. This is the professional accreditation for engineers operating in the HVAC&R industry and is designed to meet the requirements of the state-based schemes. We are also providing feedback to regulators to ensure that the regulations effectively support and strengthen Australia’s HVAC&R industry, as well as the wider building and construction industry.

Mentorship

Through our mentorship program, AIRAH is supporting the development of a high-quality, diverse and inclusive sector. The program assists our members in building relationships, strengthening industry, and creating cross-generational influence.

HVAC&R licensing

AIRAH supports a nationally consistent licensing scheme focused on the trade covering the applications of all refrigerants in all sectors, and that establishes refrigeration and air conditioning as a trade of its own, separate to electrical and plumbing. We represent the trade in state and territory consultations on occupational licensing.

Industry training

AIRAH is committed to providing the tools to advance the knowledge and skills of HVAC&R professionals via our education and training offerings, and raising awareness of changing legislation and regulatory requirements.

Recent professionalism and safety updates

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Victorian health reforms

The Victorian government is proposing legislative reforms to improve the regulatory tools available under health portfolio legislation.

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.

AIRAH Pre-Budget Submission 2024

AIRAH has responded to the federal government’s call for pre-Budget submissions. Our suggestions are in line with our three advocacy focus areas.

Registration of engineers in SA – AIRAH feedback

We note that the definition of “professional engineering services” is consistent with that used in other jurisdictions. There are, however, important areas where the definition would benefit from clarification.

Practice Standard for Professional Engineers – AIRAH feedback

We support registration schemes for building practitioners, in line with the Shergold-Weir Building Confidence report, which identified the need to restore community confidence in Australia's building and construction industry.

Feedback on building engineers registration consultation WA

AIRAH wrote feedback for the consultation paper Supporting Documents for Engineer's Registration.

Letter of support for ASBEC application to Women in Construction IIP

Recognising the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining women in construction and STEM careers, in 2017 we launched the Women of AIRAH initiative (WoA). Modelled on the successful Women of ASHRAE program.