Award coverage for air-conditioning tradespersons and refrigeration mechanics depends on:

• the industry of the employer
• where the work is performed
• the occupation of the employee
• if there’s a classification for the employee in the relevant award.

An employee’s level of skill, experience, knowledge, training and qualifications may be relevant when classifying an employee in accordance with the classification definitions in the applicable award.

Private home and/or business (not a building and construction site)

Electrical Award

The Electrical Award covers employers in the industry of electrical services provided by electrical contractors. This includes businesses installing, maintaining and/or repairing air-conditioning and/or refrigeration.

Trade qualified employees may be classified as an Electrical worker grade 5 or above.

The Electrical Award doesn’t cover employees working for employers who aren’t electrical contractors.

Plumbing Award

The Plumbing Award covers employers:

• in the industry of providing plumbing services by contract. This includes businesses doing air-conditioning plumbing.
• of employees doing plumbing work, unless they’re covered by the Manufacturing Award.

Trade qualified employees may be classified as a Plumbing and mechanical services tradesperson Level 1 or above.

Manufacturing Award

The Manufacturing Award covers employers of employees in the manufacturing and associated industries and occupations. This includes businesses installing, maintaining and/or repairing air-conditioning and/or refrigeration.

The Manufacturing Award also covers employees doing electrical work and/or plumbing work for an employer covered by the Manufacturing Award.

Trade qualified employees may be classified as a C10 or above.

The Manufacturing Award doesn’t cover:

• employees of electrical contractors
• plumbers, who don’t work in businesses covered by the Manufacturing Award.

Example

Jody is a refrigeration mechanic. Jody works for an electrical contracting business that installs, services and repairs refrigeration plant and equipment.

Jody’s employer is in the industry of electrical services provided by an electrical contractor.

The Electrical Award has a classification for a refrigeration mechanic.

Jody’s covered by the Electrical Award.

Building and construction site

Building and Construction Award

The Building and Construction Award covers employers in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry, including businesses installing air-conditioning and/or refrigeration on a building and construction site.

Trade qualified employees may be classified as a Construction worker level 3/Engineering construction worker level 3 (Engineering construction tradesperson level 1) (CW/ECW 3) or above.

The Building and Construction Award doesn’t cover employers covered by the:

• Electrical Award
• Plumbing Award
• Manufacturing Award.

These awards can cover employers both on and off a building and construction site. See the Electrical Award, Plumbing Award and Manufacturing Award sections above for information about coverage under these awards.

Example

Tom is an air-conditioning tradesperson. Tom works for a building company on a residential building and construction site.

Tom’s employer is in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry.

The Building and Construction Award has a classification for an air-conditioning tradesperson.

Tom’s covered by the Building and Construction Award.