How to become a Welder

Official title: Welder (First Class)

Fabricates and repairs metal products using various welding techniques.

Main tasks

• Interprets engineering drawings and specifications to determine welding requirements
• Applies appropriate welding techniques to join metal sections
• Monitors and adjusts welding parameters to ensure quality and integrity of welds
• Cleans welds by filing, chiselling and grinding
• Inspects and tests welded joints for defects and compliance with specifications

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Engineering (MEM40119); Diploma of Engineering - Advanced Trade (MEM50119); Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping (MEM50622); Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (MEM31922); Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20422); Certificate I in Engineering (MEM10119)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $87,776 a year
• About 77,200 people work in this job group now, and about 83,000 are projected by 2035. (+7.5%)
• 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

• Metal Fabricator
• Pressure Welder
• Blacksmith
• Electroplater
• Farrier
• Metal Casting Trades Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Welder?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Engineering; Diploma of Engineering - Advanced Trade.

How much does a Welder earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $87,776 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Welder a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 77,200 to about 83,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Welder?

Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Engineering; Diploma of Engineering - Advanced Trade.

Will AI change the work of a 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