Welder

Welders combine traditional metalworking skills with modern manufacturing techniques to produce everything from massive industrial equipment to precise mechanical parts.

As a Welder you’ll shape, weld, and assemble metal components that form the backbone of industries worldwide.

Your role may include duties as follows: 

1. Reading and interpreting drawings and specifications.
2. Metalworking including marking-up, cutting, shaping, bending, bolting and riveting.
3. Working with hand tools, metal cutters, cutting torches, lathes and welders etc.
4. Quality testing to ensure the metal outcome reflects the requirements.
5. Material repair and maintenance for ensuring safety.

This career is hands-on and creative, blending craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. From interpreting technical drawings to crafting high-precision parts and structures, your skills turn engineering designs into durable, real world products.

Vocational Education Training Options

An apprenticeship with a manufacturer is the best pathway to gain employment as a Welder. You may find it useful to undertake a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20422) while you are at school or before commencing an apprenticeship to introduce you to the manufacturing concepts and equipment used.

You can undertake the following qualifications as apprenticeships:

• Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking) (MEM31922)
• Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Welding) (MEM31922)
• Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/welding) (MEM31922)

Salary Expectations

Median salary is $91,300.

This wage reflects full qualification and typical experience in the field and excludes apprentice rates. 

Source: : 2023 ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (Jobs and Skills Australia website), annualised weekly earnings for Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers.