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Weld Connect | September 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

WELD AUSTRALIA CONTACTS

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A Message from our CEO 03 Why Your Welding Torch Matters More Than You Think 06 50% Off Training in Queensland 08 Welcome to Our Newest Members 10 Member Directory 11 The Welding Excellence Awards are Moving 12 Free Membership for Apprentices and Students 13 Power Generation Industry Group Meeting 14 Recent Media Coverage 15 INDUSTRY NEWS Breaking News 16 100 Scholarships on Offer at TAFE Queensland 17 TAFE NSW Training Gives Local Teen an Edge 18 Introducing Mass Engineering Services 19 EVENTS Upcoming Events 20 INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATION & CERTIFICATION Congratulations to all the Newly Qualified Individuals Weld Australia’s Exam Calendar

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COMPANY CERTIFICATION Combined AS/NS ISO 3834 + AS/NZS 5131 Certification

TRAINING In-House Training 24 Upcoming Training Courses 25 Building Capability through Welding Supervisor Training 26 Weld Australia Delivers ISO 9606-1 Assessments 26

NATIONAL OFFICE PO Box 197, Macquarie Park BC NSW 1670 1800 189 900 office@weldaustralia.com.au weldaustralia.com.au Geoff Crittenden Chief Executive Officer 1800 189 900 office@weldaustralia.com.au STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Ben Mitchell, Director, Strategic Partnerships 0467 419 657 office@weldaustralia.com.au TRAINING Guy Brooks, General Manager, Training Operations 0488 743 322 training@weldaustralia.com.au MARKETING & EVENTS Michelle Tagliapietra, Executive General Manager, Sales & Marketing 0437 106 726 marketing@weldaustralia.com.au events@weldaustralia.com.au MEMBERSHIP David Choudry, Membership Manager 0417 878 104 membership@weldaustralia.com.au QUALIFICATION & CERTIFICATION Luke Nicholls, General Manager, Qualification & Certification 0487 487 985 qnc@weldaustralia.com.au ENGINEERING Simon Doe, Director, Engineering 0490 384 406 engineering@weldaustralia.com.au NEW SOUTH WALES Ashkan Abdibastami, Welding Engineer 0456 850 315 a.abdibastami@weldaustralia.com.au VICTORIA, TASMANIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA & WESTERN AUSTRALIA Victor Blain, General Manager, Engineering – VIC, TAS, SA & WA 0409 823 991 v.blain@weldaustralia.com.au QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY Ross O’Bryan, General Manager, Engineering – QLD, ACT, NSW, NT 0491 491 888 r.obryan@weldaustralia.com.au

Weld Connect | July 2026

PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION FAILS FABRICATORS Weld Australia has expressed profound disappointment at the Productivity Commission’s interim report into fabricated structural steel safeguards, which concludes that safeguard measures are not warranted—despite the Commission’s own data showing that imports grew 28% over the five-year investigation period. The Productivity Commission has looked at an industry under siege and told it to wait. The Commission’s own report concedes that imports are rising, that employment has fallen from its peak, and that industry segments are facing difficult conditions. Yet its answer is that the damage is not ‘sudden’ or ‘serious’ enough to justify action. Tell that to the Australian welders and fabricators closing their doors.

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The Productivity Commission has looked at an industry under siege and told it to wait. The Commission’s own report concedes that imports are rising... Yet its answer is that the damage is not ‘sudden’ or ‘serious’ enough to justify action. Tell that to the Australian welders and fabricators closing their doors.

Weld Connect | September 2026

When a fabricator walks away from the work it was built to do because it cannot compete with cheap imports, the Productivity Commission calls it ‘adjustment’. On the workshop floor, it is capability being lost—jobs, skills and hard-won technical knowledge that cannot be rebuilt overnight. By the time an import surge is ‘recent, sudden, sharp and significant’ enough to satisfy WTO lawyers, there will be no industry left to safeguard. The interim report (open for public comment until 30 September 2026) demonstrates exactly why governments cannot hide behind legal thresholds and trade tribunals while local manufacturing capability disappears. Weld Australia is calling on federal and state governments to stop talking about the importance of Australian manufacturing and start backing local industry through practical, enforceable procurement and productivity reforms.

Australia’s manufacturing sector, particularly small and medium-sized fabricators, is being squeezed by rising costs, cheap imports, weak procurement settings and a lack of genuine support for local capability.

and grew by just 0.3% over the year, while multifactor productivity declined by 0.5% in 2024–25. These figures should prompt a serious national conversation about how Australia builds and maintains industrial capability.

Australia has a productivity problem, but too much of the national conversation starts and ends with cost. Productivity is not about finding the cheapest bid or stripping another percentage point out of procurement. Real productivity comes from capability: better technology, better skills, better systems, better planning, better use of capital, and stronger local supply chains.

Labour productivity drives economic growth, real wages and living standards. If we want Australians to earn more, build more, export more and compete globally, we need to invest in the businesses that actually produce things. For Australian fabricators, the confidence to invest is being destroyed.

