Welder (First Class) Skills Assessment for Australian Visa
ANZSCO 322313
Welders (First Class) are in strong demand across Australia’s construction, manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure sectors, making this a highly viable pathway for skilled migration.
In-demand occupation in Australia
Annual Average Salary
$75,000 – $85,000
Pathways to Permanent Residency
Modern work environment & lifestyle
About the Occupation
Welders are responsible for interpreting drawings, specifications, and welding procedures to determine job requirements. The role covers the full range of advanced welding tasks, including assembling components, performing high-precision welds, and inspecting and repairing metal structures to meet quality and safety standards.
Specialisation in Australia
- Special Class Welder
Core Responsibilities:
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
Why Australia Welcomes
Welder (First Class)?
Australia’s construction, manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure industries continue to rely heavily on experienced First Class Welders. With this occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), qualified applicants have access to a broad range of skilled-migration visa options.
As Welder (First Class) is included in the MLTSSL, you have access to multiple visa pathways such as Work Visa (Subclass 482), Temporary/Permanent Skilled Visa (Subclass 491/190/189) or an Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 186/494).
Next? Determine Your Pathway
Select the right assessment pathway based on your qualifications and work experience. Whether you hold formal trade certifications or have extensive hands-on experience, choosing the correct pathway ensures a smooth and successful skills assessment process for migration.
Pathway 1
Who is it for?
Applicants without an Australian VET qualification.
Outcome you can expect
Receive an Australian VET qualification upon successful assessment, along with an official outcome letter recognised for migration purposes.
Pathway 2
Who is it for?
Applicants with an Australian VET qualification OR current Australian licence.
Outcome you can expect
Assessment based on your existing qualifications. Receive an official outcome letter recognised for migration purposes.
Then, Choose Your Program
AQATO facilitates the Skills Assessment in partnership with Australian Trade Training College (TRA-approved RTO) for two programs, OSAP and TSS. These programs provide a pathway for skilled workers to obtain recognition for their existing skills or gain an Australian VET qualification.
To be eligible, applicants must work in a nominated occupation and hold a passport from a nominated country or Special Administrative Region (SAR).
OSAP (Offshore Skills Assessment Program)
Who can apply?
Migrants applying for skilled migration visas (excluding 485 & TSS)
Purpose
For permanent migration visas
TSS (Temporary Skills Shortage)
Check TSS Nominated Occupations, Countries and SARs →Who can apply?
Applicants applying for a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
Purpose
For temporary skilled work
Step by Step Application Process
The Welder (First Class) Skills Assessment process with Australian Qualifications & Training Overseas (AQATO) - Australian Trade Training College (ATTC) has 3 stages, ensuring your skills and experience are thoroughly evaluated against Australian industry standards.
Stage 01
Pre-Assessment
Stage 01
Pre-Assessment
The Pre-Assessment stage is designed to verify that applicants meet the eligibility and currency requirements for their nominated trade, program, and pathway prior to making any financial commitment at the Documentary Evidence stage.
TRA Fees
Australian Trade Training College (ATTC) offers this Free of Cost
Stage 02
Documentary Evidence
Stage 02
Documentary Evidence
Stage 03
Technical Interview
Stage 03
Technical Interview
Processing Times for Welder (First Class) Skills Assessment
Application
Submitted
80%
in 6 weeks
95%
in 8 weeks
Current standard processing timeframe for a decision ready application is 6–8 weeks*.
*An application may take longer to process if additional information or documents are required.
Please note: Australian Qualifications & Training Overseas (AQATO) & Australian Trade Training College (ATTC) do not charge any assessment fees. All applicable fees are payable directly to Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). For detailed and updated information on current fees, please refer to the official TRA Website ↗
On successful completion of all four stages, Pathway 1 Plumber & Electrician applicants will obtain an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR), which allows them to apply for a Provisional License, subject to meeting other non-skills requirements.
Already Submitted Your Skills Assessment Application?
Build your confidence and demonstrate your expertise with practice materials that mirror real assessment scenarios. Prepare thoroughly and showcase your high-level welding techniques and fabrication abilities with specialised study resources tailored for your Welder (First Class) skills assessment interview.
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