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Hire top-rated air conditioning specialists in VIC

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1,307+local providers

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$218 – $410

$141$899

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Greater Melbourne

Air conditioning specialists based across the regions of Greater Melbourne.

All air conditioning specialists in Greater Melbourne⁠

Where the air conditioning specialists are

824air conditioning specialists

  1. South East Melbourne206
  2. Outer East Melbourne121
  3. Western Melbourne94
  4. Inner South Melbourne83
  5. North East Melbourne83

+ 4 more regions in Greater Melbourne

See every region⁠

Regional VIC

Air conditioning specialists based in the regions outside Greater Melbourne.

Where the air conditioning specialists are

231air conditioning specialists

  1. Barwon48
  2. Latrobe & Gippsland48
  3. Hume38
  4. Loddon Campaspe27
  5. Goulburn Valley20

+ 3 more regions in Regional VIC

See every region⁠

What to expect when hiring air conditioning specialists in Victoria

Where air conditioning specialists in Victoria are based, how to choose one, what the job should cost, what a good quote includes and which licence to check.

Where air conditioning specialists are based in Victoria

South East Melbourne has the most air conditioning specialists in Victoria.

Air conditioning specialists based in each region

  • None listed yet
  • Water

The map shows approximately where businesses are based, but tradies will often travel for work. Darker shading means higher availability in an area.

Show regions as a list

More air conditioning specialists based here

Victoria: where air conditioning specialists are basedMap of 17 Victoria regions from ABS 2021 boundaries, with water shown. Regions are shaded from light to dark teal by how many air conditioning specialists are based there compared with the rest of the state; white regions have none listed. A list of regions grouped by band follows the map.
Region boundaries: ABS ASGS Edition 3 (2021), CC BY 4.0

How to choose a good air conditioning specialist in Victoria

Victoria has plenty of well-reviewed air conditioning specialists to choose from. Use these numbers as a reference point when you compare profiles and quotes.

Most air conditioning specialists here are rated highly, so it helps to check how many reviews sit behind a rating. The typical air conditioning specialist has 13 reviews. Of the 826 rated air conditioning specialists based in Victoria, 124 have 4.8 stars or more from at least 50 reviews.

SureQuote rankings take both star rating and review count into consideration to ensure you're seeing the best of the bunch. Updated October 2026.

average rating
4.53
typical reviews
13
what the best have
4.8★ · 50+

Star rating

45% of air conditioning specialists here have a perfect 5.0

Best: 4.8+

Number of reviews

Half have 13 or fewer reviews

Best: 50+ reviews

How do areas in Victoria compare?

AreaAverage star rating
North East Melbourne62 rated air conditioning specialists12 typical reviews
4.70
Frankston & Mornington Peninsula53 rated air conditioning specialists17 typical reviews
4.68
Inner South Melbourne62 rated air conditioning specialists14 typical reviews
4.61
Western Melbourne77 rated air conditioning specialists18 typical reviews
4.60
Inner Melbourne41 rated air conditioning specialists17 typical reviews
4.57
North West Melbourne61 rated air conditioning specialists10 typical reviews
4.55
All Victoria826 rated air conditioning specialists13 typical reviews
4.53
Outer East Melbourne86 rated air conditioning specialists15 typical reviews
4.38
South East Melbourne171 rated air conditioning specialists11 typical reviews
4.34

What air conditioning costs

Across Australia, air conditioning typically runs $218 – $410 for ac service, and $1,788 – $5,165 for ac installation.

Local prices vary, so these are typical Australia-wide ranges, not a quote for Victoria. What you'll pay comes down to the size of the job, the condition of what's being worked on, and the finish you choose. Get a few quotes to see your exact number. It's free.

Full air conditioning cost guideGet an instant estimate

Things to consider before you book

The local conditions that shape the job, the best time of year to book, and what to sort out before you choose a air conditioning specialist.

Bushfire Prone Land

  • Keep Gutters Clear and Check Council Rules

    Most of Victoria is classified as bushfire prone land — keeping gutters and roof valleys clear is especially important here. If your property is near bushland, check with council whether any specific requirements apply.

  • Cooler Months Mean Fewer Delays

    Summers in most of Victoria get warm — on hot days, your tradie will plan their work around the temperature throughout the day, tackling heat-sensitive tasks early and adjusting as conditions change.

What's in a good Air Conditioning quote?

A good quote spells out how the job is priced and what's covered (labour, materials, prep and clean-up), so you're comparing like for like. Check what each air conditioning specialist's quote covers before you choose.

Worth knowing: getting two or three quotes is the simplest way to land a fair price, and it costs you nothing.

  • 01
    Brand and model

    Exact indoor and outdoor model numbers, not just kW size.

  • 02
    ARCtick licence

    The refrigerant handling licence, required by law.

  • 03
    Electrical scope

    Whether a new circuit, isolator or switchboard upgrade is included.

  • 04
    Pipe run

    Back-to-back or extended, and how many metres are included.

  • 05
    Condensate drainage

    Where the water drains, gravity or pump, so it never leaks.

  • 06
    Inclusions and exclusions

    What is not covered, spelled out before the job.

Cheapest isn't always the best. Check these before you hire anybody.

  • Recent, genuine reviews

    Read the latest ones, not just the count

  • Experience near you

    Jobs like yours, done locally

  • Credentials for the job

    Licence, insurance and business details

  • A clear written quote

    Itemised, so you can compare like-for-like

Hiring an air conditioning specialist in VIC

What the law requires before and after you sign.

Air conditioning specialists need a licence in VIC for any job.

Split, cassette and ducted systems need a plumber registered or licensed for refrigerated air-conditioning or mechanical services work.

