3223 Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers

Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers cut, shape, join and repair components of iron, steel and other metal structures, boilers, pressure vessels and pipes, ships and other vessels.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

    At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

    Tasks Include:

    • 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

    Occupations:

    • 322311 Metal Fabricator
    • 322312 Pressure Welder
    • 322313 Welder (First Class) (Aus) / Welder (NZ)

    322311 Metal Fabricator

    Marks off and fabricates structural steel and other metal stock to make or repair metal products and structures such as boilers and pressure vessels.

    Sheetmetal Fabricators are excluded from this occupation. Sheetmetal Fabricators are included in Unit Group 3222 Sheetmetal Workers, in Occupation 322211 Sheetmetal Worker.

    Skill Level: 3

    Specialisation:

    • Boilermaker-Welder

    322312 Pressure Welder

    Assembles, welds and repairs pressure vessels and pipes to relevant standards.

    Skill Level: 3

    322313 Welder (First Class) (Aus) / Welder (NZ)

    Fabricates and repairs metal products using various welding techniques.

    Skill Level: 3

    Specialisation:

    • Special Class Welder