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Skills assessment · ANZSCO 342111

Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic Skills Assessment & RPL Pathway

How Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (ANZSCO 342111) is assessed for skilled migration — and where Recognition of Prior Learning fits

MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au

  • Occupation: Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
  • ANZSCO code: 342111
  • Skill level: ANZSCO Skill Level 3
  • Assessing authority: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
  • Note: This is a regulated trade. Working with refrigerants requires a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), and electrical aspects of the work require the relevant state or territory electrical licence. Licensing must be obtained separately from, and in addition to, the migration skills assessment.
  • RPL relevant: Yes — see below (An experienced mechanic without an Australian qualification may use Recognition of Prior Learning through a Registered Training Organisation to obtain a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. This RTO-issued VET qualification differs from a TRA migration skills assessment, and neither it nor the assessment substitutes for the separate ARC and electrical licences required to perform the work.)

Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (ANZSCO 342111) covers assembling, installing, maintaining and repairing commercial and domestic air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the assessing authority for this occupation under the Migration Skills Assessment programme. It is a regulated trade with refrigerant handling and electrical licensing obligations once working in Australia.

The skills assessment & RPL pathway for Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic

Migrating as an Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic generally requires a positive TRA skills assessment. TRA assesses whether your training and employment are comparable to an Australian Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration together with relevant post-qualification experience; an experience-based pathway may apply where you have strong work history but no comparable formal qualification. This migration skills assessment is not the same as a VET qualification. A VET RPL outcome, issued by an Australian Registered Training Organisation, awards the Certificate III itself based on your skills, and while it can support a TRA assessment it does not replace it for visa purposes.

This is a regulated trade, and the skills assessment does not authorise you to work. To handle refrigerants you need a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), and the electrical components of the work require the relevant state or territory electrical licence. These licences must be obtained separately and in addition to any qualification or skills assessment. Skilled occupation lists and visa criteria change frequently, so confirm current eligibility for your intended visa subclass with a registered migration agent before lodging.

Evidence typically required

Is RPL part of your Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic pathway?

Start with a free RPL eligibility check, or book a consultation to confirm the right assessing authority and whether RPL fits your visa goal for this occupation.

Free RPL eligibility check → Book a consultation ($200 + GST)

Frequently asked questions

Who assesses Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics for migration?

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (ANZSCO 342111) under the Migration Skills Assessment programme. TRA compares your qualifications and experience with the Australian trade standard. The assessment is a migration requirement and is separate from the refrigerant handling and electrical licences needed to work.

Do I need a licence to work in this trade in Australia?

Yes. Handling refrigerants requires a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), and the electrical aspects of the work require the relevant state or territory electrical licence. These licences are obtained separately from, and in addition to, the migration skills assessment and any qualification you hold.

Does an RPL qualification let me work without further licensing?

No. An RPL qualification from an Australian RTO awards a VET certificate but does not authorise the work itself. You still need a TRA skills assessment for migration, plus the separate ARC refrigerant handling licence and state or territory electrical licence before you can lawfully perform the trade in Australia.

Related

General information only, not migration advice. ANZSCO codes and assessing-authority arrangements change (ANZSCO is transitioning to OSCA) and skilled occupation lists are updated periodically — confirm the current code, authority and requirements for your situation. Skills assessments are conducted by the relevant assessing authority and RPL qualifications are issued by Registered Training Organisations, not by WIDEN. No qualification or assessment guarantees a visa. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid consultation under a written service agreement.