Boilermakers · Welders · Sheet Metal Workers
Already welding, cutting and fabricating on the job? RPL engineering turns that experience into a nationally recognised Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, assessed by an ASQA-registered RTO — no apprenticeship and no time off work.
RPL Engineering Explained
RPL engineering (Recognition of Prior Learning) lets experienced metal tradespeople get a formal engineering trade qualification based on the work they already do. Instead of a 3–4 year apprenticeship, you show evidence of your welding, cutting and fabrication skills, and a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) checks it against the national units of competency.
If you meet the standard, the RTO issues the same Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade an apprentice boilermaker or welder receives. It is recognised in every state and territory and by employers in mining, construction, manufacturing and maintenance.
The Qualification
Certificate III · AQF Level 3
Code: MEM30219 – RTO No: 41429
The trade qualification for engineering tradespeople in fabrication. It covers heavy fabrication (boilermaking and welding) and light fabrication (sheet metal working), depending on the units that match your experience.
Who It's For
If you already do fabrication work but don’t hold the trade certificate, RPL is built for you.
Heavy plate, structural steel, pressure vessels and pipework.
MIG, TIG and stick welders in workshops, mines and on site.
Ducting, enclosures, flashings and light fabrication.
Fabrication experience from overseas that needs Australian recognition.
How It Works
We handle the paperwork and coordination. The RTO handles the assessment.
01
Tell us your fabrication work and experience. We confirm the right specialisation.
02
We guide you on weld photos, drawings, tickets and references that prove your skills.
03
A qualified assessor reviews your evidence and may hold a practical or competency interview.
04
The RTO issues your Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade and transcript.
Evidence Checklist
Most applicants combine 4–6 of these. We’ll tell you exactly what works for your situation.
Career & Visa Pathways
A Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade is the recognised trade qualification for boilermakers, welders and sheet metal workers. It can help you:
KMH does not provide migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent about skills assessments and visas.
Who Assesses You
KMH is an RPL consultancy, not an RTO. We prepare and manage your application; a registered training organisation assesses it and issues your qualification. These are some of the partner RTOs our clients are certified through:
Verify this partner RTO on training.gov.au →
Verify this partner RTO on training.gov.au →
Verify this partner RTO on training.gov.au →
KMH Training & Consultancy Australia is not a Registered Training Organisation. Qualifications are assessed and issued by our partner RTOs.
Cost & Timeframe
Trade and engineering RPL needs practical evidence, so it is priced a little above paperwork-based qualifications. As a guide, a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade through RPL typically costs:
$3,200 – $3,800
Your exact, fixed quote is confirmed in your free eligibility check — no hidden fees. Most applicants finish within a few weeks once their evidence is ready. Read more about RPL cost and how long RPL takes.
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Free, no-obligation eligibility check — we reply within 1 business day.
FAQ
RPL engineering is the Recognition of Prior Learning process for engineering trades. An ASQA-registered RTO assesses your existing welding, cutting and fabrication skills against the national units of competency and, if you meet the standard, issues a nationally recognised qualification such as the Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade.
We help experienced workers obtain the Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (MEM31925, which replaced MEM31922). It covers boilermaking/welding and sheet metal working.
Most successful applicants have around 3 or more years of hands-on fabrication or welding work. The exact requirement depends on the RTO and the evidence you can provide, which we confirm in your free eligibility check.
As a guide, a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade through RPL typically costs $3,200–$3,800. You get a fixed quote after your free eligibility check.
Common evidence includes photos and videos of your welds and fabrication jobs, drawings or job cards, welding tickets or test certificates, employer references, payslips or ABN records and safety tickets. We help you build the strongest combination.
Yes. The Certificate III issued through RPL is the same nationally recognised AQF qualification an apprentice receives. It does not state that it was achieved through RPL.
No. RPL engineering leads to a trade qualification for fabrication tradespeople. Professional engineers seeking recognition as an engineer go through Engineers Australia, which is a separate process.
An ASQA-registered RTO assesses your evidence and issues your qualification. KMH is a consultancy, not an RTO — we manage your application and connect you with the right partner RTO, such as RTO 40055, 45254 or 41138.
Yes. We help fabrication tradespeople across Australia, including NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT. Most of the process is completed online and over the phone.
Free Eligibility Check
Tell us about your welding and fabrication work. A KMH consultant will call you back with your eligibility, a fixed quote and an evidence plan — free and with no obligation.