Industry advocacy

Building a stronger welding industry for all Australians

Weld Australia leads advocacy for the welding and fabrication industry.

We work with government, industry and education providers to drive policy reform, strengthen Australia's sovereign manufacturing capability, address critical skills shortages, improve standards compliance and protect public safety.

Our priorities Read our submissions

Advocacy priorities at a glance

70,000 Welders Australia will be short of by 2030

<1% Female welding and fabrication workforce

5% Manufacturing share of GDP today Down from a historical peak of around 28%

30–50% Capacity some businesses are operating at due to the skills gap

Our mission

Securing the long-term future of Australia's welding sector

We work closely with government, industry, education providers, and key stakeholders to influence policy, drive reform, and champion initiatives that deliver real outcomes.

From strengthening onshore manufacturing and improving quality and safety, through to advancing training, supporting apprenticeships, and promoting diversity and wellbeing — our advocacy spans the full breadth of the industry.

Priority area 01

Sovereign manufacturing capability in Australia

Australia's sovereign manufacturing capability is under increasing pressure, with decades of offshoring eroding local industry capacity, jobs, and expertise. Once contributing around 28% of GDP, manufacturing now accounts for just 5% — a decline driven by procurement decisions that prioritise lowest upfront cost over quality, safety, and long-term value.

Weld Australia advocates for stronger local content policies and smarter procurement practices that recognise the importance of investing in Australian industry. Building sovereign capability ensures safety, resilience, and a sustainable future.

Why it matters Sovereign capability strengthens safety, resilience, local jobs and long-term national interest.

Manufacturing capability From around 28% of GDP historically to approximately 5% today

Priority area 02

Welding standards, quality, compliance and public safety

Australia has some of the highest-quality welding standards in the world, but too often, compliance with these standards is voluntary rather than enforced. This creates a critical gap, allowing non-compliant products — particularly imported fabricated steel — to enter the market at the expense of quality, safety, and long-term performance.

Weld Australia advocates for stronger regulatory frameworks that require all fabricated steel — whether produced locally or overseas — to meet Australian Standards. Ensuring compliance is not just an industry issue; it is a public safety imperative.

Compliance gap In many international markets, certification to recognised standards is mandatory. In Australia, it remains largely voluntary — creating an uneven playing field and genuine public safety risks.

Priority area 03

Welders Australia will be short of by 2030

70,000 welders Australia will be short of by 2030

Australia is facing a critical shortage of skilled welders threatening the delivery of major infrastructure, energy, defence, and manufacturing projects. Many businesses are already operating at just 30–50% capacity due to a lack of qualified personnel.

This challenge is compounded by a declining workforce, an ageing demographic, and a global shortage of welding talent — meaning international recruitment alone cannot solve the problem.

Read our skills shortage report

2030 Projected critical shortage year

30–50% Capacity some businesses are operating at

Ageing Workforce under increasing demographic pressure

Global Shortage cannot be solved by recruitment alone

Priority area 04

Women in welding

<1% of Australia's welding and fabrication workforce is female

This imbalance is not just an equity issue — it is a missed opportunity to address critical skills shortages, boost productivity, and drive innovation. As demand for skilled welders continues to grow, increasing female participation is one of the most effective ways to expand the talent pool.

Weld Australia advocates for targeted initiatives that encourage more women into welding — including improved access to training, stronger career pathways, and measurable diversity targets. Creating a more diverse workforce is essential to the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Women in Welding initiative

Priority area 05

Welding apprentices and TAFE training

Australia's future welding capability depends on a strong pipeline of skilled tradespeople. Yet apprenticeships have declined significantly while demand for qualified welders grows. An ageing workforce and increasing reliance on university pathways have left critical gaps in vocational skills.

TAFEs remain a strategic national asset. Weld Australia advocates for renewed investment in TAFEs and a revitalised apprenticeship system — including future-focused curricula, stronger industry alignment, and clear pathways from training into employment.

Renewed TAFE investment Hands-on technical training as a strategic national asset

Revitalised apprenticeships Clear pathways from training into long-term employment

Priority area 06

VET rehabilitation programs for prisoners

Australia's growing prison population presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Many inmates — particularly younger individuals and repeat offenders — have low levels of education and limited access to meaningful employment pathways, contributing to high rates of reoffending.

Weld Australia advocates for targeted VET rehabilitation programs within correctional facilities as a practical solution — addressing skills shortages while creating real pathways to employment and reducing recidivism.

Job-ready skills Welding training to ISO 9606 standards through VET Centre of Excellence programs is already demonstrating strong results — equipping participants with industry-aligned skills.

Training gave me a real skill, a real job, and a future I could build towards. This program changed everything.

Program participant — VET Welding Centre of Excellence

Latest

Weld Australia in the news

Recent advocacy announcements and media updates from Weld Australia.

Media release

Weld Australia calls for mandatory steel certification in Budget Submission 2026–27

Weld Australia's Budget Submission outlines a comprehensive strategy to address Australia's welding skills crisis and strengthen sovereign manufacturing capability.

Media release

New data: Australia on track to be 70,000 welders short by 2030 without urgent action

A new Weld Australia report reveals the full scale of Australia's looming welding skills crisis and calls for a coordinated, long-term national response.

News

Weld Australia launches national Women in Welding initiative to tackle skills shortage

A new initiative aims to grow female participation in the welding and fabrication sector — currently less than 1% of the total workforce in Australia.

All news