Governments of all political persuasions have spent decades talking about manufacturing, sovereign capability, regional jobs and apprenticeships, while too often awarding work to the cheapest offshore option. Governments talk about Australian jobs, then award work offshore. They talk about supply chain resilience, then rely on imported fabricated steel. They talk about sovereign capability, then allow the small and mediumsized fabricators that actually underpin that capability to be undercut. That is not a manufacturing policy. It is short-term accounting dressed up as productivity. The Productivity Commission’s latest data shows labour productivity fell by 0.6% in the March 2026 quarter

Weld Connect | September 2026

SMEs under pressure Weld Australia says the crisis facing small and mediumsized businesses is being felt across the fabrication sector. ASIC has reported that 47,728 businesses have entered insolvency since May 2022, including 14,011 during the 2025–26 financial year alone. The construction industry has recorded more than 10,000 insolvencies over the past four years. Most Australian fabricators are SMEs. They are not multinational primes, and they do not have endless balance sheets,” Crittenden said. “They do not have dedicated teams to manage every new compliance obligation, nor do they have the market power to

simply pass on every cost increase. Yet these are the businesses we will rely on to build the future.

return generated when Australian businesses employ Australian workers and train Australian apprentices.

Local fabricators will be essential to Australia’s defence, AUKUS, shipbuilding, infrastructure, power generation, renewable energy, transmission, mining and critical minerals ambitions, as well as the ongoing maintenance and repair of existing assets.

Imported fabricated steel must be held to the same standards Weld Australia is also calling for stronger enforcement of standards for imported fabricated steel.

Australia must back its own industry Other countries understand the importance of backing domestic industry in the national interest. When Canada was hit with new United States tariffs, its government did not respond with another industry roundtable and a promise to consider options. It announced targeted countermeasures and a $7.5 billion package of support for workers and businesses, including specific liquidity support for SMEs and targeted measures for steel and aluminium. That is what it looks like when a country backs its industry. Australia needs the same clarity of purpose.” Weld Australia is calling for practical, enforceable, productivity-focused industrial policy, starting with government procurement. Price matters, but it cannot be the only measure. The right price, the right quality and delivery on time should be the baseline. Government procurement must also consider local content, standards compliance, whole-of-life value, sovereign capability, skills development, supply chain resilience and the economic

Weld Connect | September 2026

Australian fabricators are expected to comply with Australian Standards, maintain welding procedures, employ qualified people, keep records, pass inspections and meet safety obligations. Imported fabricated steel must be held to the same bar. If it complies, it should be welcome. If it does not, it should not be used. Local industry cannot be expected to compete against imported products that are not subject to the same level of compliance scrutiny. This is not about protectionism. It is about fair competition, public safety and sovereign capability. Productivity is not achieved by squeezing Australian manufacturers until they break. It is achieved by giving them the work, certainty and confidence to invest. If we want Australian jobs, we must buy from Australian industry. If we want sovereign capability, we must maintain the fabricators who make it possible. If we want productivity, we must invest in the people, technology and businesses that actually produce things. Australian welders and fabricators are not asking for special treatment. They’re simply asking for a fair go.

Geoff Crit enden

CEO, Weld Australia

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If these companies disappear, we cannot recreate their capability overnight. A welding workshop is not just a building full of machines. It is people, procedures and decades of trade knowledge. It is supervisors, welders, inspectors, apprentices, relationships, experience and hard-won technical judgement. Once that is gone, it is gone.

WHY YOUR WELDING TORCH MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK For most professional welders, the welding machine often gets the most attention when it comes to performance. The welding torch, usually considered an accessory, is often overlooked. Yet, as an extension of the welder’s hand and the component between the machine and the weld, it too, is integral to performance. Puts You in Control A quality welding torch does much more than deliver current, shielding gas and filler material. It provides the precision and control needed to produce consistent, high-quality welds. As an extension of the welder’s hand, it allows smooth manipulation of the weld pool and accurate positioning, helping translate skill and technique into reliable results. Even the best welding machine cannot perform to its full potential if the torch limits control or handling. Capability Where it Counts Practical design is equally important. Real-world fabrication often requires welding in confined spaces and difficult positions. A well-designed torch helps welders overcome these challenges without compromising weld quality. The Kemppi Flexlite GXP Rotex torch, for example, features an ergonomic neck that extends by up to 70 mm and rotates through 360°, providing easier access to awkward joints and reducing the need for uncomfortable working positions.

