Engineering Fabrication
Metal Fabricator, Fitter and Turner and Welder are all currently on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
In Australia, engineering fabricators may be even more in demand than engineers themselves. Structural steel and welding trades workers cut, shape, join and repair metal components of iron and steel structures, boilers, pressure vessels and pipes, ships and other vessels.
The Certificate III and IV in Engineering Fabrication and Trade prepares student to perform a wide range of tasks in the construction and manufacturing industry. Graduates will be skilled in many aspects of engineering fabrication and trade including:
- Studying blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine job requirements.
- Selecting, cleaning and preparing metal stock.
- Cutting marked-out metal sections and shapes using hand tools, flame cutting torches and metal cutting machines.
- Shaping and bending metal sections and pipes using hand and machine tools, and by heating and hammering.
- Aligning parts to be joined using hand tools and measuring instruments.
- Joining metal sections using various welding techniques, bolting and riveting.
- Examining welds for width of bead, penetration and precision.
- Finishing products by cleaning, polishing, filing and bathing in acidic solutions.
- Cleaning and smoothing welds by filing, chiselling and grinding.
1. Students need to be at least 18 years old.
2. Academic requirement: Completion of Australian Year 10 OR overseas equivalent.
3. Present English language proficiency evidence
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- IELTS, PTE, etc. (IELTS: 6.0 overall – no band less than 5.5; OR equivalent). The test result must be valid within 2 years at the time of the visa application.
- Some Education Institutions offer an in-house English Placement Test that you can take to meet the English entry requirements.
- Exemptions apply if:
– you are a citizen and hold a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland
– you are enrolled in a principal course of study that is a registered school course, a standalone English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), a course registered to be delivered in a language other than English, or a registered post-graduate research course
– you have completed at least 5 years of study in English in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland.
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Graduate Outcome
- On average, full time fabricators earn around $1,600 per week.
- They can work independently or be part of a larger building or manufacturing company.
- 92% of structural steel and welding trades are employed in a full-time role
Potential Career Pathways:
- Fitter and Turner
- Metal Fabricator
- Welder
Higher Education Opportunities
- Bachelor of Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Electrical and Aerospace Engineering
Price (per year)
Duration
Location
Intake
Temporary Graduate Visa
If undertaking study in this course in Australia for a minimum of 2 years you may qualify for the Temporary Gradaute Visa. This visa allows the holder 1.5 years unlimited work rights in Australia. Many graduates use this time to build up experience in their field or find an employer that is willing to sponsor their visa.
If you have applied for the Temporary Graduate Visa you may also be eligible to apply for the Job Ready Program. The Job Ready Program is run through TRA and allows graduates in certain disciplines to have their skills assessed for skilled migration purposes. It is a way for people to have their skills assessed without having the experience. Once the student receives a positive skills assessment they may be eligible to apply for permanent work visas such as State Sponsored and General Skilled Migration Visas.
Note: It is never recommended to engage in studies for the sole purpose of trying to gain a visa to Australia. Speak to us and we can find a course that matches your long-term career goals.
Graduate Visa
The Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows recent university graduates and certain vocational graduates the chance to remain in Australia and work after their studies have finished.
Education Pathways
Metal Fabricator (322311) Fitter and Turner (323212) and Welder (322313) are currently on the Skilled Occupations List.
The skills assessment for Metal Fabricators, Fitter and Turners and Welders are delivered through – Trade Recognition Australia (TRA).
The qualification required to obtain a positive skills assessment as an automotive mechanic is the Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade.
If you undertake this course and participate in the job ready program you may even be able to do this without being sponsored by an employer and you may not need to live in a regional area.
Note: It is never recommended to engage in studies for the sole purpose of trying to gain a visa to Australia. Speak to us and we can find a course that matches your long-term career goals.
Step 1: Study a course or package of courses
Study a course or package of courses that goes for at least 2 years and includes the Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade.
Step 2: Receive the Temporary Graduate Visa
By studying for 2 years and undertaking a 360 hours vocational placement during your studies (most education providers will arrange this for you), you may be eligible to apply for and receive the Temporary Graduate Visa. The graduate visa is a work visa that allows the visa holder to live and work in Australia for up to 18 months. For more information on the Graduate Visa, click here.
Step 3: Participate in the Job Ready Program
The main benefit of the JRP is that on completion you will be provided with a positive skills assessment for general migration purposes. On this program, you must work for at least 12 months as a qualified Metal Fabricator, Fitter and Turner or Welder.
Your employer will not need to sponsor your visa, as you will already be on the graduate visa. This will mean that you have a much higher chance of finding employment as it is very easy for the employer to hire you. You may find this video on the Job Ready Program helpful.
Step 4: Apply for a General Skilled Migration Visas
Once you have completed the Job Ready Program as a Metal Fabricator, Fitter and Turner or Welder you will receive a positive skills assessment. Once you have the positive skills assessment you may be able to apply for general skilled migration visas. If eligible, the general skilled migration visas (Skilled Independent Subclass 189, State Nominated Subclass 190 or Regional Nominated Subclass 491) do not require you to have an employer that is willing to sponsor your visa. Please note that you will still be required to pass the points test and health checks to apply for this visa.
Why Use Pathway to Aus?
Pathway to Aus has assisted thousands of students to study or migrate to Australia. We are here to support you throughout your journey and make the transition as easy and smooth as possible. Our experienced team of Education and Migration agents are ready to work with you to help you achieve your education and migration goals.
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Interviews with Our Students
Feel free to check these interviews with some of our students.
Chris
South Africa
Cert III in Bricklaying
After Chris traveled to Australia on a vacation, he fell in love with the country and decided to pursue his dream to become a bricklayer in Australia.William
Sweden
Civil Engineering
William is studying Associate Degree of Civil Engineering at TAFE QLD in Brisbane. He's building up his work experience and will apply for a permanent visa to Australia.Denise
Germany
Civil Engineering
Denise came to Australia several times when she was younger and fell in love with the country. She decided to apply for a student visa and started her course at the Southbank campus of TAFE Queensland.Raphael
France
Certificate III in Joinery
In late 2017 he decided to study joinery in Australia. He has now finished his course and has just had his temporary graduate work visa approved (subclass 485).Louis
India
Automotive
After finishing high school, Louis decided to Automotive Mechanical at a college on The Gold Coast. After completing this course he obtained the Temporary Graduate Work Visa.Frequently Asked Questions
In case you don't find an answer to your question, feel free to consult with one of our agents.
Schedule a ConsultationInternational students can’t do a Engineering Fabrication apprenticeship in Australia. Instead, they can study a 24-month vocational course to become a qualified Metal Fabricator, Fitter and Turner and Welder. Click here to read more about apprenticeships and vocational courses for international students
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In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
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