Licence
Plumbing registration or licence (mechanical services work; refrigerated air-conditioning work)
Categories
Plumbing: mechanical services work, Plumbing: refrigerated air-conditioning work
Regulator
Building and Plumbing Commission
Check a licence on the Building and Plumbing Commission register
Written contractover$10,000

The contract must be in writing and set out all its terms. The price includes labour, materials and GST.

Applies to air conditioning jobs.

Deposit cap

The cap is 5% of a contract price of $20,000 or more. It is 10% of a price under $20,000.

Applies to some air conditioning jobs.

Home warranty insuranceover$20,000

Home Warranty from the Building and Plumbing Commission covers contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026.

Applies to air conditioning jobs.

Cooling-off period5 business dayson contracts over $10,000

You can withdraw at any time in that period. It starts when you receive a copy of the signed contract.

Applies to air conditioning jobs.

A contract just for air-conditioning work does not get these protections. A bigger building job that includes it does.

Sources: Building Act 1993, bpc.vic.gov.au, Plumbing Regulations 2018, consumer.vic.gov.au, Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995. Checked 16 Oct 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Hiring air conditioning specialists

How much do air conditioning specialists typically charge?
Costs vary widely depending on the job. Quotes typically reflect system type and size, number of units, access and installation complexity, any refrigerant recovery or replacement needed, and whether after-hours attendance is required; the page shows live pricing you can review.
Do air conditioning specialists charge call-out fees?
Many air conditioning specialists charge a call-out fee to attend and assess the system, which is usually separate from labour and materials. Call-out fees are common and after-hours or emergency attendances are often charged at higher rates, so it’s worth confirming these details when requesting quotes.
Do air conditioning specialists need a licence in Australia?
Yes. Refrigeration and air conditioning work generally requires a licensed contractor in every Australian state and territory, with NSW Fair Trading the relevant authority in New South Wales. Look for a valid state air conditioning/refrigeration contractor licence and, where refrigerant handling is involved, an ARC Tick (RHL); providers will often also display industry memberships and public liability insurance.
Do I need a licensed Air Conditioning Specialist in Victoria?
In Victoria, this kind of work generally must be carried out by an appropriately licensed professional. When you compare air conditioning specialists in Victoria on SureQuote, you can check the credentials each business has provided before you choose.

Using SureQuote

Is the SureQuote estimate a quote, and why can a tradie's quote be different?
No. Your estimate is a guide price for a typical job that matches your answers. A tradie prices your actual job in their quote, once they've seen things like access, condition, materials and the full scope. Read the full answer
What happens after I submit my job, and how many tradies will contact me?
We email you your estimate and a link to your job. Up to 3 local tradies can take it and contact you to quote; only they get your name, phone and email, and you choose who to hire, if anyone. Read the full answer
Is it free to get quotes, and does the tradie's fee raise my price?
Yes, getting quotes is free and you don't have to hire anyone. Tradies pay us a capped fee to take your job, and we set it before they quote, so nothing is added to your quote. Read the full answer
Can I add photos to my job?
Yes. Add up to 10 photos in the chat after you give your contact details, or later from the job in Hire, and tradies see them before they take the job. Read the full answer
Do I have to hire one of the tradies?
No. Getting quotes is free, you're never obliged to hire anyone, and you pay only the tradie you choose to hire. Read the full answer
Does SureQuote check tradies' licences and insurance?
We collect each business's ABN, licence, insurance and warranty details and keep them as up to date as we can, so you can see them in one place on its profile. We don't guarantee them, so always check the licence yourself on the relevant licence register before you hire. Read the full answer

Questions about air conditioning in VIC

Do air conditioning specialists need a licence in VIC?

Air conditioning specialists need a licence in VIC for any job.

Split, cassette and ducted systems need a plumber registered or licensed for refrigerated air-conditioning or mechanical services work.

The licence is the Plumbing registration or licence (mechanical services work; refrigerated air-conditioning work).

How do I check an air conditioning specialist's licence in VIC?

Ask the air conditioning specialist for their licence number, then look them up on the Building and Plumbing Commission public register.

Check a licence
Who regulates air conditioning specialists in VIC?

Air conditioning specialists are regulated by Building and Plumbing Commission.

Are there exceptions to the licence rule for air conditioning specialists in VIC?

A contract just for air-conditioning work does not get these protections. A bigger building job that includes it does.

Gas work on the system needs a separate gasfitting licence.

Do I need a written contract with an air conditioning specialist in VIC?

Air conditioning jobs over $10,000 need a written contract.

The contract must be in writing and set out all its terms. The price includes labour, materials and GST.

A contract just for air-conditioning work does not get these protections. A bigger building job that includes it does.

How much deposit can an air conditioning specialist ask for in VIC?

The cap is 5% of a contract price of $20,000 or more. It is 10% of a price under $20,000.

Applies to some air conditioning jobs.

A contract just for air-conditioning work does not get these protections. A bigger building job that includes it does.

Does an air conditioning specialist have to give me home warranty insurance in VIC?

Air conditioning jobs over $20,000 need home warranty insurance.

Home Warranty from the Building and Plumbing Commission covers contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026.

A contract just for air-conditioning work does not get these protections. A bigger building job that includes it does.

Is there a cooling-off period for a contract with an air conditioning specialist in VIC?

You have 5 business days to cool off on contracts over $10,000.

You can withdraw at any time in that period. It starts when you receive a copy of the signed contract.

A contract just for air-conditioning work does not get these protections. A bigger building job that includes it does.

Sources: Building Act 1993, bpc.vic.gov.au, Domestic Building Contracts Regulations 2017, Plumbing Regulations 2018, consumer.vic.gov.au, Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995. Checked 16 Oct 2026.

Every region in VIC

Each region with its areas. Numbers are air conditioning specialists based there.

Greater Melbourne

Greater Melbourne hub⁠

Regional VIC

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