Not Enough Qualified Welders in Australia: A Practical Look for Fabricators and Boilermakers Abroad

News · 2026-09-30 · 5 min read

Australia has big plans. It wants to build new infrastructure, defence projects and renewable energy projects. But it may not have enough skilled workers to build them. For tradespeople from overseas, and especially for welders and fabricators, this gap could become a real opportunity. If you dream of welding work in Australia from Indonesia, here is what a new industry survey tells us.

Plenty of Workshops, Too Few Skilled Welders

The survey is Weld Australia's 2026 Industry and Workforce Outlook Survey. It shows the industry is being pushed from two sides at the same time. Many businesses are not sure where their next project will come from. Yet 89.2 per cent of people who answered said Australia does not have enough qualified welders for the coming infrastructure and defence work.

This may seem strange. But the survey shows a mismatch, not a lack of demand. Six in ten businesses had three months or less of confirmed work. One in five had no confirmed work coming at all. Almost 60 per cent of fabrication workshops were working at under 75 per cent capacity. Businesses said the reasons were both too little work and too few skilled staff.

Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden said local businesses have the ability to do the work. What they lack is access to the work. That is why the industry wants stronger local content rules when governments buy goods and services, so more projects go to Australian fabricators.

The Industry's Requests to Government

Weld Australia wants federal and state governments to take these steps:

Make local content rules stronger in public projects.
Check fabricated steel independently, no matter where it was made.
Support the proposed Australian Fabrication Authority.
Help small and medium-sized businesses start using advanced manufacturing technology.
When giving out contracts, look at the value over the whole life of a project, not only the lowest price at the start.

Meeting standards is a big issue. About 71.4 per cent of people surveyed said imported fabricated products fail to meet Australian standards at least some of the time. And 53.6 per cent said this happens often or very often.

Rising Costs, but Still Investing in People

Money is tight in the sector. Energy prices went up for 82.1 per cent of businesses, and material costs went up for 78.5 per cent. But only 28.5 per cent raised their own prices. Nearly 40 per cent saw their gross profit margins drop.

Even so, half of the businesses spent more on technology. Also, 42.8 per cent spent more on staff training, and 39.2 per cent spent more on research and development. Employers who invest in their workers and equipment are usually good employers to work for.

Four Lessons for Overseas Welders

Are you a qualified welder, boilermaker or fabricator living outside Australia? Here is a simple way to understand the survey:

The need is long-term. Defence, infrastructure and renewable energy projects take years to finish. The survey suggests that qualified people are the main thing holding them back.
Standards are very important. The industry cares a lot about meeting Australian welding and fabrication standards. So employers value workers who know these standards and can prove it. Certificates and records of your experience will help you.
Training is part of the system. The industry wants more apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs, TAFE pathways and training led by industry. Migrants who already have strong skills may fit into this system. Some may find extra training useful for a skills assessment or licensing.
The trade is still earning respect. About 79.5 per cent of people surveyed felt welding does not get the respect it deserves. The sector is working to raise the image of the trade, and over time this could lead to better pay and conditions.

Check the Visa Facts First

Skilled visa rules and occupation lists change often. A shortage in one industry does not guarantee that you can get a visa. Check the current Skills in Demand visa settings, the occupation lists and the skills assessment rules for your trade on the Department of Home Affairs website. You can also talk to a registered migration agent about your own situation.

Key Points for Indonesian Tradespeople

Australia's fabrication industry has spare capacity. What it lacks is enough qualified people and enough secured projects to use that capacity fully. If local content rules get stronger and more projects come through, the need for skilled tradespeople who meet the standards could grow. For welders and fabricators thinking about Australia, this sector is worth watching.

While you watch, get ready. Put together an English-language CV that lists your welding processes, certificates and years of experience. If your visa or employer asks for an English test, prepare for IELTS or PTE. Get your Indonesian-language certificates translated into English as the visa rules require. Good preparation will help you when the right jobs in Australia for Indonesians and other skilled workers appear.

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