Questions from and for air conditioning and refrigeration apprentices.
Am I allowed to handle refrigerant as a first year, or do I need a licence?
You cannot legally handle refrigerant on a full licence yet, but you do need a trainee refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) to work with it while you learn. Your boss or supervisor, who holds a full RAC01 licence, signs off on your application, and you will need proof of enrolment in your qualification. Get this sorted early, because a lot of the fun jobs (gas charging, recovery, leak testing) are off limits until it is in your wallet. See the ARC trainee licence page: https://www.arctick.org/refrigerant-handling-licence/trainee-licences/
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified air conditioning and refrigeration
What tools should I actually buy in my first year, and what does the boss provide?
Start with the basics you will use every single day: a decent cordless drill and impact driver, screwdrivers, side cutters, pliers, shifters, a tape, a torch and a solid tool bag. Leave the expensive specialist gear (gauges, vacuum pump, recovery unit, nitrogen regulator, flaring and swaging tools) to the company for now, because that stuff is dear and usually shared on the ute. Buy quality where it counts, look after it, and always mark your tools so they do not walk off site.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified air conditioning and refrigeration
How do I know I am being paid the right amount as an apprentice?
Your pay depends on your award, your year of apprenticeship and whether you are adult or junior, so do not just take a mate's word for it. The quickest way to check is the free Fair Work Pay Calculator, which shows your minimum base rate, allowances and penalty rates. Plug in your details here: https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/ and if the numbers do not match your payslip, have a calm chat with your employer first.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified air conditioning and refrigeration
I feel like I am just fetching gear and carrying ladders. Is that normal?
Yes, that is completely normal for a first year and it is not a sign anyone thinks you are useless. Carrying, setting up, cleaning up and watching closely is how you learn the flow of a job and earn the trust to do the skilled work. Ask questions, offer to have a go, and once you show you are reliable and safe the good jobs start coming your way.
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified air conditioning and refrigeration
What qualification am I actually working towards, and how long does it take?
You are working towards a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, done as an employed apprenticeship that combines on the job work with block or day release at a training provider. It usually runs around four years, though it can vary with your progress and competency. It sets you up for your electrical and refrigerant licences, so keep your training logbook and paperwork up to date the whole way through. You can look up the qualification and providers on the national training register at https://training.gov.au/
Answered by a qualified tradieQualified air conditioning and refrigeration
