Metal Fabricators mark off and fabricate structural steel and other metal stock to make or repair metal products and structures such as boilers and pressure vessels.

Skill Level

3

Specialisations

• Boilermaker-Welder
• Brass Finisher
• Metal Fabricator-Welder
• Metal Template Maker
• Structural Steel Trades Worker

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Metal Fabricator is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Must have successfully completed an AQF Qualification either a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade or formal training that is comparable
• Must possess skills that are current to Australian industry standards demonstrated by 12 months full time employment or equivalent part-time in the occupation in the previous three years
• If you have obtained a qualification internationally or an Australian qualification that was not through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full time or equivalent post-qualification experience
• If you have obtained an Australian qualification issued through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full-time or equivalent post-qualification experience OR 6 years full-time or equivalent experience which can be either pre- or post-qualification

Cut, shape, join and repair metal components of iron and steel structures, boilers, pressure vessels and pipes, ships and other vessels.

Tasks

• 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

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)

In New Zealand:
NZ Register Level 4 qualification (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.

Occupations in this Group

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