Working as a boilermaker in Australia: skills, qualifications, employment prospects

Boilermakers are tradespeople who assemble, install, maintain, and repair large containers – such as boilers, closed vats, and tanks. 

Boilermakers need to be skilled in working with metals – but, despite their name, they do not produce the boilers themselves. What boilermakers do is assemble pre-made boilers, which requires a mix of engineering skills and metalwork. In particular, they need to be skilled in welding techniques – especially TIG & MIG welding. Also, they often service and repair boilers already in operation.

Boilers, tanks, and vats that boilermakers work with are used to hold liquid and gas at high temperatures and under extremely high pressure. So, the boilermaker jobs are highly skilled, physically demanding, require quick decision making, and may involve working in hazardous environments. 

Due to the unique skill requirements of their trade, highly qualified boilermakers are always in demand all around Australia. At the same time, the boilermaker recruitment process needs to be thorough enough to ensure that successful candidates possess all necessary qualifications, experience, and physical and psychological abilities required for the job. As we at Synaco by Synergie are working towards achieving a zero-harm workplace environment, we strive to ensure that our candidates hold all safety certificates required for their jobs.

We at Synaco by Synergie are proud to be part of a 52-year-old global workforce solutions team and to provide recruitment services Australia-wide, working with large and small employers in a wide variety of industries. Whether you are just starting out as a boilermaker or are looking for a new assignment that will let you apply your advanced skills and challenge yourself – our dedicated team is always ready to help you find your next job or facilitate your career move.

So, are jobs for boilermakers on the rise in Australia – and what industries employ them?

Boilermaker recruitment prospects: what are Australian job market trends for skilled boilermakers?

Boilermaker job prospects are looking quite healthy at the moment, as their numbers in employment have been growing moderately over the past few years. Traditionally, the demand for boilermakers comes mostly from the manufacturing sector. They are widely employed in the construction industry, as well as in the mining and industrial environments. Boilermakers can also work in shipyards or be employed repairing hot water boilers used in commercial and residential sectors.

With the recent moves towards a cleaner, more environmentally friendly production methods, some additional opportunities for boilermakers have become available. For example, boilermakers can play an important part in restructuring water treatment plants and factories to reduce pollution and improve air quality and water treatment processes.

What qualifications and skills do boilermakers need?

To find a job as a boilermaker, you need formal qualifications and some certificates, as well as a broad set of other skills. You’ll require:

• Certificate III or IV in Engineering (Fabrication Trade). This four-year course allows you to develop various skills required for working with metal (such as metal fabrication, sheet metal work, structural steel erection, etc.) The course also teaches you how to do robotic welding using computer-controlled equipment. 

To complete this qualification, you’ll need to acquire some practical experience while studying. This is achieved by undergoing training with a Group Training Organisation (GTO) that takes care of arranging individual apprenticeships.

• Ability and necessary certifications to work in confined spaces. Boilermakers often find themselves working in confined spaces because they need to go inside boilers and vats to perform various installation and repairs tasks.
• Ability and necessary certifications to work at heights. Every now and again, when installing and repairing large tanks, boilermakers may be required to work at considerable heights.
• Physical strength and stamina. This is a physically demanding trade. Boiler and vat components are quite heavy – and boilermakers need to be able to move them into place when assembling the equipment and hold them for long periods of time when necessary.
• Understanding of safety rules and procedures. In addition to standard safety rules, boilermakers might also need to undergo industry-specific safety training. White Card or Blue Card might be required, especially for work in the construction industry.
• Strong decision making skills and ability to work under pressure.  Responding to emergencies is a routine part of a boilermaker’s job. As boilermakers often need to repair tanks and containers that hold various liquids and gas at high temperatures, they need to be able to handle potentially dangerous situations that they may encounter.

Are you looking for a job as a boilermaker? We can help!

We work hard to find the best possible match for you

At Synaco by Synergie, we believe that partnering with clients who share our goals and commitments is the best way to ensure that our employees are provided with a safe, healthy, and supportive work environment. We also work hard to ensure the best match between our employees and clients – and have robust recruitment processes in place to achieve that.

In our relationships with candidates and clients, we at Synaco by Synergie focus on being present, accountable, and available. This involves spending plenty of time in the field and attending pre-start and safety meetings, holding regular site and work area inspections, regular toolbox talks with our workforce, and other relevant pre-site and on-site inductions, assessments, and training.

Find your next job with Synaco by Synergie and see for yourself the positive difference our caring and dedicated approach makes to your career. You can browse our list of vacancies here.