Australia Refrigerant Regulations
Understand Australia’s HFC import phase-down, the GWP 750 restrictions affecting selected small and multi-head air-conditioning equipment, refrigerant charging rules, technician licensing and the compliance checks that matter for HVAC/R projects in 2026.
Four layers shape refrigerant compliance in Australia
Australia combines federal ozone and synthetic-greenhouse-gas law with equipment restrictions, a national refrigerant permit scheme and state/territory safety obligations.
HFC Import Phase-Down
Bulk HFC imports are managed through a reducing quota under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management framework. Australia started one year ahead of the Kigali developed-country schedule.
High-GWP AC Equipment Restrictions
From 1 July 2024 and 1 July 2025, selected stationary comfort-cooling equipment designed for refrigerants above GWP 750 became restricted, with scope depending on equipment type and charge.
No Higher-GWP Recharge Rule
Since 1 January 2020, RAC equipment generally must not be charged with a refrigerant having a higher GWP than the design refrigerant, subject to specified exceptions.
ARC Licensing & Authorisations
Handling regulated fluorocarbon refrigerants requires the appropriate licence, while businesses acquiring, possessing or disposing of regulated refrigerant may require an authorisation.
Selected Australian HFC and equipment milestones
The federal framework uses a bulk-import quota plus specific equipment and charging controls rather than a single economy-wide GWP cap for every HVAC/R application.
| Requirement / Milestone | Limit / Threshold | Date | How to Read It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk HFC import quota — 2024–2025 | 5.25 Mt CO₂-e per year | 2024–2025 | Australia’s two-year quota period before the current 2026 step. |
| Bulk HFC import quota — 2026–2027 | 4.25 Mt CO₂-e per year | 2026–2027 | Current annual bulk-HFC import limit for each year of the allocation period. |
| Selected small stationary comfort AC | GWP >750 restricted | From 1 Jul 2024 | Covers specified equipment up to 2.6 kg charge such as portable, window/wall and outdoor units for non-ducted single-head split systems; existing equipment is not affected. |
| Multi-head split / VRF outdoor units | GWP >750 restricted | From 1 Jul 2025 | Applies to specified multi-head stationary comfort-AC equipment up to 2.6 kg charge; existing equipment is not affected. |
| RAC refrigerant charging | No higher GWP than design refrigerant | From 1 Jan 2020 | General rule with defined exceptions, including certain HCFC-to-HFC transitions and health/public-safety circumstances. |
| Long-term HFC quota | 1.607 Mt CO₂-e per year | From 2036 | Residual level equals 15% of baseline; it is a phase-down, not a complete HFC phase-out. |
Australia’s equipment restrictions contain definitions, exclusions and limited licensing pathways. Existing equipment imported or manufactured before the relevant start date can generally continue to be sold and operated under the published transition provisions.
Equipment restrictions do not mean existing R410A systems must be removed
Australia distinguishes new import/manufacture restrictions, bulk refrigerant availability and service rules for equipment already in operation.
Start with equipment scope and import licensing
For a new system or imported unit, identify whether the equipment falls within the 2024 or 2025 high-GWP restrictions and whether an Equipment Licence is required.
- Identify whether the product is single-head, multi-head, VRF, ducted, mobile or another excluded category.
- Check the compliance/rating-plate refrigerant charge against the relevant scope.
- Verify the design refrigerant GWP and whether it exceeds 750.
- Confirm whether an Equipment Licence, exemption or limited licensing pathway applies.
- Check electrical, mechanical, WHS and flammable-refrigerant safety requirements.
Start with the design refrigerant and service rules
Existing high-GWP systems are not automatically prohibited. Service work must follow charging rules, technician licensing and refrigerant recovery requirements.
- Use the equipment’s compliance plate and manufacturer documentation to identify the design refrigerant.
- Do not charge with a higher-GWP refrigerant than the design refrigerant unless a specific exception applies.
- Use an appropriately licensed technician when regulated fluorocarbon refrigerant is handled.
- Recover regulated refrigerant during decommissioning rather than venting it.
- For R22-era equipment, check the HCFC service restrictions and remaining controlled-substance supply rules.
R410A is above the 750-GWP threshold and is therefore affected in the defined small and multi-head comfort-AC equipment categories for new import/manufacture. R32 is below 750, which is one reason it became a major Australian comfort-AC refrigerant. This does not make R32 universally suitable for every existing R410A system.
Key HFC and equipment milestones from 2018 to 2036
Australia uses regular two-year quota reductions, plus selected equipment controls and service rules.
How Australian rules affect five common refrigerants
These cards show regulatory positioning, not universal equipment approval. Safety classification, manufacturer approval and state/territory rules still apply.
Above the 750 threshold used in Australia’s defined small and multi-head comfort-AC equipment restrictions. Existing systems are not automatically prohibited.
Explore R410A →Below the federal 750 equipment threshold, but A2L safety, equipment approval and Australian Standards remain essential.
Explore R32 →Not a regulated fluorocarbon under the Commonwealth refrigerant-handling licence scheme, but hydrocarbon safety and state/territory WHS requirements are critical.
Explore R290 →A natural refrigerant pathway for suitable refrigeration systems; high operating pressure requires dedicated architecture and pressure-rated components.
Explore R744 →Important industrial natural refrigerant. Commonwealth fluorocarbon permits are not the main regulatory issue; toxicity, WHS and plant-safety rules are.
Explore R717 →Refrigerant permits are central to Australia’s service framework
The Australian Refrigeration Council administers the national RAC permit scheme on behalf of the federal regulator for regulated fluorocarbon refrigerants.
A permit does not replace safety and retrofit engineering
Federal refrigerant permits address controlled fluorocarbon handling and trading. System safety remains a separate obligation.
- Follow the charging rule: do not move to a higher-GWP refrigerant than the design refrigerant except where a stated exception applies.
- Do not change from an A1 refrigerant to A2L/A3 simply because the GWP is lower unless the system is properly converted under applicable standards and laws.
- Recover refrigerant during decommissioning and end-of-life processing.
- Use manufacturer guidance and appropriate leak testing when retrofitting.
Use the rule that matches the Australian project decision
Start with equipment and refrigerant type, then separate import/product controls from service and safety requirements.
Verify Australian rules with primary government sources
The federal regulator is transitioning relevant environmental functions to the National Environmental Protection Agency in 2026, so always use the current government source and legislation for a project decision.
Verify the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, associated Regulations, current National EPA / DCCEEW guidance, equipment documentation and state/territory requirements for the exact project.
Planning HVAC/R equipment for the Australian market?
Use the Refrigerant Finder to screen low-GWP candidates, then verify equipment-scope, refrigerant permits, charging rules, safety standards and manufacturer approval before specifying a system.