The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is reminding refrigeration and air conditioning technicians and businesses to comply with legal requirements following an increase in Commonwealth penalty unit rates. From 1 July 2026, the penalty unit rose from AUD 330 (about USD 220) to AUD 364 (about USD 243) under section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914, increasing fines for offences linked to penalty units.
Penalties apply to unlicensed work, unauthorised trading, false representations and breaches of permit conditions. Fines for these offences range from AUD 21,840 (about USD 14,600) for individuals to AUD 109,200 (about USD 73,000) for corporations.
The most severe penalties apply to unlawful discharges of high-GWP refrigerants. These offences can result in fines of up to AUD 145,600 (about USD 97,300) for individuals and AUD 728,000 (about USD 486,600) for corporations.
ARC urges ARCtick permit holders to ensure their licences remain valid, confirm that their licences cover the specific tasks they perform, and maintain accurate records to meet compliance standards. Working with an expired licence or outside its scope can lead to penalties under the increased rates.
