Available courses

This unit of competency covers applying welding principles to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements for welding procedures generally associated with the application of one of the units satisfying Australian Standard 1796 Certificates 1-9. Both Parts A and B of Apply Welding Principles is required to be completed.

Part A covers curriculum item 1 to 12, Part B curriculum item 13 to 18.

Apply Welding Principles covers the underpinning knowledge required to satisfy Australian Standard 1796. It includes knowledge of welding terms, codes and symbols, the effects of heat treatment on metal as it relates to welding, and the logical sequence for a welding process required to be conducted to AS 1796. It covers welding, planning and set up principles for a range of materials and processes.

Apply Welding Principles should be assessed in combination with one of the units satisfying the Australian Standard 1796 Certificates 1-9 and these units include:

  • Perform welds to code standards using flux core arc welding process
  • Perform welds to code standards using gas metal arc welding process
  • Perform welds to code standards using gas tungsten arc welding process
  • Perform pipe welds to code standards using manual metal arc welding process
  • Perform welds to code standards using manual metal arc welding process.

Apply Welding Principles has been developed for Engineering Tradespersons - Fabrication in either apprenticeship or post trade training and the recognition of trade level knowledge of welding principles.


This unit of competency covers applying welding principles to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements for welding procedures generally associated with the application of one of the units satisfying Australian Standard 1796 Certificates 1-9. Both Parts A and B of Apply Welding Principles is required to be completed.

Part A covers curriculum item 1 to 12, Part B curriculum item 13 to 18.

Apply Welding Principles covers the underpinning knowledge required to satisfy Australian Standard 1796. It includes knowledge of welding terms, codes and symbols, the effects of heat treatment on metal as it relates to welding, and the logical sequence for a welding process required to be conducted to AS 1796. It covers welding, planning and set up principles for a range of materials and processes.

Apply Welding Principles should be assessed in combination with one of the units satisfying the Australian Standard 1796 Certificates 1-9 and these units include:

  • Perform welds to code standards using flux core arc welding process
  • Perform welds to code standards using gas metal arc welding process
  • Perform welds to code standards using gas tungsten arc welding process
  • Perform pipe welds to code standards using manual metal arc welding process
  • Perform welds to code standards using manual metal arc welding process.

Apply Welding Principles has been developed for Engineering Tradespersons - Fabrication in either apprenticeship or post trade training and the recognition of trade level knowledge of welding principles.


This is the theory examination for Apply Welding Principles (Welders Certification Theory)

The nominal duration is 3 hours

The pass mark is 65%

The purpose of this unit is to interpret and apply codes and specifications used in the supervision of welding structural steel in accordance with the current AS 2214. Competencies in this unit is based on wide knowledge of welding processes, procedure and metallurgy, as well as application of appropriate codes & standards. The unit covers the underpinning knowledge of materials and consumables, heat treatments, qualification or welding procedure and welders, requirements for weld preparation, manufacturing, supervision and inspection and quality control.

Minimum Certification Prerequisites:

    • Literacy/Language
    • Maths (Including algebra)

Plus, candidates must meet at least one of these prerequisites:

1) Three years approved practical experience in the fabrication engineering industry, and successful completion of an approved course that includes:

    • Welding process technology
    • Welding metallurgy
    • Weld testing and inspection; and
    • Standards and specifications – steel structures

OR 2) Three years approved experience in the supervision or inspection of welding.

OR 3) Equivalent to the above as assessed by the AWI

The purpose of this unit is to interpret and apply codes and specifications used in the supervision of welding pressure equipment in accordance with the current AS 1796. Competencies in this unit is based on wide knowledge of welding processes, procedure and metallurgy, as well as application of appropriate codes & standards. The unit covers the underpinning knowledge of materials and consumables, heat treatments, qualification or welding procedure and welders, requirements for weld preparation, manufacturing, supervision and inspection and quality control.

Minimum Certification Prerequisites:

    • Literacy/Language
    • Maths (Including algebra)

Plus, candidates must meet at least one of these prerequisites:

1) Three years approved practical experience in the fabrication engineering industry, and successful completion of an approved course that includes:

    • Welding process technology
    • Welding metallurgy
    • Weld testing and inspection; and
    • Standards and specifications – pressure equipment

OR 2) Three years approved experience in the supervision or inspection of welding.

OR 3) Equivalent to the above as assessed by the AWI

This unit covers instructing and qualifying welders in accordance with weld procedures, and maintaining quality and safety procedures.

Competencies in this unit are based on wide knowledge of welding science, processes, procedures and technical requirements. Individuals working in this field would hold at least one certificate satisfying the requirements of Australian Standard 1796 Certificate 1-9.

The supervision, training and qualification of welders in welding procedures are defined by recognised codes and standards e.g. Australian Standard 1796 Certificate 10.

Minimum Certification Prerequisites:

    • Literacy/Language
    • Maths (Including algebra)

Plus, candidates must meet at least one of these prerequisites:

1) A trade ie. certificate 3 in fabrication engineering + A  welder's  certificate  complying  with  AS  1796,  evidence  of  attending  or having  attended  a  course  of  instruction  for welding supervisors and not less than one year's experience in the welding of pressure equipment as defined in AS/NZS 1200 subsequent to gaining the welder's certificate. The course of instruction, predominantly theoretical in scope, shall be of at least 120 hours’ duration including:

    • Welding process technology
    • Welding metallurgy
    • Weld testing and inspection; and
    • Standards and specifications – Pressure equipment

OR 2)  A trade ie. certificate 3 in fabrication engineering + A welder's certificate complying with AS 1796 and at least two years' experience in the welding of pressure equipment as defined in AS/NZS 1200 subsequent to gaining that certification.

OR 3) Equivalent to the above as assessed by the AWi

Perform Engineering Measurements covers straightforward measurement using devices which incorporate visual indications representing units of measurement. Perform Engineering Measurements applies to the use of measuring devices used in welding inspection and related environments.

This unit covers range of measuring devices, routine adjustments, calibration, storage and handling, and basic calculations.

Perform Engineering Measurements is a prerequisite for Welding Inspection MEM05025C