How to become an Automotive Air Conditioning Fitter
Automotive air conditioning fitters install and repair air conditioning units in various types of vehicles and machinery, such as cars, trucks, vans and tractors.
Personal requirements for an Automotive Air Conditioning Fitter
- Enjoy practical and manual activities
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Aptitude for mechanical work
- Able to keep up to date with technological change
- Problem-solving skills.
Education & Training for an Automotive Air Conditioning Fitter
To become an automotive air conditioning fitter you usually have to complete a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Additional information
National environmental legislation requires those who work with refrigerant chemicals to possess special handling and/or trading licences issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (www.arctick.org).Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry. See the Learning pathways section for more information.
Duties & Tasks of an Automotive Air Conditioning Fitter
Automotive air conditioning fitters:
- Install, fit and connect the unit to the electrical wiring and engine
- Fill the unit with refrigerant and test it for leaks and malfunctions
- Carry out maintenance work on existing units, including testing, fault finding, dismantling, repair or replacement of faulty parts, reassembly and final testing.
Tasks
- Recording causes of malfunctioning and action taken
- Drilling holes, installing mounting brackets and cutting, bending and threading piping
- Removing test gas and fluid using vacuum pumps, and filling with refrigerant
- Filling systems with gas or fluid to check for leaks
- Adjusting system controls and mechanisms and reassembling systems
- Installing and repairing components such as compressors, motors, condensers, evaporators, switches and gauges, and copper lines for steam, gas, refrigerant, compressed air, oil and chilled water
- Establishing job requirements from drawings and specifications, and laying out installation reference points
- Checking and overhauling refrigeration systems, diagnosing faults and repairing and replacing defective components
- Test-operating refrigeration systems, checking mechanisms and making adjustments
- Bolting, soldering, riveting, welding and brazing pipes to connect equipment, and checking alignment and accuracy of fit
Working conditions for an Automotive Air Conditioning Fitter
Most of the work is done in a workshop.
Employment Opportunities for an Automotive Air Conditioning Fitter
Automotive air conditioning fitters usually work in specialised workshops. They may specialise in the installation, repair and servicing of passenger cars, trucks, buses and coaches, or other heavy vehicles. They may also work for motor vehicle dealers, the minerals industry, public works and transport, private firms with large fleets of vehicles, and defence, communications and energy supply authorities. Some automotive air conditioning fitters establish their own businesses.
Average age
37
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
4% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
84%
Employment Size
2,700
Employment by state
ACT: 1.7%
NSW: 33.6%
NT: 2.0%
QLD: 22.6%
SA: 8.0%
TAS: 1.4%
VIC: 18.3%
WA: 12.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 6.7%
20-24: 15.7%
25-34: 30.3%
35-44: 19.9%
45-54: 16.1%
55-59: 6%
60-64: 3.6%
65 and Over: 1.8%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4.9%
Bachelor degree: 2.3%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 71.8%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.4%
Year 10 and below: 5.4%
Year 11: 3.2%
Year 12: 11.9%
Years 11 & 10: 6.8%
