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Study Engineering – Fabrication Trade

Career Outcomes

Engineering Patternmaker (323411): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Metal Fabricator (322311): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Pressure Welder (322312): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Sheetmetal Trades Worker(322211): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Welder (First Class) (322313): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Industry Overview

Manufacturing is any process that changes materials, substances or components into new products, and is a vital part of the Australian economy. It is Australia’s seventh largest industry for employment and sixth largest for output. It employs close to one million people across 47,530 employing companies. Businesses manufacturing fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment are the highest employing businesses in the industry. Australian manufacturers have reported that the most important factors when recruiting are teamwork and problem-solving skills. (Source: Ai Group)

Insights

Average weekly earnings:  $1,550 per week

Mode of work: Most work full-time (92%)

Hours per week: full-time workers spend around 46 hours/ week at work.

Age: the average age is 38 -41 years..

Gender: 1% workers are female

(Source: Job Outlook, historical figures)

Qualification Needed

Workers usually need a certificate III in engineering – fabrication trade.

Course Overview

Studies in engineering fabrication will teach you how to perform engineering measurements, weld and cut metal, apply fabrication, forming and shaping techniques and assemble fabricated components.

Course Requirements

Most institutions require completion of Australian Year 11 or 12 (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score less than 5.

Costs

A 2-year packaged manufacturing trade course costs between $17,000 and $19,000 per year, depending on the institution.

Studying Engineering (Fabrication Trade) in Australia: What the Course Covers

Engineering fabrication trade courses train you to cut, shape, weld and assemble metal to make structures, pressure vessels, machinery components, sheet metal products and architectural metalwork. You learn to read engineering drawings and set out jobs, take measurements, use oxy fuel and plasma cutting, perform MIG, TIG and manual arc welding, bend and roll plate and sheet metal, assemble fabricated components, inspect welds, and work safely with heat, fumes and heavy materials. Training is practical in a fabrication workshop.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate II in Engineering Pathways AQF 2 Entry level workshop roles and a pathway into a trade
Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade) AQF 3 Metal fabricator, welder, sheetmetal worker and boilermaker roles; the core trade qualification
Certificate IV in Engineering AQF 4 Advanced welding, supervision and inspection roles

Study Pathways

International students usually complete the Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade), often followed by a Certificate IV in Engineering. Specialising in welding, heavy fabrication or sheet metal helps match your qualification to the occupation you plan to have assessed. Welding certifications to Australian standards can also improve job prospects.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Metal Fabricator 322311 Yes MLTSSL
Pressure Welder 322312 Yes MLTSSL
Welder (First Class) 322313 Yes MLTSSL
Sheetmetal Worker 322211 Yes MLTSSL
Engineering Patternmaker 323411 Yes Not listed

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for fabricators and welders.

Career Outlook

Fabricators and welders work in construction and infrastructure, mining and resources, defence shipbuilding, manufacturing, agriculture and transport equipment. Large infrastructure, energy and defence projects support demand, and regional and mining areas often have shortages of qualified welders and boilermakers.

What You Do in a Fabrication Course

Fabrication training is hands on in a workshop with welding bays, cutting equipment and plate rolls. Typical units include:

  • Welding processes: manual metal arc (stick), MIG, TIG and flux cored welding in different positions.
  • Cutting: oxy fuel, plasma and mechanical cutting of plate and sections.
  • Forming: bending, rolling and folding plate and sheet metal.
  • Set out and drawings: reading fabrication drawings and developing patterns for cones, transitions and pipe intersections.
  • Assembly and inspection: assembling fabricated structures, checking welds and controlling distortion.
  • Safety: welding fumes, burns, hot work permits, confined spaces and manual handling.

Working as a Fabricator or Welder

Fabricators and boilermakers work in structural steel workshops, on construction and mining sites, in shipbuilding and in agricultural and transport equipment manufacturing. Pressure welders work on pipelines, boilers and pressure vessels, where welds are tested and certified. Employers value welders who can read drawings, work to tight tolerances and hold current welding qualifications.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Engineering Fabrication

Describe any welding, metalwork or fabrication experience you have and the type of work you want, such as structural steel, sheet metal or pressure welding. See our Student visa (subclass 500) page for the current English, financial and work rules.

Engineering (Fabrication Trade) Study FAQs

Yes. As at October 2026, Metal Fabricator (322311), Pressure Welder (322312), Welder (First Class) (322313) and Sheetmetal Trades Worker (322211) are on both the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the MLTSSL. Engineering Patternmaker is on the CSOL.

It can. The fabrication occupations are on the MLTSSL, so this Certificate III can support the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream (generally 18 months) if you hold a TRA skills assessment for the occupation that matches your specialisation, usually starting with a Provisional Skills Assessment, and meet the age and English rules.

Many employers ask welders to pass welding qualification tests to Australian standards for the processes and positions they will use, especially for structural steel and pressure work. These tests are separate from your Certificate III. Your course will prepare you, and employers often arrange testing for specific jobs.

In Australia, boilermaker is a common job title for a metal fabricator who works with heavy plate and structural steel. For migration purposes these roles generally fall under Metal Fabricator (322311).

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