{"id":157,"date":"2026-04-20T11:05:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T11:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/?page_id=157"},"modified":"2026-05-04T14:51:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:51:19","slug":"certificate-iii-in-engineering-fabrication-trade","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/certificate-iii-in-engineering-fabrication-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade)<\/strong> is the industry-standard qualification for becoming a qualified Boilermaker<\/strong>, Welder<\/strong>, or Sheet Metal Worker<\/strong> in Australia. This trade-level qualification focuses on the skills required to cut, shape, join, and finish metal components for everything from massive mining equipment and structural skyscrapers to intricate stainless steel kitchenware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, with Australia\u2019s continued push into renewable energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, qualified fabrication tradespeople remain in the “High Demand” category on national skills lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Trade Specialisations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The “Fabrication Trade” is a broad umbrella. Depending on your elective choices and the nature of your apprenticeship, you will typically specialize in one of these streams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Boilermaking \/ Structural Steel:<\/strong> Heavy-gauge fabrication involving the assembly of large steel structures, pressure vessels, and bridges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Welding (First Class):<\/strong> Mastering advanced welding processes (TIG, MIG, MMAW) to high industry standards and codes (e.g., AS1554 or AS1796).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sheet Metal Working:<\/strong> Precision work with light-gauge metals (stainless steel, aluminum) for ducting, medical equipment, or high-end architectural finishes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Blacksmithing:<\/strong> Using traditional heating and forging techniques for custom architectural or industrial tools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Core Competencies & Points System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To achieve the MEM30319, you must complete units totaling 96 points<\/strong> (33 core points and 63 elective points). Unlike other certificates, Engineering uses a weighted point system rather than just a unit count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Interpret Technical Drawings:<\/strong> Mastering the ability to read complex engineering blueprints to determine dimensions and assembly sequences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Engineering Measurements & Computations:<\/strong> Performing high-precision measurements and geometric calculations for fabrication layouts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Thermal Cutting & Gouging:<\/strong> Using oxy-fuel, plasma, or carbon arc equipment to cut and shape metal sections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Fabrication & Shaping:<\/strong> Mastering manual and machine-assisted forming, bending, and rolling techniques.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Work Health & Safety (WHS):<\/strong> Operating safely in high-risk environments involving heat, fumes, and heavy machinery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      Mandatory Requirements & Apprenticeships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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      • Apprenticeship Only:<\/strong> This qualification is primarily delivered through a formal apprenticeship contract<\/strong>. You must be employed by a suitable engineering firm that provides on-the-job training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Duration:<\/strong> Typically takes 3 to 4 years<\/strong> to complete through a combination of work-based learning and block-release TAFE\/RTO attendance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Entry Requirements:<\/strong> Most employers look for Year 10 or 12 completion with solid grades in Mathematics and English<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Clearances:<\/strong> You will need a White Card<\/strong> (General Construction Induction) if your work takes you onto construction sites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n\n\n\n

        Average Salary Expectations (2026)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Fabrication trades offer some of the highest earning potential in the manual trades, especially for those willing to work in the resources or infrastructure sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Role<\/strong><\/td>Average Annual Salary (AUD)<\/strong><\/td>Average Hourly Rate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        Qualified Boilermaker<\/strong><\/td>$85,000 \u2013 $105,000<\/strong><\/td>$43 \u2013 $53<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        First Class Welder<\/strong><\/td>$82,000 \u2013 $98,000<\/strong><\/td>$42 \u2013 $50<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        Sheet Metal Tradesperson<\/strong><\/td>$78,000 \u2013 $92,000<\/strong><\/td>$40 \u2013 $47<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        FIFO Fabricator (Mining)<\/strong><\/td>$135,000 \u2013 $185,000+<\/strong><\/td>$65 \u2013 $90+<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Note: In 2026, the <\/em>Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)<\/em><\/strong> for sponsored workers is approximately <\/em>$79,499<\/em><\/strong>, which most qualified fabricators comfortably exceed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Why Choose the RPL Pathway for MEM30319?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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        • Trade Recognition:<\/strong> If you have been working as a “Welder” or “Trade Assistant” for years without papers, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)<\/strong> can turn your experience into a formal trade certificate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Licensing & Insurance:<\/strong> Holding a formal trade qualification is often a legal requirement for signing off on structural work and obtaining specialized business insurance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Career Pivot:<\/strong> Move from a “labourer” pay grade to a “tradesman” grade instantly upon certification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Evidence Required:<\/strong> For RPL, you will typically need to provide 30\u201340 images\/videos<\/strong> of your work, employer references, and undergo a practical challenge test.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Build the world around you.<\/strong> If you have the hand-eye coordination for precision welding and the spatial awareness to turn a flat sheet of steel into a complex 3D structure, the MEM30319 is your professional gateway. Let us help you bridge the gap between your manual skills and a nationally recognized trade career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Are you currently working in the trade and looking to see if your years of experience qualify you for an RPL “Trade Paper” check?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade) is the industry-standard qualification for becoming a qualified Boilermaker, Welder, or Sheet Metal Worker in Australia. This trade-level qualification focuses on the skills required to cut, shape, join, and finish metal components for everything from massive mining equipment and structural skyscrapers to intricate stainless steel kitchenware. In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-157","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":356,"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/157\/revisions\/356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yarraberry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}