The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) will continue to administer Australia’s refrigeration and air conditioning permit scheme after responsibility for the program moved to the National Environmental Protection Agency on 1 July 2026.
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Program transferred from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to the National EPA. The new independent agency now regulates the RAC permit scheme, with ARC administering it on the agency’s behalf.
ARC said the change will not affect the day-to-day operations of licence holders. Existing licences, permits and approvals remain valid, while current obligations, processes, contacts, systems and ARC staff remain unchanged.
“Licence holders are advised to continue meeting their current requirements,” ARC CEO Mark Lamb said. “All current obligations, processes, and contacts remain the same. Existing licences, permits, and approvals stay valid, and members will continue to interact with the same systems and staff at the ARC.”