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Durability Provides Uptime The durability of a welding torch also directly affects productivity. Quality welding torches are built to withstand constant exposure to heat, spatter, dust and

The Flexlite GXP Rotex torch extends to 70mm and rotates 360°

impacts. For instance, the Kemppi Flexlite GXe MIG/MAG welding torch. It is tested for reliability in temperatures from -30°C to +40°C and it is also extensively evaluated for dust and splash resistance. Torches that cannot withstand harsh conditions interrupt workflows and contribute directly to poor uptime. Delivers Comfort If you cannot comfortably hold your welding torch, then this is likely to affect weld quality and performance. A quality welding torch delivers balanced weight, a comfortable contoured grip design and intuitive controls that are quick and easy to access. With the right ergonomics, a welding torch fits the hand like a glove and allows the welder to feel the work. The comfort delivered by the torch contributes to your welding fluency and performance. Upholds Safety Comfort also contributes to safety. A comfortable welding torch helps reduce fatigue as well as the likelihood of injury. A well-designed torch will also help welders who find themselves in awkward positions or weld for long periods of time to combat strain and maintain performance. Long-life Consumables Torches with longer-lasting consumable parts mean fewer interruptions for changeovers and more time spent welding. Both the GXP Rotex and Flexlite GXe torches are designed with longlife consumables that can last up to four times longer than conventional alternatives, reducing changeovers and increasing productive arc time. So, when selecting a new welding machine, the humble torch deserves just as much consideration as the power source. The right torch improves control, supports operator comfort, increases uptime and ultimately helps deliver consistently high-quality welds.

Built for harsh conditions, the Flexlite GXe torch

Weld Connect | September 2026

This article was provided as part of a paid sponsorship package.

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Weld Connect | September 2026

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Weld Connect | September 2026

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Dates TBC

WELD AUSTRALIA WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ALL OUR NEW MEMBERS WHO HAVE JOINED RECENTLY. CORPORATE MEMBERS Agrecruit: agrecruit.com.au HiSPEC Fabrication and Construction Services: hispecfabrication.com.au MG Engineering: mgengineering.com.au

Lifting capability, quality and safety — together Weld Australia membership connects you to the heart of the welding industry. As the nation’s peak welding association, we provide members with access to technical expertise, training, certification, industry insights, and a powerful advocacy voice.

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Our membership structure is built for how industry really works. We’ve mapped benefits to real needs, so every member — regardless of size or specialisation — unlocks practical value from day one. Through events, forums and working groups, you’ll find a community that shares knowledge generously and collaborates to solve realworld challenges. As your collective voice, we advocate with governments, standards bodies and major procurers to strengthen local content, lift performance, and build a resilient, sovereign manufacturing base. Not a member? Contact us today on membership@weldaustralia.com.au for further details.

JOIN NOW

Weld Connect | September 2026

CORPORATE MEMBERS GOLD AML3D APA Delta Electricity (Vales Point) Energy Australia Loy Yang B Power Station Millmerran Operating Company NRG Gladstone Operating Service Stanwell Corporation Limited TRIGONOMICS SILVER Agrecruit ASC Blue Tongue Skills HRL Technology Group Main Roads Western Australia Micron Manufacturing Outsource Institute (Aust) Process & Pipeline Services SRG Global Asset Care Uneek Bending BRONZE 3Way Solutions A1 Metallising Services A & O Engineering Acciona M&E ACT Steelworks A.F. Gason Aflex Allweld Manufacturing Alstom Ancon Building Products Apave Australia APS Industrial Services ARL Laboratory Services ArcStructural BAE Systems Maritime Australia Baker & Provan

Barker Hume Homes Bhullar Engineering Bisalloy Steels Bossong Engineering Boval Engineering Bradken Callidus Welding Solutions Camco Engineering Catten Industries CCR Group Century Engineering Consep Core Inspection Services Coslee Australia Crisp Bros Haywards Cullen Steel Fabrications D&L Engineering DGH Engineering Direct Force Diverse Welding Services Dux Hot Water DVR Engineering Edcon Steel Elphinstone EMH Industries Empire Industrial Engineering Engineering Industries Australia Epiroc FIELD Engineers Fifteen54 Fluid Engineering Foxheat Fredericks Fabrication Fremantle Steel Group Frontline Manufacturing Furphy Engineering GACWheels Mining Global Manufacturing Group GM Poles Gonzalez Steel

Griffin Marine Services GVP Fabricators Halliday Engineering Hanlon Industries Haulmark Trailers (Australia) HiSPEC Fabrication and Construction Services Hilton Manufacturing Hitec Welding HVAC Australia IKAD Engineering Incat Tasmania Ingal EPS iQ Solutions Queensland iScope4Repair Jake’s Steel & Welding Jayben Group JB Specialised Engineering JGF Engineering WA KAW Engineering KOTZUR KS Metal Fabrications LAI Switchboards Laser 3D Lead College Lighthouse Engineering Linkforce Procurement Lucky Strike Welding Macfab Engineering Marand Precision Engineering MC Quality Control Metro Steel Fabrication WA Metzke MG Engineering Midway Metals Monadelphous Group Morgan Engineering MRT Fabrication MTE Munster Services Group

NEACH NEPEAN Engineering OPIE Group Precision Metal Group Precision Oxycut Prince Engineering QMW Industries Queensland Transport & Main Roads QSM Fabrication Ralsto Steel Services RCR Mining Technologies Red Earth NDT RJB Industries Rockpress Roddy Engineering RUD Australia RMW Fabrication and Consulting Samaras Group Santos ServiceStream Maintenance Shadbolt Group Steel Mains Structural Integrity Engineering Studweld International SWA Water Australia TEi Services Telwater TMH Welding & Fabrication TTM Engineering UGL United Pacific Engineering Veolia Ventia Victoria State Emergency Service Victorian Testing & Inspection Services Water Corporation Williams Metal Fabrications WPF Duratec

INDUSTRY SUPPLIER MEMBERS

SILVER Air Liquide Apex Welding Solutions (AWS) Diverseco Lorch BRONZE Gentronics and Onegas Nederman Weldclass W.E.S.S.

Weld Connect | September 2026

SUPPLIER Abicor Binzel Agrecruit AIWER (Australian Institute of Workintegrated Education and Research) Alphaweld Supply Group Applied Ultrasonics International Bulgin Group CIGWELD Colbotic Automation Industrial Laser Solutions Lincoln Electric OLP Robotics Robotic Automation Group Skill Hire WA Smenco Ulbrec Products Welding Guns of Australia (Unimig)

KEEN TO WORK WITH A WELD AUSTRALIA MEMBER? If you’re seeking a trusted supplier, contractor or specialist, we can help connect you with the right organisation for your needs. To request an introduction to one of our members, contact us via membership@weldaustralia.com.au

Our team is happy to assist.

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GOLD BlueScope Steel BOC Coregas Elliotts Australia Kemppi SFE Group SPW Welding Industries of Australia (WIA)

THE WELDING EXCELLENCE AWARDS ARE MOVING, AND GETTING EVEN BETTER The Welding Excellence Awards exist for one reason: to make sure the people and businesses doing outstanding work in Australian welding and fabrication get the recognition they’ve earned. We recently announced a change to how we deliver on that. The State Welding Excellence Awards scheduled for October and November 2026 will move to early 2027. We have extended the nomination closing date to Friday 6 November. For more information on how to enter, click here. Every nomination already submitted carries forward automatically. Why we’re making the change It is a demanding period for our industry. Cost pressures, workforce shortages and skills gaps are real, and for most of our members the priority right now is getting the work out the door. We understand that. We also understand that sitting down to write an Awards nomination takes time that a lot of people simply haven’t had this year. We want the Awards to reflect the full breadth of what’s happening across Australian welding and fabrication. So, we’re giving industry more time.

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More than a change of date We could have moved the same events a few months to the right. We decided that would be a wasted opportunity. Instead, we’re using the additional lead time

Weld Connect | September 2026

to look at the Awards as a whole: • The categories: making sure they reflect the work, the skills and the people that matter to this industry today. • Finalist recognition: recognising the strength of the field, not just the name in the envelope. • The event experience: venues, format, and far more room for genuine industry connection. Longer term, we want to create a pathway from state-based recognition through to national recognition, bringing the best of the state winners together on a national stage. We’re developing that model now, and will have more to say about it during 2027. What this means for you If you’ve already submitted a nomination: your submission is safe. It carries forward automatically. There is nothing you need to resubmit, and no further action required. If you haven’t nominated yet: you now have more time to enter. Nominations are now due by Friday 6 November 2026. State dates and venues for 2027 are being finalised and will be announced shortly. If you have already booked tickets, they carry forward automatically; there is nothing more you need to do. Questions? Email events@weldaustralia.com.au

IGNITE YOUR WELDING CAREER FREE WELD AUSTRALIA MEMBERSHIP FOR APPRENTICES & STUDENTS

Weld Australia Student and Apprentice Membership is FREE for currently enrolled students and apprentices completing a welding related vocational training course within an Australian TAFE or Registered Training Organisation. As an active member of Weld Australia, you have the power to be part of the collective, to voice your opinion and to influence real change.

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noticeable impact on our line. providing our members withbottom a competitive advantage through access to industry, research, education, certification, government, and the wider industrial community.

Our primary goal is to ensure that the Australian welding industry remains both locally and globally competitive, both now and into the future.

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POWER GENERATION BOILER–TURBINE INDUSTRY GROUP MEETING Weld Australia’s Power Generation Boiler–Turbine Industry Group gathered for its 71st meeting in early September, hosted at Loy Yang B Power Station in Traralgon, Victoria, with members attending both in person and online from across the country. Day one delivered a packed technical program spanning the full breadth of challenges facing Australia’s power generation sector. Following updates from Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden and a standards briefing from Bruce Cannon, members heard a dozen presentations covering everything from boiler circulation pump replacement and an unpredictable failure mode at Mt Piper, to boiler water chemistry analysis for flowaccelerated corrosion (FAC) management, in-service expansion joint replacement, and the inspection of small diameter coils using high-resolution intelligent pipeline inspection gauges. The energy transition was firmly on the agenda too, with AEMO joining the group for a presentation and open discussion, and AVL presenting on vanadium redox flow battery technology. Lively open discussion rounded out the day, tackling issues front of mind for every generator: flexible operations of ageing plant, loss of OEM support, and the availability of aftermarket spares. Day two began with a highlight of the program: a plant inspection of Loy Yang B Power Station, giving members a first-hand look at the operation. The Process Safety Industry Group then convened, with presentations on process safety event tracking at Millmerran and live cumulative risk monitoring, followed by a facilitated peer benchmarking review; a testament to the collaborative, knowledge-sharing spirit that defines our industry groups.

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Weld Australia extends its sincere thanks to Loy Yang B for hosting the event, to all presenters for generously sharing their expertise, and to the members who travelled from near and far to take part.

Weld Connect | September 2026

L to R: Mark Rooney, previous chair of the Boiler-Turbine group is presented with a certificate of appreciation by Geoff Crittenden (CEO, Weld Australia).

RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE PC infuriates steel industry by ignoring tariff plea, published in The Australian Welders furious with Productivity Commission over cheap steel imports, published in the Australian Financial Review Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in The Canberra Times Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in the Newcastle Herald Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in The Examiner Weld Australia criticises Productivity Commission report on manufacturing safeguards, published in Australian Manufacturing Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in Country Leader PC rejects steel safeguards, published in Climate Control News

Fabricated steel ruling draws renewed reform push, published by Melbourne Insider Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in the Goulburn Post Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in the Border Mail Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in The Ballarat Courier

Weld Connect | September 2026

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Domestic industry steels itself after tariff report, published in the Bunbury Mail

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES INVITED TO SUPPORT VIRGINIA CLASS SUBMARINE SUSTAINMENT IN WA

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING APPRENTICE AWARDS 2027

Australian businesses are being called to step forward and play a direct role in sustaining US-built submarines in Western Australia, with new supply chain opportunities opening ahead of Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF‑West), commencing in 2027.

Queensland’s manufacturing sector is looking to recognise its next generation of female tradespeople, with nominations now open for the Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards 2027. The statewide awards will recognise women apprentices demonstrating leadership, initiative and communication excellence across Queensland’s manufacturing sector, with two categories and a total prize pool of $15,000.

For the first time, Australian industry can submit expressions of Interest through the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) Program to qualify for work supporting the sustainment of Virginia Class submarines operating from HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, south of Perth. This expands the existing role of the DIVQ Program, which already enables Australian businesses to compete for opportunities in the Virginia Class supply chain supporting submarine construction in the US.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Through the DIVQ Program, which was established by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) in partnership with the US Government, ASC is helping Australian industry lift its systems, processes and technical capability to meet stringent US standards and requirements. The expansion into sustainment work in Western Australia represents a significant new opportunity for Australian businesses to secure long-term, high-value work supporting the operational readiness of these submarines in-country.

Weld Connect | September 2026

The Leading Apprentice Award winner will receive $10,000, while the Highly Commended Apprentice Award recipient will receive $5,000, sponsored by Manufacturing Skills Queensland. The prizes can be used to support professional development, training, education, tools or uniforms. Queensland Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said the awards highlighted the contribution women were making to the state’s manufacturing workforce. “The future of Queensland manufacturing is being built by apprentices today. These awards recognise the talented women already building careers in manufacturing and show the next generation that there is a place for them in Queensland’s manufacturing future.” Nominations close on 9 October 2026.

100 SCHOLARSHIPS ON OFFER AT TAFE QUEENSLAND

Queenslanders gain qualifications that empower them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and industries,” he said.

TAFE Queensland scholarships are now open for applications until 30 September 2026 - giving 100 Australians the opportunity to create a better future through vocational education and training.

Applications for the 2026 round of scholarships will be open from 6 July to 30 September 2026, offering 100 scholarships valued at $5,000 each.

TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer Tim Rawlings said scholarships help cover the costs of course fees, text books and living expenses. “We know the power vocational education and training has to change people’s lives and we want to help people fulfil their career potential regardless of their circumstances,” Mr Rawlings said. “Through our scholarship program, we’ve helped students overcome financial and social barriers and achieve incredible things.” “There’s no greater investment than supporting people to reach their full potential. We’re proud to help

Weld Connect | September 2026

Scholarships can be used to help cover course fees, textbooks, and living expenses while studying any TAFE Queensland course from a Certificate III through to an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor and Masters Degree, across more than 60 campus locations or online. With more than 1,000 applications received each year, Mr Rawlings encourages all Queenslanders, whether school leavers, career changers, or up-skillers to apply. “Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a fresh start, now is the time to take the leap. We want to hear your story,” he said. Scholarships are made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and donors, including NOUS, Samford Community Bank (Bendigo Bank), The Lighthouse Club, The Industry School, Exemplar Health, Fujitsu, QLD Hydro, RACQ, and Technology One. Apply now https://tafeqld.edu.au/scholarships

INDUSTRY NEWS

Now in its eleventh year, the TAFE Queensland Scholarship program has awarded more than $3.7 million in scholarships to over 795 students empowering everyday Queenslanders to pursue their vocational education goals and build better futures.

