RPL Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade

Last Updated on April 22, 2025 by Ozlinks Education

If you have been employed as a metal fabricator or welder in the building construction industry but have not yet attained your qualification for any reason, you’ve come to the right place. The RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) program is a way to convert your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade from one of our Registered Training Organisation partners.

Let’s get your skills certified!

Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Overview

The MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade is tailored for individuals aiming to pursue a career in the welding engineering sector in Australia. A metal fabricator and welder are tasked with marking out and fabricating structural steel and other metal materials to create, assemble, or repair metal products, pipes, and structures, including boilers and pressure vessels. It is advisable to consider obtaining this certificate, as it signifies one of the essential trade qualifications required for roles as a metal fabricator in the building and construction industry.

Job title: 

  • Metal Fabricator
  • Boilermaker
  • Welder

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Find out if you qualify for this certificate

Why do I need the Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication?

If you have been working as a metal fabricator in the manufacturing and construction mining industry but have not yet obtained your qualification for any reason, pursuing an RPL program for this certification will significantly enhance your opportunities in the manufacturing and construction sector. It will also provide you with the necessary credentials to become a qualified metal fabricator, boosting your confidence and credibility with clients and employers alike.

International students and migrants may need this certificate for their migration skills assessment if they plan to apply for a skilled visa as metal fabricators. This certificate serves as evidence of their qualifications and experience in the field, ensuring they meet the necessary standards established by the relevant assessing authorities.

Ozlinks Education can assist you in transforming your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program with one of our Registered Training Organisation partners. Our expert team will assess your individual circumstances and provide tailored support to ensure that you achieve the qualifications necessary to advance your career.

Skills assessment for migration

rpl certificate iii in engineering fabrication
rpl certificate iii in engineering fabrication

What does a metal fabricator do?

A metal fabricator marks off and fabricates structural steel and other metal stock to make, assemble or repair metal products, pipes and structures, such as boilers and pressure vessels.

Their job involves:

  • Studies blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine fabrication job requirements
  • Measures and marks out the size, shape and location of cutouts and joints on metal stock
  • Uses specialised tools to cut, bend or shape metal into the desired structure or product
  • Joins metal sections together by welding, bolting and riveting
  • Examines welds for width of bead, penetration and precision, and performs necessary repairs or reworks
  • Cleans and smooths welds by filing, chiselling and grinding
  • May program machinery or computer-aided fabrication tools to optimise the metal fabrication process

Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical

What is Recognition of Prior Learning?

The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), which is governed by the Australian Government’s Department of Education in consultation with the states and territories, gives all students the right to have their prior education, relevant work experience, and training acknowledged to facilitate their advancement towards and between qualifications. Every registered training organisation (RTO) has its own policies and procedures for determining your RPL eligibility, but the fundamentals are the same. The experience and skills you’ve gained through your work can help you complete a qualification faster and reduce the time commitment of taking a course to get you closer to your dream job.

The advantages of using RPL program

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program offer numerous benefits, including time and cost savings by validating existing skills and experience, expedited qualification achievement, and improved employment prospects. RPL program helps you:

  • There is no need to relearn what you already know.
  • It saves both your time and tuition fees.
  • Assist you in achieving your career change objectives in Australia.
  • Gaining an Australian qualification requires less time.
  • You do not need to attend classes or redo the training you have already completed.
  • Open new career opportunities in the building industry.
  • Obtain a qualification to satisfy the visa or skills assessment requirements.

Evidence requirements

Below is the general list of documents that you are required to provide to support your RPL assessment application:

  • 100 points of identification documents (ID)
  • A current resume outlines your relevant employment history
  • Student USI number
  • Australian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary visa holder with a full-time working right.
  • A white card or any other relevant license
  • Must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience full-time in Australia in an electrician technician and work under the supervision of an electrician registered license.
  • Employment evidence, including an employment reference letter, employment contract, payslips, income statement, and superannuation.
  • Workplace photos and videos that showcase you performing your tasks in accordance with the job duties outlined above demonstrate your competency in the relevant qualification.

 

Note: Additional gap training may be necessary to address any areas for improvement and to ensure a positive assessment outcome. An RTO assessor might conduct a competency interview with you to identify any existing training gaps.

General Skilled Migration

The RPL process is done in 3 simple steps.

The RPL process consists of three stages and typically takes between six and eight weeks to complete from the time an applicant applies to an RPL assessment institute. During this period, applicants gather evidence of their skills and experiences, which is then evaluated against the relevant qualifications. This thorough process ensures that the recognition of prior learning accurately reflects the applicant's capabilities and knowledge.

Register / Enrolment

Step 1: During the enrolment stage, you will have to demonstrate your skill level in relation to your chosen qualification by completing a self-assessment related to the required skills and knowledge to determine the relevance of the RPL pathway.

Assessment/ Evidence Review

Step 2: The RPL assessor will give you tests in the subjects of your applied qualification to find out what skills you have and match them to the skills needed to work in the industry and for the qualification you have chosen.

You will need to provide proof of the necessary documents, photos, and videos to show that you know how each subject in your qualification.

Result

Step 3: If you meet all units of competency under the qualification, you will be issued with a Certificate and Statement of Results.

Register / Enrolment

Step 1: During the enrolment stage, you will have to demonstrate your skill level in relation to your chosen qualification by completing a self-assessment related to the required skills and knowledge to determine the relevance of the RPL pathway.

Assessment/ Evidence Review

Step 2: The RPL assessor will give you tests in the subjects of your applied qualification to find out what skills you have and match them to the skills needed to work in the industry and for the qualification you have chosen.

You will need to provide proof of the necessary documents, photos, and videos to show that you know how each subject in your qualification.

Result

Step 3: If you meet all units of competency under the qualification, you will be issued with a Certificate and Statement of Results.

What RPL qualification are you looking for?

To enhance your chances of securing a well-paying job in the Australian market, consider assessing your skills and work experience, as well as obtaining formal recognition of your qualifications. If you are a skilled welder, electrician, fabricator, or mechanical technician, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Choose a qualification that best aligns with your needs and circumstances from the list provided below.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of questions that our customers often ask us. If you need more information, don't hesitate to contact Ozlinks Education now.

Why should you consider RPL?

The RPL is generally a faster way to an Australian qualification than completing a formal training course because it recognizes your previous work experience.

Yes. The RPL evaluation process is just as thorough as any other evaluation. But the evidence you need to show may be different from what is usually asked in a class assessment.

When the criteria for each of the subjects are met, a degree may be partially or fully accredited. For example, only completed subjects can be counted towards the qualification.

Even if your credits aren't enough to qualify, you can still receive written certification of the courses you've completed.

This will depend on the complexity of your qualification, how many subjects you apply for and how long it takes you to gather proof of work experience, collate and submit proof. Usually, the RPL process is 6 to 8 weeks from the date of application to the RPL assessment institute and also depends on your industry and qualifications.