This TECHnote discusses the background and implications of Australia's phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants and the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, in conformance with international protocols and market forces. The alternatives to these refrigerants are less than ideal and impose obligations on designers, specifiers, installers and maintenance personnel to make sure resulting risks are managed. It discusses the impact of AS/NZS ISO 817 and AS/NZS 5149 Parts 1 to 4 on the selection and design for refrigerants.