The Short Answer
No. R410A is not banned in Australia. Installed R410A air conditioners and VRF systems can keep running, and technicians can still buy HFC refrigerant to service them. The Australian Government states that existing equipment already in Australia is not affected by the HFC phase-down, and that there is no requirement to replace the HFC in existing equipment.
What has changed is the new equipment coming into the market. Since 1 July 2024 for single split systems, and since 1 July 2025 for multi-head split and VRF outdoor units, equipment designed to use an HFC with a global warming potential (GWP) of more than 750 can no longer be imported or manufactured in Australia, where its standard refrigerant charge is 2.6 kg or less. R410A has a GWP of 2,088, so new R410A outdoor units of these types with a charge of 2.6 kg or less fall inside those rules.
For building owners: an R410A system that is running well today can stay in service. The rules govern new equipment entering Australia, not systems already installed.
Two Separate Rules: the Phase-Down and the Equipment Restrictions
The two are often confused, and they do different jobs.
1. The HFC phase-down (bulk refrigerant)
Australia started a gradual phase-down of HFC imports on 1 January 2018. It is managed through an annual import quota that reduces over 18 years, and its end point, 15% of the baseline level, is reached on 1 January 2036. The phase-down applies to bulk imports of HFCs, such as gas in cylinders. It does not apply to gas imported in pre-charged equipment such as air conditioners. The government’s “Australia’s HFC Phase-Down” fact sheet is clear on servicing: technicians will still be able to purchase HFCs to maintain equipment.
2. The equipment restrictions (new air conditioners)
The second rule controls which new equipment can be imported or manufactured. It was introduced by the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2024, in two parts.
| EQUIPMENT | FROM | RESTRICTED WHEN |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit of a single head split system, portable air conditioners, and single-unit wall or window air conditioners | 1 July 2024 | It uses an HFC with a GWP above 750 and has a standard refrigerant charge of 2.6 kg or less |
| Outdoor unit of a multi-head split system, including VRF | 1 July 2025 | It uses an HFC with a GWP above 750 and has a standard refrigerant charge of 2.6 kg or less |
Both parts cover equipment designed to be used primarily to cool or heat a stationary space for human comfort. The government’s explanatory statement lists equipment the restrictions are not intended to cover, including:
- Close control air conditioners for computer rooms and electrical enclosures
- Evaporative coolers and other cooling systems that are not vapour compression
- Air-to-water units that heat or cool a space by circulating water or another fluid
- Dehumidifiers
- Air conditioners designed and sold only for mobile applications, such as caravans, camper vans and boats
The restriction is tied to the unit’s standard refrigerant charge of 2.6 kg or less, so check the charge shown on the outdoor unit’s rating plate. HVAC&R News reports that equipment imported or manufactured before each start date may still be sold after it.
What It Means for VRF Projects
For a commercial site, the practical question is usually what to specify when a system is extended or replaced. Daikin is one manufacturer moving its VRF range to a lower-GWP refrigerant. On 2 November 2026, Climate Control News reported that Daikin Australia has launched VRV 7, the company’s first VRV platform on R32, available across Australia from 2 November 2026.
- VRV 7 S: compact side-discharge design, 11.2 kW to 24 kW
- VRV 7 R: top-discharge modular design, 16 kW to 67 kW, with modules combining for larger buildings up to 167 kW
One point for installers and consultants: Climate Control News notes that R32 VRV systems fall under the flammable refrigerant safety provisions of AS/NZS 60335.2.40, alongside the installation requirements of the AS/NZS 5149 series. Those standards shape design and installation, so they belong in the conversation early in the project.
For contractors: whichever refrigerant the new system runs, check the manufacturer’s installation requirements against AS/NZS 60335.2.40 and AS/NZS 5149 at design stage.
What Comes Next in Australia
More change is signalled. VASA reported in April 2026 that the federal environment department’s Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) workplan for 2026-27 flags new restrictions on refrigerant use, including in pre-charged equipment, that could be finalised by 1 July 2027 under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
The government’s “HFC gas and HFC equipment: Quick Facts” sheet states that any future bans on HFC equipment would only apply to new equipment being imported or manufactured. The detail of the 2027 measures is still to be set.
