ANZSCO code
322313 Welder (First Class)
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06 (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Welder and Fabricator in Australia
To hire a welder or fabricator, specify the processes, positions and standards the work needs, plan a practical weld test and confirm the site tickets and award. CrossNation recruits welders and fabricators for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Common entry qualification
Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
Source: training.gov.au: National register of VET qualifications (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Licence
No national licence; overseas trade skills assessed by Trades Recognition Australia
Source: Trades Recognition Australia (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Modern award
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award [MA000010]
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
How should you specify the welding you need?
Welding covers many processes, materials and positions, so name them. List MIG, TIG, stick or flux-cored, the materials such as mild steel, stainless or aluminium, the thicknesses, the welding positions and the standards you work to, for example structural steel or pressure equipment. State whether the role is workshop production, site erection, maintenance or shutdown work, and whether the person also marks out, cuts and fits. Candidates and recruiters search by these terms, and a precise list makes the practical test easier to design.
What does a fair weld test look like?
Many employers run a practical test. Make it relevant: the process, material and position the job needs, with the drawing and consumables provided and clear acceptance criteria. Tell the candidate in advance what to bring and how it will be assessed, pay for the time where the test is extended, and record the outcome. Ask to see existing weld certificates and test records. Unpaid trials have limits under workplace law, so read the Fair Work Ombudsman's guidance before you ask anyone to work unpaid.
Which award and site tickets apply?
Welders and fabricators in metal workshops are generally covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award [MA000010], and those on construction or mining sites by another award or an enterprise agreement, because coverage follows the employer's industry. Site work can require a white card, working at heights, confined space and elevated work platform tickets, plus a medical. We do not publish pay figures here. Decide the classification from the qualification and duties, and cost the role using the Fair Work Pay Calculator.
How do you make a welding start smooth?
Give the new starter the procedures and drawings for the first jobs and confirm the process, consumables and inspection points. Explain fume extraction, hot work permits, PPE and the lifting arrangements in the workshop. Agree how quality is checked, who signs off welds and how non-conformances are recorded. Pair the person with an experienced colleague for the first weeks, and review early work against your standard. A clear path to higher-grade work or certifications keeps skilled welders interested in staying.
Before you brief a recruiter: welder and fabricator checklist
Checklist
- List the processes, materials, positions and standards needed
- Design a relevant weld test and tell the candidate in advance
- Ask to see weld certificates and test records
- List site tickets and medical requirements
- Confirm the award or agreement and classification
- Pay for any extended test as work
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a welder need a licence?
There is no national welder licence. Employers set the standard, and some work needs qualified welders under the relevant standard.
Should every welder be a qualified boilermaker?
Not for every role. Production welding may accept experience and a test, while structural and fabrication roles more often require a trade qualification.
How long should a weld test last?
Keep it to what you need to see the skill. If a test runs beyond a short assessment, pay the candidate for the time.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a welder and fabricator?
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits welders and fabricators for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas welder and fabricator through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. A trades skills assessment and site tickets are separate from any visa, and the employer remains responsible for safety induction. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
What should I verify before I offer a welder and fabricator the job?
Welders do not hold a national licence. Employers look for a Certificate III fabrication trade qualification and often run a practical weld test. For a welder and fabricator, the award that commonly applies is the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award (MA000010), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your welder and fabricator, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.