ANZSCO 322313
Welder (First Class) (Aus) / Welder (NZ)
General information, not immigration advice. Data as at 2026-10-22.
About this occupation
ANZSCO 2022Fabricates and repairs metal products using various welding techniques.
Specialisations
- Special Class Welder
Unit group 3223
Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers cut, shape, join and repair components of iron, steel and other metal structures, boilers, pressure vessels and pipes, ships and other vessels.
Indicative 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
- NZQF 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.
Tasks include
- 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
Show all 9 tasks
- 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
Occupations in this unit group
- 322311 Metal Fabricator
- 322312 Pressure Welder
- 322313 Welder (First Class) (Aus) / Welder (NZ)This occupation
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022. CC BY 4.0.
ANZSCO 2022 (the edition the CSOL uses for the 482 and 186 visas)
Title in this edition: Welder (First Class) (Aus) / Welder (NZ), skill level 3
- Major group
- 3 Technicians and Trades Workers
- Sub-major group
- 32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
- Minor group
- 322 Fabrication Engineering Trades Workers
- Unit group
- 3223 Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 (the edition the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL use)
Title in this edition: Welder (First Class) (Aus) \ Welder (NZ), skill level 3
- Major group
- 3 TECHNICIANS AND TRADES WORKERS
- Sub-major group
- 32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
- Minor group
- 322 Fabrication Engineering Trades Workers
- Unit group
- 3223 Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
- Specialisations
- Special Class Welder
Occupation Shortage List (2026)
- National rating
- Shortage
- Confidence
- Clear
- Rated on
- ANZSCO 2022
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA, released 21 October 2026. CC BY 4.0.
Possible visa options
Visas that Welder (First Class) (Aus) / Welder (NZ) may be eligible for through its skilled list placement. Being on a list is one requirement; each visa has others (points, age, English, nomination or sponsorship).
| Visa | Stay | MLTSSL | STSOL | ROL | CSOL | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested | Permanent | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 1 |
| Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) | — | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 2 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored | — | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 1 |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Permanent | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 3 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated | — | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 4 |
| Training visa (subclass 407) | Temporary (Up to 2 years) | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/050, s 6 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream | Temporary (5 years) | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/219, s 5(1) |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream | Temporary (Up to 4 years) | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/089, s 6(3) |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway | Permanent | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/093, s 7(1) |
✓ the occupation is on a list this visa uses · ✗ this visa uses the list but the occupation is not on it · — the visa does not use this list. Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, visa pages, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Average salary, May 2025
Unit group 3223 Structural steel and welding trades workers (ANZSCO 2022). all employees, Average weekly total cash earnings.
| Average weekly earnings | Average age | |
|---|---|---|
| All employees | $1,815.80 | 38.7 |
| Males | $1,844.70 | 39.6 |
| Females | $1,323.20 (estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use) | 23.5 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025: data cube 63060DO011_202505 (Table 1), released 23 January 2026. CC BY 4.0.
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Scan to get the appSource: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO (CC BY 4.0). Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list (CC BY 4.0). Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, SkillSelect invitation rounds, CC BY 3.0 AU. Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Search another occupation