Check the layout and permissions before installation
In short
Choose a Perth installer who assesses the rooms and outdoor-unit location, identifies who will handle refrigerant and electrical work, and quotes the complete installed system. Check the technician's ARCtick licence scope and the WA electrical licences for the connection work. Resolve strata permissions where needed and ask how the proposed position will meet WA noise requirements, including at night. Compare models, pipe routes, drainage, access and electrical costs before booking.
Step 1
Show the installer the rooms and possible unit positions
Describe which rooms need cooling or heating, when you use them and whether you are replacing an existing system. A split system connects an indoor unit to an outdoor unit. A ducted system distributes air to several rooms through ducts. Ask the installer to explain the proposed capacity using room dimensions, windows, insulation and sun exposure.
Photograph possible outdoor positions and the route between the units. Include nearby windows, shared paths and fences so the installer can assess access, drainage and noise. Photograph the switchboard exterior safely; leave opening electrical covers and assessing the supply to the electrician.
Details that can change the installation scope
| Your job | Ask the installer to assess |
|---|---|
| New split system in a house | Room size and sun exposure, outdoor location, pipe length, drain route and the electrical connection. |
| Apartment or strata villa | Lot boundaries, external walls, common property, proposed mounting points and nearby bedrooms. |
| Replacing an old system | Model labels, removal and refrigerant recovery, and whether existing pipes, cables and supports are suitable for reuse. |
| Ducted installation | Roof-space access, ducts, outlets, zones and controls, with retained and replaced parts listed separately. |
Step 2
Check the licences for each part of the job
Ask for the refrigerant technician's Australian Refrigeration Council licence number and type. The restricted RSS03 licence covers installation and decommissioning of single-head split air conditioners under 18 kW. It does not cover general repair work or every system type. For multi-head, ducted or repair work, check that the licence entitlement covers the proposed work.
WA electrical work requires the relevant electrical licence. Ask which electrical contractor and electrician will do the connection, new circuit or switchboard work. Electrical contractor numbers start with EC and electrician numbers with EW; use the WA Government licence search linked from its electrical safety guidance. Match the electrical business to the named contractor in the scope.
If the air conditioning company uses a separate electrician, confirm who books them and whether their work is included. Ask about relevant insurance, experience with your system, service area and a proposed installation date directly with the company.
Step 3
Resolve strata permissions and outdoor-unit noise
For a strata apartment or villa, check the scheme plan and current by-laws before choosing the unit position. WA approval requirements depend on the scheme type, lot boundaries and effects on common property. Default conduct by-laws also address things visible outside a lot that do not fit the building's appearance. Send the proposed layout, wall penetrations, mounting and drainage details to the strata manager or strata company and obtain the required approval before work starts.
Ask the installer to assess noise at neighbouring properties for the proposed location, especially if you plan to run the system overnight. City of Joondalup guidance explains that installers must comply with WA's Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. A unit advertised as quiet, or compliant with an Australian Standard, may still exceed the permitted noise levels at its installed location.
Have the quote identify any proposed vibration control or noise treatment. Confirm that these measures preserve the manufacturer's airflow and service clearances. Ask your property's local council about any planning or building requirements for the proposed installation, particularly where heritage restrictions may apply.
Step 4
Compare the same brief and complete installed scope
Send each company your suburb, property type, room measurements, photos, preferred unit positions and approval status. For example: a Scarborough villa needs heating and cooling in the living room; the proposed outdoor location faces a neighbour's bedroom; strata permission is pending. Ask for a site assessment and an alternative position if needed.
Compare exact indoor and outdoor model numbers, capacity and controls. Ask what a 'standard installation' includes and which assumptions need a site visit. A quote should explain extra pipe length, difficult access, electrical changes and any making good of walls. Clarify GST where applicable, deposits, payment stages and how changes will be priced and approved.
Step 5
Check operation and collect the completion records
Ask for a demonstration of heating, cooling, controls and any zones. Have the installer confirm drainage and commissioning checks, explain filter cleaning and show how to isolate the equipment safely. Compare the completed locations and pipe route with the accepted scope and any strata approval.
For electrical installation work requiring a certificate, the WA electrical contractor must give you an electrical safety certificate within 28 days. WA's guidance excludes maintenance and like-for-like equipment replacement from this requirement; ask the contractor which applies to your job.
Keep model and serial numbers, the invoice, electrical certificate where required, warranty terms and approval records. Confirm who handles an installation fault and who handles an equipment warranty claim, and record any outstanding work with a completion date.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- WA Government: having electrical work done
WA electrical licensing, EC and EW licence prefixes, licence search and electrical safety certificates within 28 days, including stated exceptions.
- Australian Refrigeration Council: licence types
Refrigerant handling entitlements and the RSS03 restriction to installation and decommissioning of single-head split air conditioners under 18 kW.
- Landgate: WA Strata Living Guide
Scheme boundaries, by-laws, exterior appearance and renovation approvals, including differences between strata and survey-strata schemes.
- City of Joondalup: noise management and complaints
Perth metropolitan council guidance on outdoor-unit placement, installer obligations under WA noise regulations and quieter night-time limits.
