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Category: Regulations
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Incentives coming for heat pump water heaters
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program is proposing a new energy efficiency activity which provides financial incentives for businesses wishing to install an efficient heat pump water heater (HPWH). The proposed activity has been developed collaboratively by the VEU team and the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) team in New South Wales with a view to […]
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Towards a ratings scheme for space heaters
The Equipment Energy Efficiency Program (E3) has published a product profile on space heaters in Australia and New Zealand and is looking for feedback to support a ratings scheme for these appliances. According to E3, space heating accounts for around a third of residential energy use in Australia and New Zealand. Energy rating labelling and […]
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New occupational licensing system clears parliament
The government is charging towards a July 1, 2021 implementation date for its new Automatic Mutual Recognition legislation after the bill was passed by the Senate. The reform will enable licensed workers such as HVAC&R technicians to operate across jurisdictions, without having to apply, pay for and wait for a further licence to perform the […]
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NCC 2022 open for public comment
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is inviting comments on stage 1 of the NCC 2022 public comment draft (PCD). The National Construction Code (NCC) is updated every three years, based on required regulatory practices, industry research, public feedback provided, and policy directions from governments. Updated content is included in the PCD for consultation, seeking […]
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NSW confirms professional registration plans
The New South Wales government has taken the next step towards introducing professional registration of engineers and other building practitioners by gazetting the Design and Building Practitioners Regulation 2021. The regulation includes details on the classes of practitioners who must register, registration pathways and CPD requirements, lodgement of compliance declarations, insurance, and more. From July […]
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Reforming Victoria’s building regulatory system
The Building Reform Expert Panel is inviting feedback on the Framework for Reform and possible improvements to Victoria’s building system. A group established by the Victorian government to lead its review of the building legislative and regulatory system, the Panel is accepting feedback until May 19. The Panel has been asked to advise on changes […]
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Discussion begins on building manuals
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has developed a discussion paper about the potential for building manuals to address long-standing problems with inaccurate and incomplete building information. Issues with building documentation were highlighted in the Building Confidence Report, published in 2018. It recommended that each state and territory require a comprehensive building manual to be […]
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Compulsory demand response for AC?
The Department for Energy and Mining in South Australia has put forward proposed local demand response requirements for selected appliances, including air conditioners. Appliances with demand response (DR) capabilities can be used to shift load of appliances and to lower peak demand on the network. For air conditioners in particular, DR has the potential to […]
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New training units reach validation stage
Two new units of competency are being added to the Electrotechnology Training Package. The technical advisory committees (TACs) have now considered all stakeholder feedback and the draft materials are available for final validation to ensure they meet industry needs. The unit UEERA999Y Inspect, test and repair fire and smoke control features of mechanical services systems […]
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Next step for national licensing system
The Australian government has introduced the Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill 2021 to the House of Representatives. If it passes through parliament, it will see a new system for automatic mutual recognition (AMR) of occupational registration beginning on July 1, 2021. The legislation will allow workers with occupational licences who are registered for an occupation in […]
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IIAR safety standard for CO2 systems open for review
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has invited comments for the fourth public review of BSR/IIAR CO2-202x, Safety Standard for Closed-Circuit Carbon Dioxide Refrigeration Systems. The public review period runs until March 14. “Substantive changes resulting from this public review will also be provided for comment in a future public review if necessary,” the IIAR […]
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Workers urged to get flying start on licence applications
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is offering new arrangements for mechanical services workers who apply for their occupational licence ahead of the January 1, 2022 deadline. Employees who perform mechanical services work for a licensed contractor, including refrigeration and air conditioning, have until January 1, 2022 to hold the relevant occupational licence. Normally, […]
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Northern Territory to finally adopt Section J?
The Northern Territory government is considering adopting Section J of the National Construction Code (NCC), which will set out new energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings. The National Construction Code prescribes the minimum standard for buildings in Australia. Although it is a national code, each state and territory may decide whether or not to adopt […]
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Draft training units on VRF and fire and smoke control
New training units have been drafted for the electrotechnology training package and are open for comment. The two new units cover variable refrigerant flow (VRF) AC systems, and emergency lighting and alarm systems/fire and smoke control systems. Both will be included as an elective in Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration. The new unit of […]
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Building Confidence reforms open for comment
The Australia Building Codes Board (ABCB) is has released three discussion papers on responses to the Building Confidence Report (BCR), and is looking for input until February 28. The BCR was published in 2018 and identified significant problems with the compliance and enforcement systems for Australia’s building and construction industry. In response, the Building Ministers’ […]
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Plan to expand energy-efficiency upgrades
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has opened a public consultation to expand the range of energy efficiency upgrades available to households and businesses, as part of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. The VEU program is established under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) Act 2007 to help Victoria reduce its […]
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Next steps for phase-out of open-flued gas space heaters
Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has released a regulatory impact statement (RIS) on the phase-out of open-flued gas space heaters. The RIS is open for public consultation until February 22, 2021. Under certain circumstances, open-flued gas space heaters pose a risk of releasing unhealthy and sometimes lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide […]
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Cross-border licensing scheme open for comment
The federal government has taken the next step towards automatic mutual recognition of occupational licences across states and territories by releasing draft legislation for public comment. Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) will allow a person who is licenced or registered for an occupation in one jurisdiction to perform the same activities in another, without having to […]
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Last chance to comment on professional registration
The consultation on NSW’s draft Design and Building Practitioners Regulation – which introduces professional registration of engineers – closes on January 11. The regulation includes the details of registration schemes for design and building practitioners and engineers who work on multistorey, multi-unit residential apartment buildings. Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson has described […]
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New technologies eligible for Victorian Energy Upgrades
The Victorian government has set new targets for the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, and is expanding the range of technologies that households and businesses can access. The VEU program allows households and businesses to access discounts on energy-efficient products and services. This already includes reverse-cycle air conditioners for households, as well as a wider […]