Across Australia’s mine sites, refineries, and heavy industry projects, Boilermakers and Welders are the backbone of steelwork. They are the tradespeople who build, repair, and maintain the infrastructure that keeps Australia’s economy alive.
Every conveyor frame, crusher platform, pipeline, and haul truck tray is their creation. As new resources, energy, and manufacturing projects ramp up in 2026, FIFO Boilermakers and Welders are in record-high demand.
This guide covers everything — from what the job really involves to the salaries, training, and equipment that define this tough but rewarding trade.
1. The Role of a FIFO Boilermaker and Welder
Understanding the job scope is key before stepping into this trade. Boilermakers and Welders fabricate, assemble, and repair metal structures, working in workshops or directly on-site across mining, oil, gas, and civil projects.
Core Responsibilities
- Fabricate and repair metal components such as chutes, tanks, and conveyors.
- Read and interpret detailed fabrication drawings.
- Perform structural and pressure welding using MIG, TIG, FCAW, and MMAW.
- Conduct maintenance and shutdown repairs on mobile and fixed plant.
- Install platforms, walkways, and handrails according to engineering specs.
- Use oxy-acetylene, plasma cutters, and thermal gouging tools.
- Carry out quality assurance checks and ensure compliance with AS/NZS standards.
A typical day might involve welding in 45°C Pilbara heat or fabricating truck trays in a coastal workshop — precision and endurance go hand in hand.
2. The Difference Between Boilermakers and Welders
While the two jobs overlap, they have distinct focuses.
- Boilermakers build large structures like tanks, crushers, or heavy plant frames. They specialise in fitting, fabrication, and metal forming.
- Welders join metal components together through various processes, often focusing on pressure, pipeline, or structural welds.
Most FIFO employers prefer dual-trade workers who can both fabricate and weld to multiple codes.
3. Equipment, Techniques, and Welding Processes
Every Boilermaker and Welder must master the machines and methods that define their craft.
| Process | Description | Typical Use | Equipment and Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIG (GMAW) | Continuous wire feed welding | General fabrication and site assembly | Lincoln Electric, Miller, WIA |
| TIG (GTAW) | Precise, clean welding | Stainless steel and alloy pipework | Kemppi, ESAB, Fronius |
| Stick (MMAW) | Manual electrode welding | Heavy structural and shutdown work | Cigweld, Unimig |
| Flux Core (FCAW) | Deep penetration welds | High-strength structural welding | Lincoln Electric, Miller |
| Air Arc Gouging / Plasma Cutting | Metal removal and cutting | Shutdown maintenance | Hypertherm, Thermadyne |
Welders on mining sites often rotate between these processes depending on material type, thickness, and site requirements.
4. Key Industries and Project Types
Boilermakers and Welders are employed anywhere metal meets machinery.
- Mining and Resources: Fabricating conveyor systems, crushers, draglines, and truck trays.
- Oil and Gas: Pipe welding, pressure vessels, and platform fabrication.
- Infrastructure and Construction: Bridges, tunnels, and structural steel erection.
- Renewables: Wind turbine towers, solar farm structures, and battery enclosures.
- Manufacturing: Heavy transport and machinery assembly.
Employers range from BHP and Rio Tinto to Downer, Monadelphous, and CPB Contractors.
5. Locations with the Most Demand in 2026
Where you work as a FIFO Boilermaker depends on your trade experience and project type.
- Western Australia: Pilbara and Goldfields for mining fabrication and shutdown work.
- Queensland: Bowen Basin and Gladstone for coal, LNG, and port expansions.
- Northern Territory: Darwin and Gove for LNG and defence projects.
- South Australia: Olympic Dam and Whyalla for steel and copper processing.
- New South Wales: Hunter Valley and Broken Hill for renewables and maintenance.
Western Australia continues to lead the demand for skilled metal trades, especially in iron ore and lithium projects.
6. Required Qualifications and Tickets
Trade qualifications are the foundation for any FIFO Boilermaker or Welder.
Essential Training
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (MEM30319).
- White Card (CPCWHS1001).
- Working Safely at Heights (RIIWHS204E).
- Confined Space Entry (RIIWHS202E).
- High-Risk Work Licence (EWP, LF preferred).
- Construction site medical clearance.
Optional but Valued Certifications
- Pressure Welding (AS1796, AS1554).
- Welding Inspector Certification (WTIA).
- Advanced Rigging or Dogging Licence.
- 4WD or HR Driver’s Licence.
- Gas Testing and Fire Watch Training.
The more tickets you have, the more valuable you are to shutdown and construction employers.
7. Tools and Safety Gear Used on Site
A Boilermaker’s toolbox is heavy, but precision is everything.
Common Tools:
- MIG/TIG welders, grinders, clamps, and torches.
- Oxy sets and plasma cutters.