TAFE NSW TRAINING GIVES LOCAL TEEN EDGE IN HIGH-DEMAND TRADE At just 16 years old, Tannah Munson has launched into a career into an industry of high demand that will offer a sense of accomplishment and endless variety. While still at school, the Worrigee teenager took part in a six-week welding taster course at TAFE NSW Nowra, because he enjoyed building things and working with his hands. “I enjoyed the welding a lot. I liked the procedures and the hands-on experience,” Tannah said.

Stormtech Human Resources manager Nicole Creighton said Tannah’s pre-apprenticeship training helped him stand out from other applicants in the job interviews. “We take on two apprentices each year and Tannah’s Certificate II gave him a strong foundation before he walked through our doors,” Creighton said.

After completing the course, he enrolled in a Certificate II in Engineering. “I learned a lot in that course. It went into procedures and covered engineering measurement, angles, safety, and the use of different tools and machines for fabrication and welding. It also built my confidence in the trade. Once I finished the course, I decided I wanted to continue with this as a career.”

“He was able to step into the role with existing skills and knowledge, he didn’t have to start from scratch. There is great value in pre-apprenticeship training because it helps young people confirm that a trade is right for them while giving employers confidence they have enough skills to hit the ground running.”

“It’s great that I get to use the skills I’m learning to build things. Welding skills are always handy. With what I’ve learned, I can help others with metal projects and repairs,” Tannah said. Armed with a Statement of Attainment and a Certificate II in Engineering, Fabrication Trade, Tannah began searching for an apprenticeship. He saw local architectural drains manufacturer Stormtech was looking for an apprentice sheet metal worker, so he applied for the job. “In the interview, I spoke about my training and the skills I had learned,” Tannah said. He was offered an apprenticeship and credits his success to his TAFE training.

INDUSTRY NEWS

“I went from completing my Certificate II to starting an apprenticeship a month later. On my first day at work, I was already using skills I had learned during my course. When I’m welding, I’m completely focused on the job in front of me. I’m always striving for clean, high-quality welds that make the customer happy,” Tannah said.

TAFE NSW teacher Dan Brunt and welding student Tannah Munson

Weld Connect | September 2026

Creighton said skilled welders remain in strong demand across Australia and will continue to play an important role in the future workforce. “Like many trades, welding is experiencing skills shortages and there are excellent career opportunities available for young people entering the industry,” she said. “While automation will become increasingly common in manufacturing, businesses will always need skilled tradespeople who understand the fundamentals and know how those systems work. An apprenticeship provides a recognised trade qualification, practical experience and a pathway to a rewarding career. “Many of our apprentices go on to become supervisors and coordinators,” she said.

There’s a new name in Australian heavy engineering, but the expertise behind it spans more than four decades. Weld Australia is delighted to introduce Mass Engineering Services (MES). Established in 2025, MES is backed by Weld Australia Member, Bhullar Group. Headquartered in Bella Vista in New South Wales, MES offers tailored solutions across heavy engineering, structural steel, civil, mining, infrastructure, energy, rail, road and maritime sectors. Its comprehensive service offering spans project management, steel fabrication, installation, civil works, surface treatment, remedial works, and NDT and quality assurance services. A Commitment to Quality Quality sits at the heart of the MES operation. The company is accredited to ISO 9001(Quality Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), holds PCCP (Painting Contractor Certification Program) accreditation. MES / BE are undergoing certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 and AS/NZS 5131 CC3. That commitment extends to the industry itself: MES Operations and Compliance Manager, Subhasis Saha, serves as a member of Weld Australia’s NSW Committee, contributing their expertise to the advancement of the Australian welding industry. Delivering on Major Projects MES is already making its mark on some of the nation’s most significant infrastructure, with current involvement in the Warringah Freeway Upgrade (sign gantry modifications), the BlueScope Steel project at Port Kembla, and the Inland Rail Project at Wagga Wagga. In July 2026, the Bhullar Group demonstrated its sovereign manufacturing capability in spectacular

