What is the Certificate II in Split Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems (UEE20120)?
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The UEE20120 is a nationally recognised qualification that covers the installation and decommissioning of single-head split air conditioning systems and heat pump systems up to 18kW. It includes refrigerant tube fabrication and connection, pressure testing, evacuation, charging and leak testing, and system start-up procedures. It is the qualification pathway for the ARCtick RSS03 Restricted Refrigerant Handling Licence — the legal requirement to handle fluorocarbon refrigerant in Australia.
What is the ARCtick licence and why do I need it?
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The ARCtick Refrigerant Handling Licence (RHL) is a federal licence administered by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) under national environmental law. It is illegal to handle fluorocarbon refrigerants — including the R-32 and R-410A gases used in virtually all modern split systems — without a valid ARCtick licence. Completing UEE20120 qualifies you to apply for the RSS03 Restricted RHL, which covers installation and decommissioning of split systems and heat pump systems up to 18kW.
Do I need an electrical licence to enrol in this course?
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Yes. This course does not have an electrical outcome — it covers refrigerant handling and mechanical installation only. To perform the full electrical connection work required to install a split system (wiring the indoor unit, outdoor unit, and dedicated circuit), you must hold an unrestricted electrical licence in your state or territory. The UEE20120 and your electrical licence together give you the complete legal scope to install split systems from start to finish.
What types of systems can I install after completing this course?
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With your UEE20120 qualification and ARCtick RSS03 licence, you can install and decommission single-head split air conditioning and heat pump systems up to 18kW. This includes wall-hung units, floor and ceiling suspended units, cassette units, ducted fan coil split systems, and heat pump water heaters. This course does not cover multi-head systems, commercial refrigeration, ducted refrigerated systems with remote condensing units, or any servicing, maintenance, repair, or fault-finding work.
What can't I do with just the UEE20120?
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The UEE20120 is a restricted qualification. It does not cover servicing, repair, maintenance, diagnostics, or fault-finding on air conditioning systems. It does not cover multi-head split systems, ducted systems with remote plant, or commercial refrigeration. It does not provide electrical competency — your electrical licence covers that. For full unrestricted refrigeration and air conditioning work including servicing, you would need to progress to the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (UEE32225).
How long does the course take to complete?
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The UEE20120 consists of online self-paced theory followed by 2 days of face-to-face practical assessment. Most licensed electricians with some exposure to air conditioning work complete the online component in a few weeks and the practical component over a single weekend block. You will also need to complete two supervised on-site installation sign-offs — one during training and one completed on a real job site by a licensed Refrigeration Mechanic or at our training facility.
How do I apply for my ARCtick RSS03 licence after completing the course?
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Once you have your UEE20120 qualification certificate, you apply directly to the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) at arctick.org. Your application requires your qualification certificate, a completed Work Supervisor Declaration signed by a licensed supervisor confirming your competency, and the applicable licence fee. The ARC processes most applications within a few business days. Your RSS03 licence is then valid nationally across all states and territories.
Does the licence and qualification vary by state?
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The ARCtick RSS03 is a national licence — identical requirements and outcome in every state. However, your installation rights on top of the ARCtick do vary by state. In QLD, WA, ACT, SA, NT, and TAS, a licensed electrician with UEE20120 and ARCtick can legally install split systems up to 18kW. In NSW, the ARCtick covers refrigerant handling and your unrestricted electrical licence covers installation — contact NSW Fair Trading to confirm current requirements. In VIC, refrigerated air conditioning is classified as a plumbing class by the VBA — you must apply to the VBA for an assessment of your installation rights. Always confirm your specific state requirements before commencing installation work.
Can I get a trainee ARCtick licence while I'm studying?
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Yes. The ARC offers a Trainee Refrigerant Handling Licence for people currently enrolled in a qualifying course. This allows you to handle refrigerant during training and assessment — either in a classroom setting only, or in both the classroom and under supervision at a workplace, depending on the trainee licence class. Your training provider will advise you on which trainee licence applies to your circumstances during the enrolment process.
What refrigerants does the ARCtick licence cover?
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The ARCtick RSS03 covers fluorocarbon refrigerants including CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and PFCs. This includes R-410A and R-32 — the two most common refrigerants in modern Australian split systems. R-32 is now the dominant refrigerant in new residential installations and is classified as A2L (mildly flammable), requiring specific handling protocols. Note that the ARCtick scheme does not currently cover natural refrigerants such as propane (R-290) or CO2 (R-744), although other regulations apply to those gases.
What career pathways open up after UEE20120?
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UEE20120 is a recognised stepping stone into the full refrigeration and air conditioning trade. Units completed in the Cert II provide credit toward the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (UEE32225) — the full trade qualification that covers servicing, maintenance, fault-finding, and unrestricted RAC work. From there, further pathways include Certificate IV in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Servicing, Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and ultimately the full RAC trade with an unrestricted ARCtick RAC01 licence.
Who is eligible to enrol?
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To enrol in UEE20120, you must hold a current, unrestricted electrical licence in your Australian state or territory. You must be at least 18 years of age, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid visa with full study and work rights. No prior air conditioning or refrigeration experience is required — the course is designed for licensed electricians expanding their service offering into split system installation.
