How to become a Fitter-Welder
Fits, assembles and welds metal parts and subassemblies to fabricate production machines and other equipment.
Main tasks
- Interprets engineering drawings and specifications
- Measures metal components for cutting, shaping and welding
- Fits and assembles metal parts according to engineering specifications
- Cuts and shapes metal components using hand and power tools
- Welds metal components using various welding techniques
- Cleans welds by filing, chiselling and grinding
- Inspects and tests welded components for quality and compliance with specifications
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (MEM30219); Certificate III in Manufacturing Technology (MSA30208); Certificate I in Engineering (MEM10119)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $135,512 a year
- About 123,000 people work in this job group now, and about 131,800 are projected by 2035. (+7.2%)
- 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 Fitter-Welder?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade; Certificate III in Manufacturing Technology.
How much does a Fitter-Welder earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $135,512 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Fitter-Welder a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 123,000 to about 131,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Fitter-Welder?
Usually not. Only 2% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade; Certificate III in Manufacturing Technology.
Will AI change the work of a Fitter-Welder?
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