Airconditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic salary in Australia
ANZSCO occupation: Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
Last reviewed July 2026
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) · 2025 data. Annual figure derived from median weekly earnings × 52.
See your take-home pay on $109,000 →At a glance
- People employed
- 29,700
- Annual employment growth
- -400/yr
- 5-yr projected growth
- +2.3%
- Skills shortage rating
- Shortage
- Main industry
- Construction
- Works full-time
- 91%
- Avg full-time hours
- 43 hrs/wk
- Works part-time
- 9%
- Female share
- 1%
- Median age
- 31 yrs
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025)
What does a airconditioning & refrigeration mechanic do?
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics assemble, install, maintain and repair industrial, commercial and domestic airconditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment.
- 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
How to become a airconditioning & refrigeration mechanic
Typical education for this occupation, and courses that lead to it.
Education held by people in this role
Where airconditioning & refrigeration mechanics are employed
Share of workers by state and territory (employment distribution, not pay).
Airconditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic jobs
Related occupations
Similar occupations
Jobs that pay similar to a airconditioning & refrigeration mechanic
Frequently asked questions
How much does a airconditioning & refrigeration mechanic earn in Australia?
The median airconditioning & refrigeration mechanic earns $109,200 per year ($2,100 per week, or about $51/hour), based on Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025).
What qualifications do you need to be a airconditioning & refrigeration mechanic?
Most airconditioning & refrigeration mechanics hold a Certificate III or IV (69.2% of workers). Pathways vary — see typical courses above.
Is airconditioning & refrigeration mechanic a job in demand in Australia?
Around 29,700 airconditioning & refrigeration mechanics are employed in Australia. Employment is changing by about -400 workers per year.
Earnings, employment and education data: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Employment projections: Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Skills shortage ratings: Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
The ABS median refers to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate; individual pay varies. Annual figures derived from median weekly earnings × 52. Figures are estimates for guidance only.