Welder JRP: Welding Types TRA Recognises and Assessment Preparation

Welders and the JRP: the context you need

A welder (Welder — First Class, ANZSCO 322313Verified 11/06/2026 · Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)) is assessed by TRA through the Job Ready Program (JRP). Code 322313 is the highest welding-level code in the ANZSCO system — “First Class” denotes a high level of technical skill, not a management rank.

A distinctive feature of welding within the JRP: TRA assesses practical welding skills in very specific terms against standard welding procedures. Welding experience gained overseas is often well recognised if you have worked with the welding procedures common in Australia — but you need to demonstrate your skills to the correct standard.

See the overview of the migration pathway in: Welder migration to Australia.

The welding procedures TRA assesses

TRA assesses against the scope of the Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade) — Welder stream. The main welding procedures Australia recognises and that are needed in the JRP:

MIG/MAG Welding (GMAW — Gas Metal Arc Welding): MIG/MAG welding is the most common procedure in Australian industry (construction, fabrication, repair). Welders frequently have strong experience with this procedure.

TIG Welding (GTAW — Gas Tungsten Arc Welding): TIG welding is used for thin metals, stainless steel, aluminium and applications requiring high-quality, clean welds. The oil and gas, food and chemical industries often use TIG. This is a highly valued skill in the JRP.

Stick/SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding / Manual Metal Arc): Stick welding — common on construction sites, in heavy engineering and in outdoor working conditions. Many welders have experience with this procedure.

Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW): Common in bridge construction, structural steel and offshore work. If you have FCAW experience, it is an advantage.

Plasma cutting and oxy-acetylene: Metal-cutting skills are usually counted as supporting skills for a welder.

Welding different steels — which materials are recognised?

TRA assesses welding skill against both procedure and material:

Carbon steel: the foundation; most welders have experience with it
Stainless steel: requires higher-level technique, often used in food/pharmaceuticals
Aluminium: harder, requiring its own experience
High-strength steel: bridge structures, offshore

In your application, list clearly which materials and procedures you have welded — this helps TRA assess the scope of your skills.

Welding positions matter

Beyond procedure and material, TRA also considers welding positions against international standards:

1G/1F (flat): flat welding — the easiest
2G/2F (horizontal): horizontal welding
3G/3F (vertical): vertical welding — requires higher-level technique
4G/4F (overhead): overhead welding — the hardest and highly valued

Welders who can weld in multiple positions, particularly 3G and 4G, generally have a stronger JRP application.

Australian welding standards

In the JRP, you will encounter Australian welding standards:

AS/NZS 2980: Quality of welding of steel structures — the weld quality control standard
AS/NZS 2717: Welding — Electrodes — the electrode standard
AS 1665: Welding of aluminium structures

Overseas you may have worked to local or international standards (AWS, ISO). During gap training and work placement, you will learn how to apply Australian standards — this is not difficult if you are already familiar with a standards system.

Preparing Stage 1 documents from overseas

Documents to prove qualifications:

A graduation certificate from a technical/industrial school related to welding or fabrication
Welding certificates (if any): AWS, ISO, ASME
All require NAATI translation

Documents to prove experience:

A confirmation letter from your employer: stating clearly the duration, specific role, welding procedures used, materials welded and welding positions
Photos or project documentation (if you can provide them without breaching confidentiality)
A project list: type of structure, welding procedure, scale

International welding certificates: If you already hold an international welding certificate (AWS Certified Welder, ISO 9606, ASME IX), this is a significant advantage in your JRP Stage 1 application. TRA may recognise it in part or in full, reducing the gap-training requirement.

Gap training specific to welders

Common gap-training areas:

Australian welding standards (AS/NZS 2980, 2717): how to read and apply them in practice
Basic welding metallurgy: why materials deform or crack, and how to avoid it
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the Australian welding environment: fume, UV, PPE
White Card: mandatory for every Australian work site

Welder Qualification Test: In some cases, the RTO may require you to perform a welder qualification test — welding a sample to a specific procedure and having it checked by NDT (non-destructive testing) or visual inspection. This is a way to demonstrate practical skill in place of missing qualifications.

Work placement

Work placement for welders is usually at:

Structural steel fabrication workshops
Industrial repair and maintenance companies
Shipyards (if you have related experience)
Offshore/mining fabrication companies (higher pay but more competitive)
Equipment and machinery manufacturing plants

Australia’s construction and fabrication industries have high demand for welders — finding an employer for the JRP is often easier than for some other occupations if your skills are clear.

After the JRP: sitting for welder qualifications

Unlike electricians and plumbers (who need a state licence to practise), Australian welders do not need a general “licence” to work — but many employers and large projects (oil and gas, bridge construction, offshore) require welder qualification tests to specific standards (AS/NZS 2980, ASME IX, etc.).

After obtaining your TRA assessment, this is the next step to improve your employability and earn higher pay.