ARCtick Licence: Who Can Install Your Air Conditioner?

Short answer

Anyone who installs, services or repairs an air conditioner needs a Refrigerant Handling Licence^src, and handling refrigerant without one is an offence^src. There are two licence types^src for split systems. The full licence covers everything; the restricted one covers single-head split systems under 18 kW^src and no refrigerant repairs.

Two licences, two very different scopes. Ask which one your technician holds.

What does an ARC licence cover?

The licence is about refrigerant, the gas sealed inside the pipes. Licensed work includes installing, servicing and decommissioning^src, plus anything else that risks letting refrigerant escape. That takes in most of what happens on an installation day.

It is a national rule, so it applies the same way in Darwin as in Hobart. The Australian Refrigeration Council issues the licences; the "ARCtick" name is its brand.

How do the two licence types differ?

Work	Full RAC licence	Restricted split system licence
System size	Any cooling capacity	single-head split systems under 18 kW^src
Install and commission	Yes	Yes, single-head only
Multi-head systems	Yes	No
Service or repair involving refrigerant	Yes	No
Recover refrigerant before removal	Yes	Yes, with the right authorisation

In short, a full licence covers any system, any capacity^src. A restricted licence holder is not allowed to do service or repair work that involves refrigerant^src. The restricted licence is fine for installing a bedroom split. It is the wrong licence for chasing a leak.

The full licence bar fades out because it has no upper limit. The 18 kW mark is where the restricted licence stops. Source: Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13.

Show the numbers

System size each ARC licence covers, in kW of cooling capacity
Restricted split system licence	under 18 kW, single-head only
Full RAC licence	any capacity

Is a gas top-up legal?

Only after the system has been leak tested and any leaks fixed. The ARC says topping up before that is illegal^src, and that applies to everyone, licensed or not. If a technician wants to add gas without testing, say no.

What does the business need?

Individuals hold licences; businesses that buy and handle refrigerant hold an authorisation. Adding refrigerant on a long pipe run needs a Refrigerant Trading Authorisation^src. A reputable installer will know their authorisation number as readily as their licence number.

Does the licence cover the electrical work?

No. The ARC licence is a national environmental licence^src. Wiring in a new circuit is electrical work, licensed separately by your state or territory, so a job that needs both may involve two tradespeople or one with both licences.

How do you check before you book?

Ask for the technician's ARC licence number and licence type with the quote.
Look it up on the ARC licence check^src, which shows whether the licence is current and what type it is.
For multi-head systems, larger systems or any refrigerant repair, confirm it is a full licence.
If new wiring is needed, ask who holds the electrical licence.

Run a licensed installation business yourself? We check these same licence details before listing anyone under our website plan for air conditioning installers.

Where these figures come from

Australian Refrigeration Council (ARCtick): Anyone who installs, services or repairs an air conditioner must be a licensed technician holding a Refrigerant Handling Licence. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council (ARCtick): Handling fluorocarbon refrigerant without a Refrigerant Handling Licence is an offence. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council (ARCtick): Work covered by the licence includes installing, commissioning, servicing, maintaining and decommissioning equipment, and anything that carries a risk of refrigerant being emitted. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13: The ARC issues two licence types that permit work on split system air conditioners: a full Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) licence and a restricted Split Systems Installation and Decommissioning licence. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13: A full RAC licence holder may work on any air conditioning system of any cooling capacity, including installation, service, repair, maintenance and decommissioning. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13: A restricted Splits licence covers single-head split systems of less than 18 kW cooling capacity, including wall-hung, cassette and ducted indoor units, for installation, commissioning and removing refrigerant before decommissioning. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13: A restricted Splits licence holder may not install multi-head systems, work on systems over 18 kW, or carry out any service, repair or maintenance that involves accessing or handling refrigerant. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13: Topping up a system before it has been fully tested and all identified leaks repaired is illegal, whoever does it. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13: Adding refrigerant on extended pipe runs requires holding, or affiliation with, a Refrigerant Trading Authorisation (RTA); decommissioning requires at least restricted RTA affiliation. Checked 16 September 2026.
Australian Refrigeration Council, Fact sheet 13: An ARC Refrigerant Handling Licence is a national environmental licence; electrical, contractor and other licensing is set by each state or territory. Checked 16 September 2026.
Look For The Tick licence check, Australian Refrigeration Council: The Australian Refrigeration Council's online licence check shows whether a technician's Refrigerant Handling Licence is current and what type it is, searching by licence number or name. Checked 16 September 2026.