To work on air conditioning and refrigeration systems in South Africa you must be registered as an Authorised Person (refrigeration gas practitioner) under SAQCC Gas (the South African Qualification and Certification Committee for Gas). Anyone handling refrigerants is legally bound by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Pressure Equipment Regulations to hold this registration. The South African Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA) manages the registration on behalf of SAQCC Gas. Get registered first, then build your kit, your channels and your pricing.
How to register and get qualified
SARACCA handles the registration process for refrigeration gas practitioners on behalf of SAQCC Gas. The route:
- Complete a recognised safe-handling-of-refrigerants course.
- Be working in the industry as an installer or a trade-tested artisan.
- Pass a competency assessment covering the OHS Act, the Pressure Equipment Regulations, SANS 10147 (the refrigeration systems standard), Unit Standard 116700 (F-gases) and Unit Standard 116704 (ammonia) as applicable, plus global-warming and ozone-depletion implications, refrigerant identification, pressure testing, charging and safe recovery.
- Apply to SARACCA for registration verification. SARACCA allocates your category based on the work type and your skills profile.
You can also come in through the trade test as a Refrigeration Mechanic or Air-Conditioning Mechanic via QCTO and NAMB (an apprenticeship of about three years, or the RPL route). QCTO is the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and NAMB is the National Artisan Moderation Body.
The work is governed mainly by SANS 10147 (refrigerating systems, including plants associated with air conditioning). You must also keep up with the phase-out of CFC and HCFC refrigerants under the ozone-depleting-substances rules. SAQCC Gas is at www.saqccgas.co.za and SARACCA is at www.saracca.co.za. You can reach SARACCA at suzette@saracca.co.za. The registration fee is approximately R2,530 including VAT.
Kit and start-up costs
Refrigeration kit is the main cost, and the recovery machine can be hired at first. Approximate prices, so confirm current costs:
- Manifold gauge set (multi-refrigerant): about R3,000.
- Refrigerant recovery machine: about R8,000 to R15,000, or hire at first.
- Vacuum pump: about R3,000.
- Electronic leak detector: about R3,500.
- Digital thermometer and clamp meter: about R2,000.
- Nitrogen regulator and hoses: about R2,000.
- Copper pipe bender and pipe cutters: about R2,500.
- Drill and hole-saws: about R3,000.
- PPE: about R1,500.
A realistic launch kit lands at roughly R25,000 to R45,000.
What you can charge (estimates)
Public SA HVAC and refrigeration rates are thin, so treat the following as estimates, not fixed published rates:
- A split-unit installation (supply and install): roughly R8,000 to R18,000.
- An annual service contract per unit: roughly R800 to R1,500.
- Hourly service or repair rate: roughly R400 to R700 per hour.
Service contracts are the steady income here. Confirm your numbers against the local market.
Common mistakes
- Handling refrigerant without registration. It is a legal requirement under the OHS Act and the Pressure Equipment Regulations.
- Letting registration lapse so your work is no longer compliant.
- Ignoring the refrigerant phase-out. Using or sourcing banned refrigerants is a compliance and supply risk.
- Chasing only installs and missing the recurring income in annual service contracts.
- Putting off VAT. You must register for VAT once turnover passes R2.3 million from 1 April 2026, and you can register voluntarily from R120,000.
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