Who Can Work on Refrigerant Systems (Australia)
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) runs the refrigerant licence scheme. In the ARC’s words, “any person who handles refrigerant or works on RAC equipment must hold a refrigerant handling licence.” A separate Refrigerant Trading Authorisation allows businesses and sole traders to acquire, store and dispose of refrigerants. Owners can ask any contractor for their licence details before work starts.
New Zealand: Regulated Refrigerant Stewardship from 1 April 2027
New Zealand is moving at the same time. On 6 October 2026, the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) announced the Waste Minimisation (Synthetic Refrigerants) Regulations 2026. They cover synthetic refrigerants such as HFCs and other fluorinated gases used in heating, cooling, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
- From 1 April 2027, anyone selling, installing, maintaining, recovering or destroying synthetic refrigerants in New Zealand will need to take part in the regulated scheme.
- Businesses handling the gases and related equipment will register with the scheme and collect and report data to the scheme manager, the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants.
- The current voluntary scheme continues until 1 April 2027.
- A second tranche of regulations from 2030 will add competency requirements for handling synthetic refrigerants.
For New Zealand installers and service businesses, the next five months are the time to get registration and record-keeping ready.
Controls for New and Existing VRF
Whether a site keeps its R410A VRF in service or plans a replacement, bring the controls into the conversation early. A Nexus 8, 16 or 32 sits on the VRF system’s own central control line and controls up to 32 indoor units from one controller, across 14 VRF brands including Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, LG, Samsung and Fujitsu. On/off, mode, fan speed, setpoint and fault codes come into one app, and Nexus iQ shows live outdoor unit data such as pressures, compressor frequency and temperatures, where the unit reports them.
AirNexus supplies the controls and your HVAC contractor installs them. Send us the brand, model and indoor unit count and we’ll confirm the controls to suit.
Sources
- Australian Government, “Australia’s HFC Phase-Down” fact sheet
- Australian Government, “HFC gas and HFC equipment: Quick Facts”
- Federal Register of Legislation, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2024 (F2024L00730), amending instrument, with explanatory statement
- HVAC&R News, “Ban on small AC finalised” (26 June 2024)
- HVAC&R News, “New restrictions for multi-head splits and VRF systems” (23 June 2025)
- Climate Control News, “First VRV platform on R32” (2 November 2026)
- VASA, “Australia flags new HFC restrictions, lists refrigerants on 2026-27 IChEMS workplan” (23 April 2026)
- Australian Refrigeration Council, “Who needs a refrigerant handling licence?”
- Australian Refrigeration Council, “What is the difference between a Refrigerant Trading Authorisation and a Refrigerant Handling Licence?”
- MCERT (New Zealand), “New regulations and product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants announced” (6 October 2026)
- HVAC&R News, “NZ announces refrigerant stewardship scheme” (19 October 2026)
R410A and refrigerant rules: frequently asked questions
Is R410A banned in Australia?
No. Installed R410A systems can keep running and be serviced. Since 1 July 2024 (single split) and 1 July 2025 (multi-head split and VRF), new outdoor units designed to use an HFC with a GWP above 750, with a standard refrigerant charge of 2.6 kg or less, can no longer be imported or manufactured in Australia.
Can I still get my R410A air conditioner serviced?
Yes. The Australian Government states that existing equipment is not affected by the HFC phase-down and that technicians will still be able to purchase HFCs to maintain equipment. The work must be done by a holder of a refrigerant handling licence.
Does the restriction apply to VRF systems?
From 1 July 2025 it covers the outdoor unit of a multi-head split system, including VRF, where the unit uses an HFC with a GWP above 750 and has a standard refrigerant charge of 2.6 kg or less. Check the charge on the outdoor unit’s rating plate.
When does New Zealand’s refrigerant stewardship scheme start?
1 April 2027. From that date anyone selling, installing, maintaining, recovering or destroying synthetic refrigerants in New Zealand will need to take part in the regulated scheme run by the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants.