Choosing the right air conditioning technician in Perth comes down to four checks: valid licences, transparent pricing, a written workmanship guarantee, and genuine local experience. In Western Australia, a technician must hold a current ARC refrigerant handling licence to touch refrigerant and a WA restricted electrical licence to connect the unit to power. If either is missing, the work is illegal and it can void your manufacturer’s warranty. At SolusAir, our technicians carry both licences plus $20 million in public liability cover, and we answer service calls in under 30 minutes on average across the Perth metro area. This guide walks through exactly what to verify before you hand over a deposit.
What licences does an air conditioning technician need in Perth?
Two licences are non-negotiable for residential air conditioning work in WA, and a third is coming for engineers.
- ARC refrigerant handling licence (RHL): Anyone who installs, services or repairs an AC system that contains refrigerant must hold a current refrigerant handling licence issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council. Handling refrigerant without one is an offence under Commonwealth law.
- WA restricted electrical licence: Connecting or disconnecting a unit to mains power requires a restricted electrical licence issued by WA’s Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. This covers the wiring and circuit work involved in an install.
From 1 July 2027, registration becomes mandatory in WA for mechanical building engineers, the discipline that covers HVAC&R work, with AIRAH acting as an accredited assessor. For a standard residential job, the two licences above are what matter most, so make sure your technician holds both before any work begins.
Full RAC licence vs restricted split-system licence
Not every refrigerant licence covers every job. The type of licence a technician holds sets the limit on what they are legally allowed to work on, and it is one of the most overlooked details when hiring.
| Licence type | Scope of work allowed |
| Full refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) licence | Work on any AC or refrigeration system of any size, including full installation, servicing, repair and maintenance. |
| Restricted (split-system) licence | Work only on single split systems under 18 kW. Not qualified for multi-split or ducted systems, or general AC service beyond that scope. |
A holder of a restricted licence is limited to small split systems. If you are installing a ducted system or a multi-head setup, confirm the technician holds a full RAC licence, not a restricted one.
How do you verify a technician’s licence in WA?
Ask for the licence number and surname, then check it against the public register. A licensed technician will volunteer this without hesitation.
The Australian Refrigeration Council runs a free online lookup where you can confirm an ARC licence is current before you book. Ask the technician to show you their licence card on site as well. In our experience at SolusAir, a reluctance to share a licence number is the single clearest sign to walk away. Reputable installers treat verification as normal, not an insult.
What should a fair air conditioning quote include?
A reliable technician gives you a detailed, fixed quote before any work starts, with parts and labour listed separately. There should be no surprise costs at the end.
Watch for these markers of a trustworthy quote:
- Fixed pricing in writing. The figure you agree to should be the figure you pay. Our own policy at SolusAir is simple: the quote is the invoice, with no hidden fees.
- Itemised parts and labour. You should be able to see what you are paying for.
- An electrical compliance certificate on completion. In Australia, the installer must supply this certificate after the job. It is required to keep your manufacturer’s warranty valid, so never accept an install without one.
How much does air conditioning installation cost in Perth?
Costs vary with the system type, the site, and the complexity of the run. The figures below are typical industry ranges for supply and installation, useful for sanity-checking a quote rather than as fixed prices.
| System type | Typical supply and install cost |
| Single split system | $1,500 to $2,000 |
| Fully ducted system | $6,200 to $6,900 |
Always get at least two written quotes so you can compare on a like-for-like basis. A quote that sits far below these ranges often signals an unlicensed operator or corners being cut on parts.
What warranty should you expect from an AC installer?
Look for a written guarantee on the workmanship, separate from the manufacturer’s warranty on the equipment. This is what protects you if something goes wrong shortly after the job.
A quality installer guarantees their own labour and puts that promise in writing. At SolusAir we back new air conditioning installations with a 5-year workmanship warranty and every repair with 12 months on the work, on top of the manufacturer’s cover on the unit. If a technician will not put their guarantee in writing, treat that as a gap you will pay for later.
Warning signs of an unqualified air conditioning installer
Unlicensed operators tend to share a common set of red flags. Any one of these is a reason to pause; two or more is a reason to keep looking.
- A quote well below the typical range, often paired with a demand for a large cash deposit upfront.
- Unwillingness to put the quote, scope and terms in writing.
- No licence number offered, or a refusal to show a licence card.
- No mention of an electrical compliance certificate.
- No public liability insurance, or no proof of it when asked.
- No references, reviews or verifiable past work.
An unlicensed install can void your warranty, fail an insurance claim, and leave you paying twice when the work has to be redone by a licensed technician.
What questions should you ask before hiring?
A short list of direct questions tells you a lot about how a technician works. A good one answers clearly and gives practical advice rather than a hard sales pitch.
- Are you fully licensed and insured, and can I see the details?
- What system size and type would you recommend for my home and budget?
- Do you carry out a site assessment before quoting?
- Do you handle ongoing servicing and maintenance, or only the install?
- Will I receive an electrical compliance certificate on completion?
Technicians who install and then maintain the same system tend to diagnose faults faster later on, because they already know the system’s history. This is worth confirming for ducted setups in particular, where ongoing ducted system cleaning keeps airflow and efficiency up over the years.
Why does local Perth experience matter?
Perth’s climate is demanding, with long stretches of heat that push systems hard. A technician who works across WA conditions every day sizes and installs units for the load they will actually carry.
Local response times matter just as much as local knowledge. When a unit fails in the middle of a heatwave, a nearby team gets to you faster. We provide same-day service across the Perth metro area for bookings placed before 11am, and 24/7 emergency support when a system goes down at the worst possible time. You can see our full WA service areas to check coverage for your suburb.
How do you check reviews, insurance and references?
Read recent third-party reviews and confirm the technician carries public liability insurance before you commit. Both are quick to check and both protect you.
Australian trade platforms show that AC installers generally rate highly, often around 4.9 out of 5, but individual businesses vary, so read the recent reviews rather than the headline score. Look for comments that mention transparent pricing and clean, tidy work. On insurance, ask the company to confirm its public liability cover in writing. Insurance protects your property if something is damaged during the job. You can also learn a lot about a company’s track record from its about page and how openly it publishes its credentials.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licensed technician to install a split system in Perth?
Yes. Even a single split system involves refrigerant and mains wiring, so the installer must hold both an ARC refrigerant handling licence and a WA restricted electrical licence. A DIY or unlicensed install can void the manufacturer’s warranty and breach WA regulations.
What is an electrical compliance certificate?
It is a document the licensed installer must provide after connecting your system to power. It certifies the electrical work meets Australian standards and is required to keep your manufacturer’s warranty valid.
Can a restricted-licence holder install a ducted system?
No. A restricted split-system licence only covers single split systems under 18 kW. Ducted and multi-split installations require a full refrigeration and air conditioning licence.
How many quotes should I get for an aircon install?
Get at least two written, itemised quotes. Comparing them helps you spot an unusually low bid that may signal an unlicensed operator, and confirms you are paying a fair market rate.
Choosing with confidence
The right Perth technician is fully licensed for both refrigerant and electrical work, quotes in writing with no hidden fees, backs the job with a workmanship guarantee, and knows WA conditions firsthand. Check the licence, compare at least two quotes, and read recent reviews, and you can hire with confidence.
If you would like a licensed, fully insured team with fixed upfront pricing and fast local response, get in touch with SolusAir for a quote on your Perth air conditioning job.
