Standards guide
Australian Welding Standards and Tickets Explained
The four standards every Australian welder hears about — what they actually control, and when they apply to your work.
The big four
| Standard | Covers | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| AS/NZS 1554 | structural steel welding (GP/SP categories) | buildings, structures |
| AS 1674 | safety in welding and cutting | every workplace |
| AS 1796 | certification of pressure welders | pressure equipment |
| AS 2214 | qualification of welding supervisors | structural supervision |
Tickets: AS 1796 certificate classes and test positions
Two systems get conflated constantly. AS 1796 certificates (administered through Weld Australia-authorised examiners) are numbered classes 1–9, each covering a process and product — MMA plate/pipe in classes 1–5, TIG pipe in 7, MIG in 8 — and they require periodic re-validation. Position codes 1G–6g (aligned with AS/NZS ISO 9606-1) describe the test position itself — 1G flat through 6G pipe fixed at 45°, the hardest and best-paid qualification. Structural work typically qualifies welders via procedures to AS/NZS 1554 with ISO 9606-1 position tests; pressure work demands the AS 1796 classes.
When you legally need any of this
Hobby and own-property work: no licence exists. Structural work others rely on: certified welders under qualified procedures. Pressure work: full AS 1796 regime. The pragmatic line: if it holds people, fluids under pressure, or goes on a public road, the standards own you — and if you're not sure, ask an engineer before the arc, not after.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to weld in Australia?
For your own projects, farm repairs and most hobby work: no licence exists — welding itself is unregulated. What's regulated is the work: structural, pressure and boiler welding generally requires certified welders (AS 1796 tickets) working under qualified procedures, and trade work on regulated sites requires the relevant trade qualifications.
How much do welders earn in Australia?
Welders in Australia typically earn $70,000–$110,000 a year: around $30–$40/hr base for tradesmen, more with tickets, overtime and shutdown work. FIFO and pressure-pipe welders commonly clear $130,000–$180,000+, while first-year apprentices start near $25/hr under the modern award.
How do I get a welding ticket in Australia?
Book an assessment with an authorised examiner, pay the fee (typically $500–$1,500 depending on class), and pass a practical test welding the position and process you're being certified for under AS 1796. Tickets are skills tests, not courses — most welders prepare with a short practice program or on-the-job experience first.
What is AS/NZS 1554 and does it matter to me?
AS/NZS 1554 is the Australian/New Zealand structural steel welding standard — the rulebook for welds in buildings and structures, covering categories GP (general), SP (structural) and categories for stainless and reinforcing steel. It matters if you weld anything structural someone else relies on; it doesn't govern your home gate.
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