Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
MEM30319
Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Light)
The Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade prepares students for a career as a tradesperson, with prospective occupations including maintenance fitter, toolmaker and fitter/machinist.
Career Outcomes
- Automotive Electrician
- Automotive Electrical Technician
- Automotive Electrical Diagnostic Technician
Duration
-
3 year/s
This program is delivered over a period of 3 years. The length of time to complete this qualification will vary depending upon how long a student takes to reach the required competency level.
Snapshot
Employed
25,700
Future Growth
4%
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
83%
Female Share
1%
Average age
33
Summary
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics assemble, install, maintain and repair industrial, commercial and domestic airconditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment.
Tasks
- 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
- 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
Employment Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow moderately
- is likely to reach 30,800 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Earnings
Around 89% of people employed as Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 23 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
More than half of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median hourly earnings are $51, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Industries
1
Other Services
47.2%
2
CONSTRUCTION
39.6%
3
RETAIL TRADE
3.1%
4
MANUFACTURING
2.8%
5
Other industries
6.9%
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