Weld Connect | September 2026

fashion, fabricating and delivering massive ARTC bridge girders, each measuring 34m in length, 2.5m in height and weighing 30 tonnes, from Narrandera to the Denman Yard in the Upper Hunter. Manufactured from 100% Australian steel and achieving a flawless 100% weld testing pass rate against stringent fatigue-category welding requirements, the delivery made front-page news in the Narrandera Argus — a proud moment for regional manufacturing. A Multimillion-Dollar Investment in Regional NSW The next chapter is already under construction. Their state-of-the-art workshop at Narrandera is scheduled to be fully operational from November 2026, with Stage 1 featuring a 6,500m2 covered workshop, multiple 60-tonne cranes and 16-tonne cranes installed and extensive storage facilities. The facility will house a brand-new Italian rolling machine capable of rolling 60mm thick AS/NZS 350 grade plate up to 3m wide, tandem-head submerged arc welding machines, beam straightening equipment, an 85-tonne mobile crane, a 20-tonne Franna, PCCP-approved painting facilities, and a fully operational manufacturing line producing welded beams and columns. Mass Engineering Services General Manager Amit Roy said, “The newly constructed multimillion-dollar Narrandera workshop is equipped with advanced automated manufacturing lines and is scheduled to become fully operational by November 2026. The facility will significantly expand production capability, supporting major national projects across civil engineering, renewable energy, and heavy transport infrastructure sectors while delivering skilled jobs and economic benefit to the Riverina region.” For further information, visit: massengineering.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

INTRODUCING MASS ENGINEERING SERVICES

CORPORATE SUPPLIER OPEN DAY & STAINLESS STEEL WELDING & FABRICATION MASTERCLASS When was the last time you saw the industry’s newest welding technology, shared a BBQ with your peers, and picked the brains of stainless steel specialists — all in one day, without spending a cent? On Thursday 24 September, that’s exactly what’s on offer at our South Australia Committee event. Kick off at 2:00pm with our Corporate Supplier Open Day, where Weld Australia’s leading corporate suppliers will showcase the latest equipment, technologies and solutions transforming the industry. Get hands-on with new products, ask the hard questions, and see what’s coming next, direct from the people building it. From 5:00pm, enjoy a complimentary BBQ and drinks while you network with welders, fabricators, engineers and industry leaders from across South Australia.

EVENTS

Then from 6:00pm, stay for the main event: the

Weld Connect | September 2026

Stainless Steel Welding and Fabrication Masterclass, presented in partnership with the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA). Stainless steel is unforgiving, with challenges like heat management, distortion, contamination, finishing and corrosion resistance all demand real know-how. This masterclass tackles those challenges head-on. No theory for theory’s sake. Just practical, workshop-ready knowledge you can put to use the very next day. Attend the Open Day, the Technical Masterclass, or experience the full program and make the most of this unique industry event. EVENT DETAILS • Date: Thursday 24 September 2026 • Time: 2:00pm to 9:00pm • Venue: Welding Equipment Sales Service Store • Address: 107 Cormack Rd, Wingfield SA 5013 • Cost: Free to attend

Weld Connect | September 2026

EVENTS

, QLD

NEWLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS Weld Australia would like to congratulate everyone who qualified in August. IIW INTERNATIONAL WELDING SPECIALIST (IWS) • Cliff Martin Concepcion • Simon Lahiff IIW INTERNATIONAL WELDING INSPECTOR STANDARD (IWI-S) • Grant Webster • Michael Bashford

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATION & CERTIFICATION

AS 1796 CERTIFICATE 2 • Aden Mills • Darcy Ross • Hunter Hegarty AS 1796 CERTIFICATE 4 • Hunter Hegarty

AS 1796 CERTIFICATE 7 • Aden Mills • Anthony Wallace • Clayton Hamblin • Dallas Fielder • Dominic Brereton • Eric Johnson • Ramin Jameh Bozorgi AS 1796 CERTIFICATE 8G • Conrad Henry • Ramin Jameh Bozorgi AS 1796 CERTIFICATE 11 • Jaeuk Jeong • Michael Bashford • Neil Flanagan • Shane Woods

AS 1796 CERTIFICATE 5 • Aden Mills • Hunter Hegarty

WELD AUSTRALIA’S EXAM CALENDAR Do you need to book an exam through WeldQ? We’ve made the process even easier, with our new exam calendar, which can be accessed via the WeldQ homepage. The calendar includes all exam dates for 2026, making planning ahead as simple as possible. Upcoming exam dates include: •

Friday 18 September: PE-B/WIE-B

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Wednesday 30 September: Re-sit Online Exams Wednesday 7 October: WTE-B/WTE-S Online Exam Friday 16 October: IWE/T- EA3/TA3 Exam Wednesday 28 October: Re-sit Online Exams

• • • •

Wednesday 4 November: WTE-B/WTE-S Online Exam

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Monday 9 November: National Welding Supervisor Exam - Paper A

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Wednesday 25 November: Re-sit Online Exams

FURTHER INFORMATION For further information about exams and qualifications, simply email our team via: qnc@weldaustralia.com.au

Weld Connect | September 2026

WELD AUSTRALIA’S COMBINED AS/NZS ISO 3834 + AS/NZS 5131 CERTIFICATION SERVICE Weld Australia now offers an innovative combined certification service for AS/NZS ISO 3834 and AS/NZS 5131. This new offering streamlines the certification process for fabricators and structural steel manufacturers, reducing time, cost, and administrative burden while ensuring compliance with both critical standards. This service is only available to businesses already certified to AS/NZS ISO 3834, or those completing a dual certification. AS/NZS 5131 certification is provided as an additional component—not as a stand-alone certification.

