Cert III Air Conditioning & Refrigeration study plan
Cert III Air Conditioning & Refrigeration · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Installation and Commissioning of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems & Work Health and Safety and Environmental Compliance
Map the commissioning sequence for a split system from pre-installation site check to handover, listing each step in order
Identify the personal protective equipment and hazard controls required before brazing, pressure testing and refrigerant charging
Explain safe refrigerant cylinder handling, storage and transport rules including segregation and ventilation
Draft a site-specific risk assessment for a rooftop condensing unit installation with at least eight hazards and controls
Your checkpoint
A one-page commissioning checklist plus a completed risk assessment template for a rooftop install
Installation and Commissioning of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems & Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Fundamentals (Thermodynamics, Pressure-Temperature, Refrigerants)
Size and select copper pipe diameters and insulation thickness for two example systems using manufacturer data
Perform leak testing with dry nitrogen and evacuate a system to a target micron level, recording the standing vacuum result
Calculate superheat and subcooling from gauge and thermometer readings for a fixed-orifice and a TXV system
Describe correct brazing practice including nitrogen purge, flux selection and pressure test hold times
Your checkpoint
A worked installation and evacuation record for one practice system showing pressures, vacuum decay and final superheat/subcooling values
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Fundamentals (Thermodynamics, Pressure-Temperature, Refrigerants) & Electrical and Control Systems for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Interpret a pressure-temperature chart for at least three common refrigerants and convert gauge to absolute pressures
Explain the vapour-compression cycle stage by stage and locate each stage on a sketch
Identify refrigerant safety classifications, GWP values and ozone-depletion status for the main refrigerant families
Read a basic wiring diagram and trace the control circuit from thermostat through contactor to compressor
Your checkpoint
A labelled PT chart summary sheet and a hand-drawn refrigeration cycle diagram annotated with temperatures and pressures
Electrical and Control Systems for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning & Work Health and Safety and Environmental Compliance
Wire and test a simulated control circuit including thermostat, contactor, overload and start capacitor
Measure voltage, current and resistance safely with a multimeter on a live low-voltage circuit under supervision
Explain electrical isolation and lock-out/tag-out procedures before servicing control panels
Interpret protection device ratings and select the correct fuse or breaker for a given circuit
Your checkpoint
A fault-injected control circuit diagnosed and repaired, with a written record of measured values and the isolation steps taken
Fault Finding, Diagnosis and Repair & Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Fundamentals (Thermodynamics, Pressure-Temperature, Refrigerants)
Apply a systematic diagnostic sequence to at least four simulated faults covering refrigerant, airflow and electrical categories
Diagnose low superheat, high superheat, low subcooling and high head pressure scenarios and state the likely cause and remedy
Use pressure, temperature and current readings together to distinguish a restriction from an undercharge
Document each diagnosis with readings, reasoning and the corrective action taken
Your checkpoint
A fault-finding log of four resolved scenarios, each with initial readings, diagnosis rationale and repair outcome
Fault Finding, Diagnosis and Repair & Maintenance, Service and Decommissioning
Develop a preventive maintenance schedule covering coils, filters, belts, drains and electrical connections for a commercial unit
Perform refrigerant recovery into a recovery cylinder and record weights before and after
Explain decommissioning steps including refrigerant reclaim, oil disposal and safe isolation of electrical supply
Identify environmental compliance obligations for refrigerant handling, record keeping and leak reporting
Your checkpoint
A completed maintenance schedule template plus a refrigerant recovery and decommissioning record for one practice unit
Maintenance, Service and Decommissioning & Communication, Documentation and Customer Service
Write a service report that records work performed, readings, parts used and recommendations in clear plain language
Explain a technical fault and its repair to a non-technical customer in under two minutes without jargon
Apply workplace record-keeping requirements for refrigerant use, waste disposal and job sign-off
Demonstrate active listening and clarifying questions in a simulated customer complaint about repeat breakdowns
Your checkpoint
A polished service report and a two-minute recorded or role-played customer explanation of a repair
Workplace Practice, Teamwork and Industry Compliance & Work Health and Safety and Environmental Compliance & Communication, Documentation and Customer Service
Consolidate weak areas by re-attempting practice questions from every domain and logging error patterns
Explain team roles, permit systems and escalation paths on a multi-trade installation site
Review industry licensing, codes of practice and environmental obligations relevant to the trade
Complete a timed mixed-domain practice exam under realistic conditions
Your checkpoint
A timed 60-question mixed practice exam with a scored review sheet listing every missed topic and a revision action
Milestones
Week 2: Can perform and document a nitrogen pressure test and evacuation to target vacuum without reference notes
Week 4: Can trace and repair a control circuit fault while correctly applying isolation procedures
Week 6: Can complete refrigerant recovery and a preventive maintenance schedule to a professional standard
Week 8: Scores at least 80 percent on the timed mixed practice exam with all weak topics logged