How to become a Plastics Fabricator or Welder

Operates machines to measure, cut, shape, fit and assemble plastics materials to produce plastic products.

Main tasks

• Reads blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine product requirements
• Sets up and operates machines to measure, cut, shape, fit and assemble plastics materials
• Cuts, trims and shapes plastics materials using hand tools
• Fastens seams or joints together with welds or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair plastic items
• Carries out butt and electrofusion welding of polyethylene plastic pipe works and components
• Carries out routine quality checks on products, such as dimensional checks, clarity of colour, and impact resistance
• Finishes off plastic parts, including sanding and polishing

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Polymer Processing (PMB30121); Diploma of Polymer Technology (PMB50121); Certificate III in Engineering - Composites Trade (MEM31119); Certificate III in Process Manufacturing (MSM30116); Certificate IV in Manufacturing Technology (MSA40108); Certificate II in Polymer Processing (PMB20121); Certificate I in Manufacturing (Pathways) (MSM10216); Certificate I in Process Manufacturing (MSM10116)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $88,816 a year
• About 7,300 people work in this job group now, and about 7,700 are projected by 2035. (+5.1%)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker
• Plastics Production Machine Operator
• Rubber Production Machine Operator

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Plastics Fabricator or Welder?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Polymer Processing; Diploma of Polymer Technology.

How much does a Plastics Fabricator or Welder earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $88,816 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Plastics Fabricator or Welder a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 7,300 to about 7,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Plastics Fabricator or Welder?

Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Polymer Processing; Diploma of Polymer Technology.

Will AI change the work of a Plastics Fabricator or 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