KEY BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION Achieving combined certification with Weld Australia delivers significant benefits for fabricators and purchasing organisations alike:

Our combined certification offering removes unnecessary duplication, making compliance easier and more accessible for businesses of all sizes. By consolidating audits into a single, integrated process, companies will experience significant cost savings, as they no longer need to undergo separate assessments. Additionally, the time and effort saved by avoiding multiple audits will allow businesses to focus on operational efficiency and quality outcomes rather than administrative workload.

GET CERTIFIED NOW Reduce costs, save time, and ensure your business meets industry standards with one simplified certification process. Simply email: certification@weldaustralia.com.au

Weld Connect | September 2026

COMPANY CERTIFICATION ENGINEERING

By integrating the audits for AS/NZS ISO 3834 and AS/NZS 5131, Weld Australia eliminates redundant certification processes, providing a simplified, efficient, and cost-effective solution. Companies seeking AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification can now opt to include AS/NZS 5131 as part of a single, comprehensive audit, ensuring compliance with welding quality and structural steel requirements in one streamlined step.

Weld Connect | September 2026

WELDING SUPERVISOR IN MACKAY

ISO 9606 WELDER QUALIFICATION IN MACKAY

Starts 22 September 2026 This course provides technical professionals with a practical understanding of welding technology, welding quality and the factors that influence the performance of welded components. Designed for nonwelders, the course explains key welding concepts in a clear, practical and industry-focused manner.

Starts 26 October 2026 Welding Supervisors understand the sector’s complex theoretical knowledge, and how it applies in practice. By pursuing a career in this area, you will open yourself up to many new professional qualities including skills like leadership, teamwork, communication, responsibility and problem solving.

Starts 23 November 2026 This program is designed to build the technical knowledge of welding personnel through structured, theorybased learning. It provides a pathway for individuals to gain formal recognition for the welds they already perform, while also offering the opportunity to expand their skills across different weld types and positions.

ENROL NOW

AS 2214 WELDING SUPERVISOR ONLINE

AS 1796 CERTIFICATE 10 ONLINE

Starts 20 January 2027 Welding Supervisors understand the sector’s complex theoretical knowledge, and how it applies in practice. By pursuing a career in this area, you will open yourself up to many new professional qualities including skills like leadership, teamwork, communication, responsibility and problem solving.

Starts 20 January 2027 Whether you work in pressure equipment, structural steel, manufacturing, infrastructure, mining or heavy industry, this qualification demonstrates advanced technical knowledge and leadership capability that employers value. Meets the requirements for a Welding Supervisor under AS 1210 and AS/NZS 1554.1.

ENROL NOW

Need help? Contact our Training team via training@weldaustralia.com.au

Weld Connect | September 2026

TRAINING

WELDING FUNDAMENTALS ONLINE

BUILDING INDUSTRY CAPABILITY THROUGH WELDING SUPERVISOR TRAINING Weld Australia successfully delivered Welding Supervisor training in Brisbane recently. The training was led by experienced instructors Joe Sandor and Kobus Beets, as part of our statewide partnership with Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ). This initiative is a key component of a broader program aimed at addressing critical skills shortages and strengthening welding capability across Queensland’s manufacturing sector, particularly in regional areas. Weld Australia is partnering with MSQ to deliver AS 1976 and AS 2214 Welding Supervisor training and ISO 9606 welder certification across Queensland in 2026. Manufacturing Skills Queensland is funding 50% of training costs for eligible participants, providing a costeffective pathway to build workforce capability and strengthen compliance across welding operations. Funding is available for employees of Queenslandbased manufacturing businesses who meet the training prerequisites and reside in Queensland. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 200 employees and provide details of their workforce size and manufacturing capabilities when applying. This project is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Manufacturing Hubs.

WELD AUSTRALIA DELIVERS ISO 9606-1 WELDER QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENTS Weld Australia has recently completed ISO 96061 welder qualification assessments, continuing its mission to build a highly skilled, internationally recognised welding workforce across Australia. Demand for ISO 9606-1 qualified welders continues to grow, driven by major defence, infrastructure and energy projects that require demonstrated compliance with international standards. For employers, engaging certified welders provides confidence in weld quality, reduces rework, and strengthens tender submissions for quality-critical work.

TRAINING

During the recent assessments, a number of welders were put through their paces by Weld Australia’s certified examiners, completing test pieces across a range of processes and positions. Each test piece was subjected to rigorous inspection and testing in accordance with the standard before qualification could be awarded. Weld Australia is the internationally recognised certification body for welder qualification in Australia and offers ISO 9606-1 assessment and certification services nationwide. Companies interested in qualifying their welders to ISO 9606-1, or welders looking to add an internationally recognised credential to their toolkit, can contact us via training@weldaustralia.com.au

Weld Connect | September 2026