Migrate by occupation / Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic

MLTSSL

Migrate to Australia as an airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic

Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic is on the MLTSSL and in steady demand as building and cold-chain infrastructure expands. Like all trades it is better suited to employer sponsorship or a regional 491 than the points-tested 189. The TRA assessment and the licensing you need to work in the trade are two separate things - plan both.

The essentials

Occupation
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
ANZSCO code
342111
Occupation list
MLTSSL — Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
Visas it supports
Subclass 189, 190, 491, 485
Assessed by
TRA
Assessment cost
varies by program; the Job Ready Program runs to several thousand dollars in stages
Assessment time
offshore assessment a few months; the Job Ready Program takes at least a year

Which visas actually fit

Subclass 189unlikelyTrades rarely accumulate enough points for independent selection.
Subclass 190possibleNominated by several states, though usually with employment requirements.
Subclass 491strongRegional programs actively want trades. Often the most realistic skilled route.
Subclass 482strongEmployer sponsorship is the dominant route for trades and skips the points test entirely.

Check your points and pathways →

Your skills assessment

Before you can apply for any skilled visa as a airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic, TRA must assess your skills. They generally need:

  • A relevant trade qualification and documented employment.
  • For onshore Temporary Graduate visa holders: the Job Ready Program, which includes a workplace assessment.
  • For offshore applicants: the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, often including a practical assessment.
The Job Ready Program is measured in years, not weeks

The onshore trades pathway requires paid employment in your nominated trade plus a workplace assessment, and realistically takes over a year from start to positive outcome. If you are on a Temporary Graduate visa, start immediately - people routinely run out of visa before finishing the program.

Where airconditioning and refrigeration mechanics are nominated

Regional and resource states are the most receptive. Western Australia in particular weights heavily toward construction and mining trades.

Worth knowingThe points test undervalues trades. If you are in a trade, an employer-sponsored route is usually a better use of your effort than chasing points.

Compare state nomination programs →

Data sourceOccupation, list membership and assessing authority from LIN 19/051, the compilation in force 28 March 2026, read on 21 July 2026. Occupation lists and assessment requirements change - confirm the current position before you pay any fee.

Registered migration agents

We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.

How the directory works

Placement shown on the airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic migration page.

General information, not migration advice. myPRJourney summarises publicly available information about Australian visas so you can understand your options. It does not assess your case, and it is not a substitute for advice from a registered migration agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner. Migration rules, occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change frequently and sometimes without notice. This page was last reviewed on 21 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.