The leading news platform for Australia’s HVAC&R industry
Dismay at US decision to relax HFC restrictions
HVAC&R industry groups and environmental activists alike have strongly criticised the US government’s decision to roll back restrictions on HFCs.
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News
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New NCC 2025 CPD and tutor materials available
New continuing professional development (CPD) and tutor materials have been made available to support both industry-based learning and formal education delivery with the updated NCC 2025 requirements.
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Scaling up electric refrigerated transport
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced an investment of up to $10 million to support the roll out of low-emissions electric transport refrigeration.
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Halving Europe’s automotive AC emissions
A new technical study by refrigerant producers Chemours and Solstice has proposed measures they say could reduce refrigerants emissions from automotive air conditioning by up to 60% annually by 2050, and avoid half the quantity of cumulative emissions between 2030 and 2050.
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Dismay at US decision to relax HFC restrictions
HVAC&R industry groups and environmental activists alike have strongly criticised the US government’s decision to roll back restrictions on HFCs.
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Updated refrigerant designations
ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have released an updated refrigerant designations and safety classifications fact sheet.
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Female RAC professionals take on Italy
Eleven female refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) professionals from six South Asian countries have completed a specialist train-the-trainer program in Italy.
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Is HVAC&R becoming a two-speed market?
Global research and consulting organisation BSRIA’s latest publications suggests the global cooling and heat pump market is showing signs of pressure.
Events
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ARBS Awards put HVAC&R achievements centre stage
People, projects and products were given their moment of glory at the 2026 ARBS Industry Excellence Awards, held in Melbourne on May 6, 2026.
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HVAC&R turns policy into practice
At ARBS 2026, speakers from across the globe are shining a light on the essential nature of HVAC&R, and its pivotal role in decarbonising the built environment, enabling social progress and protecting human health.
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Tips for your ARBS adventure
Will we see you at ARBS 2026? The HVAC&R industry exhibition and program of seminars kicks off at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from Tuesday, May 5–Thursday, May 7.
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Intelligent theme for World Refrigeration Day 2026
World Refrigeration Day is an opportunity to celebrate the skills, inventiveness and achievements of HVAC&R – and in 2026, the real power behind the profession is in the spotlight.
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Pitch in – IBF26 call for abstracts
After the success of the inaugural Intelligent Buildings Workshop in 2025, IBF26 is now calling for expertise and insight from across the property, engineering, technology and analytics sectors.
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Are you up-to-date on flammables?
Industry representatives are hosting a panel session during ARBS 2026 on Thursday, May 7, to discuss the newly revised Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide.
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TACA Seminar 2026
The Testing and Commissioning Association (TACA) is hosting its annual seminar on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Regulations
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New NCC 2025 CPD and tutor materials available
New continuing professional development (CPD) and tutor materials have been made available to support both industry-based learning and formal education delivery with the updated NCC 2025 requirements.
-
Dismay at US decision to relax HFC restrictions
HVAC&R industry groups and environmental activists alike have strongly criticised the US government’s decision to roll back restrictions on HFCs.
-
Updated refrigerant designations
ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have released an updated refrigerant designations and safety classifications fact sheet.
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RPEQ renewal now due
HVAC&R engineering practitioners working in Queensland need to ensure they renew their RPEQ registration before the closing date of May 31, 2026.
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Have your say on refrigerant recovery
A survey on industry engagement with Refrigerant Reclaim Australia’s takeback and disposal program is seeking input from facilities managers and engineers.
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NSW eyeing minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals
The NSW government is seeking feedback on introducing minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.
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Major update coming to NABERS Energy
Australia’s leading energy performance rating system will be fundamentally changing the way it calculates NABERS Energy ratings from 2030.
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Features
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CSIRO goes to the edge with CO2 cooling
Data centre developments often come under fire for their massive thirst, competing with communities, agriculture and nature for both groundwater and surface water supplies. CSIRO’s new data centre project in Queensland, however, is utilising advanced cooling solutions to conserve precious H2O.
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Profitability, practicality and productivity win, but IAQ missed out
AIRAH welcomes many positive measures in the 2026 Budget, including those specifically supporting the engineering, property and construction sectors.
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Updated guidance on flammable refrigerants
AIRAH has launched a revised Flammable Refrigerant Safety Guide, in collaboration with Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and Refrigerants Australia, and with support from the ARBS Foundation.
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HVAC&R turns policy into practice
At ARBS 2026, speakers from across the globe are shining a light on the essential nature of HVAC&R, and its pivotal role in decarbonising the built environment, enabling social progress and protecting human health.
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Technical guidance for high-temp heat pumps
High temperature heat is crucial for many key industrial applications, and a new technical resource aims to help rein in the associated energy demand and emissions.
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The true carbon cost of data centres
A new report by MECLA highlights the embodied carbon in data centre developments – and the huge contribution made by HVAC and other building services.
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Indoor air as essential infrastructure
Professor Tony Arnel, Chairman, ARBS, makes the case for addressing indoor air quality as a basic public health measure.
Business
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Scaling up electric refrigerated transport
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced an investment of up to $10 million to support the roll out of low-emissions electric transport refrigeration.
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Is HVAC&R becoming a two-speed market?
Global research and consulting organisation BSRIA’s latest publications suggests the global cooling and heat pump market is showing signs of pressure.
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Midea presents latest tech at MCE 2026
Midea Building Technologies (MBT) unveiled a suite of new HVAC&R solutions at MCE 2026 (Mostra Convegno Expocomfort) including data center cooling, VRF systems, heat pump applications, and integrated building management.
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Panasonic launches HVAC & Cold Chain company
Panasonic Group is transitioning into a new corporate structure, and has consolidated its Heating & Ventilation A/C Company and Cold Chain Solutions Company into a new group called Panasonic HVAC & CC Co., Ltd.
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Mark Lamb appointed as CEO of ARC
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has appointed Mark Lamb as the new CEO, and Susie O’Neill to the position of Deputy CEO.
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Making refrigerant recovery rewarding
The Australian branch of global refrigerant supplier A-Gas has partnered with distributors to launch an incentive scheme for refrigerant recovery.
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Carbon credit payoff for HVAC upgrades
A Japan-based climate tech start-up has invented a way to turn smart HVAC into a new income stream via tradeable carbon credits.