Restricted Electrical Licence QLD

Most Queensland HVAC businesses employ refrigeration mechanics who also do some electrical work on the units they service. Whether that's legal depends on one licence, and on where exactly the tech's hands are.

It is illegal to do electrical work in Queensland without a licence. A refrigeration trade qualification on its own does not cover it.

What the restricted licence is

Queensland has six classes of electrical work licence. One of them, the restricted electrical work licence (REWL), authorises only the electrical work endorsed on it, incidental to another trade. Refrigeration and air conditioning tradespeople are one of the named examples.

For HVAC, WorkSafe Queensland sets out the scope plainly.

A refrigeration and air conditioning REWL allows the holder to:

• Disconnect and reconnect equipment at the equipment terminals
• Fault-find on electrical equipment associated with HVAC equipment
• Repair and replace like-for-like electrical parts in the HVAC equipment, or in a dedicated mechanical services board

It does not allow the holder to:

• Do electrical installation work
• Replace installation wiring
• Work on equipment in general switchboards or distribution boards

Where employers get caught

The licence covers service and maintenance. It does not cover installs.

Picture a split-system install where the tech runs a new circuit from the main switchboard to the isolator. That's installation work. A REWL doesn't cover it, regardless of how competent the tech is. You need a licensed electrical mechanic, and your business needs an electrical contractor licence to do that work for customers.

The same applies when a service call turns into "while you're here, can you add a circuit". The licence doesn't stretch to match the job.

What to check when hiring

1. Does the candidate hold a REWL, and is it endorsed for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment? Verify it through WorkSafe Queensland's online licence search, not a photo. Our guide to verifying a tradesperson's licence in Queensland walks through it.
2. Is it current? A REWL expired longer than 12 months needs a fresh application, not a renewal.
3. Does the role involve installs? If yes, you need a licensed electrician on the job, either the hire or someone else.
4. What refrigerant licence do they hold? The REWL covers the electrical side only. Refrigerant handling is a separate ARCtick question, covered in our post on ARCtick licence types.

Why this changes the hire

A refrigeration mechanic with a current REWL can close out most service calls alone. One without it needs an electrician for anything past the refrigerant circuit, which means two people on a job one should finish. That difference is worth paying for, and worth stating in the job ad so the right people apply.

HJ Recruitment places refrigeration mechanics, HVAC technicians and electricians with Queensland employers. See our HVAC and refrigeration recruitment, or talk to us about a role.

Sources- WorkSafe Queensland - Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment scope of work for REWL holders- WorkSafe Queensland - Restricted electrical work licences/permits- WorkSafe Queensland - Classes of licences