ANZSCO 342111
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
General information, not immigration advice. Data as at 2026-10-22.
About this occupation
ANZSCO 2022Assembles, installs, maintains and repairs industrial, commercial and domestic airconditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment. Registration or licensing may be required.
Unit group 3421
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics assemble, install, maintain and repair industrial, commercial and domestic airconditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment.
Indicative skill level
Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia
- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
In New Zealand
- NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Registration or licensing may be required.
Tasks include
- Establishing job requirements from drawings and specifications, and laying out installation reference points
- Drilling holes, installing mounting brackets and cutting, bending and threading piping
- Installing and repairing components such as compressors, motors, condensers, evaporators, switches and gauges, and copper lines for steam, gas, refrigerant, compressed air, oil and chilled water
- Bolting, soldering, riveting, welding and brazing pipes to connect equipment, and checking alignment and accuracy of fit
- Filling systems with gas or fluid to check for leaks
- Test-operating refrigeration systems, checking mechanisms and making adjustments
Show all 10 tasks
- Removing test gas and fluid using vacuum pumps, and filling with refrigerant
- Checking and overhauling refrigeration systems, diagnosing faults and repairing and replacing defective components
- Adjusting system controls and mechanisms and reassembling systems
- Recording causes of malfunctioning and action taken
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022. CC BY 4.0.
ANZSCO 2022 (the edition the CSOL uses for the 482 and 186 visas)
Title in this edition: Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic, skill level 3
- Major group
- 3 Technicians and Trades Workers
- Sub-major group
- 34 Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers
- Minor group
- 342 Electronics and Telecommunications Trades Workers
- Unit group
- 3421 Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
The title and groups are the same in ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 and ANZSCO 2022.
Occupation Shortage List (2026)
- National rating
- Shortage
- Confidence
- Clear
- Rated on
- ANZSCO 2022
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA, released 21 October 2026. CC BY 4.0.
Possible visa options
Visas that Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic may be eligible for through its skilled list placement. Being on a list is one requirement; each visa has others (points, age, English, nomination or sponsorship).
| Visa | Stay | MLTSSL | STSOL | ROL | CSOL | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested | Permanent | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 1 |
| Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) | — | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 2 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored | — | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 1 |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Permanent | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 3 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated | — | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 4 |
| Training visa (subclass 407) | Temporary (Up to 2 years) | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/050, s 6 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream | Temporary (5 years) | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/219, s 5(1) |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream | Temporary (Up to 4 years) | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/089, s 6(3) |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway | Permanent | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/093, s 7(1) |
✓ the occupation is on a list this visa uses · ✗ this visa uses the list but the occupation is not on it · — the visa does not use this list. Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, visa pages, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Average salary, May 2025
Unit group 3421 Airconditioning and refrigeration mechanics (ANZSCO 2022). all employees, Average weekly total cash earnings.
| Average weekly earnings | Average age | |
|---|---|---|
| All employees | $2,069.70 | 34.8 |
| Males | — | — |
| Females | — | — |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025: data cube 63060DO011_202505 (Table 1), released 23 January 2026. CC BY 4.0.
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Scan to get the appSource: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO (CC BY 4.0). Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list (CC BY 4.0). Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, SkillSelect invitation rounds, CC BY 3.0 AU. Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Search another occupation