How to become a Blacksmith
Shapes bars, rods and blocks of metal by heating and hammering to produce or repair metal articles.
Main tasks
- Collaborates with clients to understand their specific metalworking needs
- Heats metal blocks, bars and rods in a forge, then shapes the metal using hammers, anvils and other tools
- Welds or joins metal pieces together
- Trims, cuts and files metal to remove excess material
- Repairs damaged metal articles by heating and reshaping them
- Inspects finished products for quality and accuracy
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (MEM31922); Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems (MEM30119); Certificate III in Engineering - Toolmaking Trade (MEM31519); Certificate I in Engineering (MEM10119)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- About 2,300 people work in this job group now, and about 2,400 are projected by 2035. (+4.8%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Blacksmith?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade; Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems; Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade.
Is a Blacksmith a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 2,300 to about 2,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Blacksmith?
Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade; Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems; Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade.
Will AI change the work of a Blacksmith?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04