Welder (First Class)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$94,400
Full-time annual
People employed
19,900
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Fabricates and repairs metal products using various welding techniques.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Interprets engineering drawings and specifications to determine welding requirements
- Applies appropriate welding techniques to join metal sections
- Monitors and adjusts welding parameters to ensure quality and integrity of welds
- Cleans welds by filing, chiselling and grinding
- Inspects and tests welded joints for defects and compliance with specifications
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
13%
Female rate
1%
Median age
42
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+3%
2,265 projected jobs
to 2035
+7%
5,772 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate I in Engineering
Pre-vocational
Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
Pre-vocational
Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Engineering
Specialised training
Diploma of Engineering - Advanced Trade
Specialised training
Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
395
ACT · May 2026
4
VIC · May 2026
214
NT · May 2026
13
SA · May 2026
119
NSW · May 2026
264
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Welder (First Class).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - South West
4,386 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - South West
4,386 employed
WA
+11.12%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South East
4,231 employed
WA
+7.58%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
2,384 employed
VIC
-1.16%
year on year
- 4
Perth - North West
2,364 employed
WA
+27.37%
year on year
- 5
Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
2,099 employed
QLD
+16.61%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
21,920
Moved in from another occupation
2,330
Moved to another occupation
2,225
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 331133
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.