Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic – Service & Installation

The Opportunity Leading Energy is looking for an experienced Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic to join our electrical and HVAC team.

This is not a traditional service-only refrigeration role, and it is not a production installation position.

We are looking for a well-rounded tradesperson with strong service, diagnostic and fault-finding capability who is equally willing to be involved in installation, commissioning, rectification and project work.

Our work varies significantly from one day to the next. We need someone who enjoys that variety, takes ownership of their work, communicates professionally with customers and has a genuine willingness to get the job done.

Key Responsibilities

- Service, preventative maintenance and breakdown attendance across domestic and commercial air-conditioning systems
- Refrigeration and HVAC fault finding and diagnostics
- Mechanical and refrigeration rectification works
- Diagnosis of compressors, valves, coils, fans and refrigeration components
- Diagnosis of HVAC controls, sensors, solenoids, contactors, relays and associated control components
- Refrigerant recovery, evacuation, charging, pressure testing and leak detection
- Refrigeration pipework and brazing
- Installation of split-system and ducted air-conditioning systems
- Participation in multi-head, VRF/VRV and larger commercial HVAC installations
- System commissioning, testing and performance verification
- Accurate recording of findings, completed works and recommendations for further investigation or rectification
- Working alongside electricians, apprentices, installers and other tradespeople to deliver complete project outcomes

Customer Communication An important part of this role is the ability to communicate confidently and professionally with customers. Our technicians are often the person on site who identifies that an issue is different or more extensive than originally anticipated. You need to be capable of clearly explaining:

- What you have inspected or tested
- What you have identified
- What the findings mean for the operation of the system
- Where further investigation may be required
- What can and cannot reasonably be confirmed at that stage
- What the appropriate next step should be

You are not expected to be a salesperson.



You are expected to be a competent professional tradesperson who can explain technical information in plain language, exercise sound judgement and give customers confidence that their issue is being properly understood and managed.

A job may naturally progress from:

Scheduled Maintenance → Investigation → Diagnosis → Rectification

Part of your role is helping manage that transition professionally while keeping the office informed and working within your authority.

About You

You will ideally have

- Australian refrigeration and air-conditioning trade qualifications
- Current ARCtick refrigerant handling licence
- Current Victorian driver's licence
- Strong refrigeration fundamentals
- Genuine HVAC service, maintenance and diagnostic experience
- Strong mechanical fault-finding capability
- Experience diagnosing refrigeration and HVAC control systems
- Good refrigeration pipework and brazing skills
- Experience installing split-system and ducted air-conditioning systems
- Exposure to commercial HVAC, multi-head and/or VRF/VRV systems
- Experience commissioning air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment
- Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in the field
- Strong customer communication and documentation skills

More importantly, you will have a flexible approach to your trade. You should be comfortable attending a maintenance call, identifying a larger issue, diagnosing it, communicating it professionally and helping determine the next step.

You should be just as willing to fault-find a system as you are to contribute to installing, rectifying or commissioning one.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in the broader refrigeration and air-conditioning trade and does not see one area of the work as being beneath another.The Opportunity

We are not looking for someone who wants to do exactly the same work every day.





We are looking for a refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic who takes pride in the broader trade and enjoys solving problems.

- Someone who can attend a scheduled maintenance call, identify that there is a bigger issue, diagnose it, communicate it professionally and help determine the next step.
- Someone who can fault-find a system one day and contribute to installing or commissioning one the next.
- Someone who understands that being highly capable in one part of the trade does not make another part of the trade beneath them.

And ultimately, someone with the technical capability, customer confidence and flexible mindset to help us get the job done properly. If that sounds like the way you approach your trade, we'd like to hear from you.

About Leading Energy

Leading Energy is a multidisciplinary electrical and HVAC contractor operating across Melbourne's Bayside, South East and surrounding areas.

Our work spans domestic and commercial air-conditioning service, preventative maintenance, breakdowns, diagnostics, refrigeration rectification, split-system and ducted installations, multi-head systems, VRF/VRV systems, commercial HVAC projects, system upgrades and commissioning.

You will work alongside electricians, refrigeration and HVAC tradespeople, apprentices and management within a practical, hands-on business.

We value capability, accountability, communication and people who are prepared to contribute.

Working with Leading Energy

Leading Energy offers a varied working setting with exposure to service, diagnostics, rectification, installation, commissioning and project work.

Remuneration for this position is $50–$60 per hour + super, depending on experience, demonstrated capability and overall suitability for the role.

Work vehicle arrangements may be available depending on operational requirements and the requirements of the position.

We believe positive employment relationships work both ways. We provide our people with the opportunity, support and environment to apply and develop their skills, and we value people who take ownership, continue developing their capability and contribute positively to the team and the business.

For someone who demonstrates capability, reliability and value, we are a business that is prepared to recognise and support that contribution.

If that sounds like the way you approach your trade, we'd like to hear from you.

📌 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic – Service & Installation (Melbourne)
🏢 Leading Energy
📍 Melbourne