- Magnetic drills and magnetic squares.
- Welding gauges and calibration tools.
Safety Equipment:
- Auto-darkening helmets (Lincoln, Speedglas, Optrel).
- Flame-resistant clothing and welding leathers.
- Respiratory protection for fume-heavy areas.
- Heat-resistant gloves and aprons.
Proper PPE and clean workstations are non-negotiable on remote sites.
8. Salary Guide and Rosters (2026)
Boilermakers and Welders are rewarded for skill and endurance.
| Position | Hourly Rate | Annual Range | Common Roster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / Trade Assistant | $40–$50 | $90,000–$110,000 | 8:6 or 14:7 |
| Qualified Boilermaker / Welder | $55–$75 | $130,000–$160,000 | 2:1 |
| Advanced or Coded Welder | $80–$95 | $160,000–$180,000 | 2:1 or 3:1 |
| Leading Hand / Supervisor | $95–$110 | $180,000–$210,000 | 2:1 |
| Welding Inspector / QA Specialist | $110–$130 | $210,000–$240,000 | 4:2 |
Rosters vary by project, but most remote roles include flights, meals, and accommodation, with large bonuses during shutdowns.
9. Day-to-Day Work and Site Conditions
Life as a FIFO Boilermaker is demanding, hot, and highly physical.
A typical day starts at 5:30 am with pre-start safety meetings. From there, work may include cutting, fitting, and welding steel assemblies in confined spaces or at heights. Heat, dust, and noise are part of the environment, but teamwork and safety culture are strong.
Most sites provide air-conditioned workshops, hydration stations, and mandatory rest breaks during extreme weather.
10. Career Progression and Future Pathways
Boilermaking offers multiple routes to advancement beyond the tools.
Stage 1 (Years 1–3): Apprentice or Trade Assistant.
Stage 2 (Years 4–7): Qualified tradesperson or shutdown worker.
Stage 3 (Years 8–10): Coded Welder or Structural Fabrication Specialist.
Stage 4 (Years 11–15): Supervisor or Welding Inspector.
Stage 5 (15+ Years): Project Manager or Fabrication Superintendent.
Further Study Options
- Certificate IV in Engineering (MEM40119).
- Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820).
- Welding Supervision (AS2214).
- Quality Assurance and Inspection Courses.
Welders who upskill into inspection or QA roles can double their income while reducing physical workload.
11. Leading Employers and Recruitment Pathways
Top companies that regularly hire FIFO Boilermakers and Welders include:
- Mining Operators: BHP, FMG, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Newmont.
- Contractors: Monadelphous, Downer, Thiess, Macmahon, Civmec.
- Fabrication Firms: Westforce, AGC, BGC Contracting, Kerman, REMA TIP TOP.
- Recruitment Agencies: WorkPac, Programmed, CoreStaff, Stellar Recruitment.
Most companies prioritise candidates with shutdown experience and multi-process welding capability.
12. Work-Life Balance and Mental Health
The FIFO lifestyle can test even the most resilient workers.
Long rosters, isolation, and heat stress are common, but camps today provide gyms, recreation, Wi-Fi, and mental health services. Companies like BHP and Rio Tinto now run onsite counselling and fatigue management programs.
Building strong communication with family and scheduling regular home time are key to long-term success in FIFO life.
13. How to Start a FIFO Boilermaker or Welder Career
Getting into the trade takes skill, tickets, and persistence.
- Complete Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade.
- Gain workshop experience in structural or mobile plant fabrication.
- Get essential site tickets (White Card, Heights, Confined Space).
- Apply for short-term shutdown or labour-hire contracts.
- Progress to full FIFO roles with major contractors.
- Obtain coded welding qualifications for pressure and pipework.
Within five years, most committed Boilermakers earn $150,000+ with stable FIFO rotations.
14. The Future of Welding and Fabrication in 2026
Automation is changing how welders work, not replacing them.
Robotic welding, CNC plasma cutting, and augmented reality training are enhancing precision and safety, but skilled hands are still vital. The shift toward renewable energy, electric mining, and hydrogen infrastructure will only expand opportunities for qualified metal trades.
Australia’s transition to clean energy is being built, quite literally, by Boilermakers and Welders.
15. Conclusion: The Trade That Builds the Nation
Every mine, plant, and bridge that defines Australia’s progress carries the marks of a Boilermaker’s weld. It is a trade built on skill, strength, and pride — where every bead of weld represents craftsmanship that lasts decades.
In 2026, demand is higher than ever, and the opportunities for skilled tradespeople are endless. Whether you’re fabricating a crusher frame in Newman or welding pipework in Gladstone, the work you do keeps Australia moving.
Next Steps:
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
- Coded Welding and Pressure Welding Courses
- Working Safely at Heights and Confined Space Training
- Welding Inspection and QA Courses
