RPL for Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade
Already working as a fabricator, welder, boilermaker or sheetmetal worker in metal, engineering or manufacturing industries? Turn your hands-on trade experience into the nationally recognised MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade without going back to study full time.
What Is RPL for the Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an Australian Government-endorsed assessment pathway that allows experienced tradespeople to have their existing skills, knowledge and workplace experience formally assessed against the units of a nationally recognised qualification without completing full classroom-based study.
If you have been working in metal fabrication, structural steel erection, welding, boilermaking, sheetmetal work, blacksmithing or surface finishing in metal, engineering, manufacturing or associated industries, you may already meet the competency requirements for the MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade. The qualification itself states it must be undertaken through a Training Contract or through formal trade recognition assessment processes - which is exactly what RPL is.
The MEM31925 is an AQF Level 3 qualification under the MEM Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package. It is the nationally recognised trade qualification for engineering fabrication tradespeople across Australia. It supersedes the previous MEM31922 qualification and was first released 4 September 2025.
About the MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade
Qualification Level
AQF Level 3 - Certificate III. The nationally recognised trade qualification for engineering fabrication tradespeople in Australia. Release 1, first released 4 September 2025. Supersedes MEM31922.
Units of Competency
96 points total. Core units totalling 33 points, plus elective units to a minimum of 40 points from specialist groups A to G, plus up to 23 points from Group H. Electives are selected to match your trade specialisation.
Industry Settings
Metal fabrication, structural steel, welding, boilermaking, sheetmetal, blacksmithing and surface finishing across manufacturing, construction, mining, oil and gas, defence and engineering industries throughout Australia.
Career Pathway
Pathway to trade licensing, self-employment and progression to advanced engineering, fabrication supervision and engineering management roles. Foundation for MEM40422 Certificate IV in Engineering and higher MEM qualifications.
Core Units and Specialist Streams Assessed in RPL
Core units cover foundational engineering fabrication skills applied across all specialisations. Elective units are selected from your specialist stream:
- ✔ MSMENV272 - Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
- ✔ MSMSUP102 - Communicate in the workplace
- ✔ MSMSUP106 - Work in a team
- ✔ MSMSUP390 - Use structured problem-solving tools
- ✔ MEM12023 - Perform engineering measurements
- ✔ MEM13015 - Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
- ✔ MEM16006 - Organise and communicate information
- ✔ Group A: General Fabrication electives - metal fabrication and structural steel
- ✔ Group B: Boilermaking electives - pressure vessels, boilers and industrial fabrication
- ✔ Group C: Welding electives - MIG, TIG, MMA and other welding processes
- ✔ Group D: Boilermaking and Welding combined electives
- ✔ Group E: Sheetmetal Working electives - forming, cutting and sheetmetal fabrication
- ✔ Group F: Blacksmithing electives - forging, heat treatment and blacksmithing processes
- ✔ Group G: Surface Finishing electives - abrasive blasting, coating and surface preparation
Official Qualification Reference
MEM31925 is published on the National Training Register as the current Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade. Release 1, first released 4 September 2025. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEM31922.
View MEM31925 on training.gov.auTrade Recognition Assessment
The MEM31925 qualification explicitly states it must be undertaken through a Training Contract or through formal trade recognition assessment processes. RPL is the formal trade recognition pathway for experienced fabrication tradespeople who have not completed a formal apprenticeship in Australia. This makes MEM31925 one of the most RPL-appropriate engineering trade qualifications available.
Career Outcomes and Salary with MEM31925
The Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade supports trade licensing, self-employment and progression to specialist engineering and manufacturing roles across Australia.
Engineering Fabricator
$75,000 - $105,000
Per year. Performing metal fabrication, structural steel erection and general engineering fabrication work. MEM31925 is the recognised trade qualification for fabrication tradespeople and is required for trade classification and award rates across manufacturing, construction and resources industries in Australia.
Boilermaker or Welder
$85,000 - $130,000
Per year. Specialising in pressure vessel fabrication, boilermaking or structural welding. High demand across mining, oil and gas, power generation and heavy industry in Australia. MEM31925 with Boilermaking or Welding specialisation supports trade classification and FIFO roles.
Fabrication Contractor
$100,000 - $160,000
Per year. Operating as a self-employed fabrication contractor or subcontractor. MEM31925 is the foundation qualification for running your own engineering fabrication business and is required for contractor classification and tendering on government and major projects across Australia.
Salary ranges are indicative for Australia 2026. Actual remuneration varies by state, employer, sector, specialisation and level of experience.
Who Can Apply for RPL - MEM31925?
RPL for the Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade is suitable for experienced tradespeople who already perform fabrication work in their day-to-day role but do not yet hold the formal MEM31925 qualification.
- ✅ Metal fabricators with 2 or more years of hands-on experience in structural steel or general metal fabrication
- ✅ Boilermakers with experience fabricating pressure vessels, tanks, boilers and industrial structures
- ✅ Welders with experience in MIG, TIG, MMA or other welding processes in fabrication environments
- ✅ Sheetmetal workers with experience in sheetmetal forming, cutting, folding and fabrication
- ✅ Structural steel workers with experience erecting and fabricating structural steel for construction projects
- ✅ Blacksmiths with experience in forging, heat treatment and traditional blacksmithing processes
- ✅ Surface finishing tradespeople with experience in abrasive blasting, coating and surface preparation
- ✅ Overseas tradespeople with fabrication or welding trade experience seeking Australian trade recognition
Minimum Experience Requirement
To be eligible for RPL toward MEM31925, you should have a minimum of 2 to 3 years of practical experience in engineering fabrication work covering your specialist area. Your experience must demonstrate competency across the core engineering fabrication units and your chosen specialist stream.
Right Pathway will assess your trade background during your free eligibility check and advise you honestly on whether RPL is the right pathway for you.
Holding the old MEM31922?
MEM31925 supersedes MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade. If you hold MEM31922 or an older equivalent, it may still be accepted by some employers and licensing authorities. Right Pathway can advise on whether your existing qualification meets current requirements in your industry and state. Check your eligibility here.
What Evidence Do You Need?
RPL is evidence-based. You need to demonstrate you already have the skills. Here is what typically counts as valid evidence for MEM31925:
- ✔ Employment records - payslips, contracts or letters confirming your fabrication trade role and duration
- ✔ Photos of completed work - dated photos showing fabricated structures, welds, vessels or components you have produced
- ✔ Engineering drawings and work orders - drawings, sketches or work orders from fabrication projects you have completed
- ✔ Welding certificates and tickets - any welding procedure qualifications, weld test certificates or welding tickets you hold
- ✔ Trade licences and tickets - boilermaker licence, pressure equipment licence, working at heights, confined space or other relevant trade tickets
- ✔ Subcontractor invoices - ABN invoices or purchase orders if you have worked as a fabrication subcontractor
- ✔ Referee letters - from site supervisors, engineers or project managers confirming your fabrication skills and work history
- ✔ Material and consumable records - delivery dockets or purchase records for steel, consumables and fabrication materials
- ✔ Prior qualifications - overseas trade certificates, partial Australian engineering qualifications or apprenticeship records
What evidence do most fabricators already have?
Most working fabricators and welders already have strong evidence from their trade work. You do not need to create anything new - just gather and organise what you already have.
- Payslips or employment records confirming your fabrication role
- Photos of fabricated structures, welds or components you have produced
- Welding certificates or trade tickets you hold
- A reference letter from your supervisor or engineer
- Subcontractor invoices if you work for yourself
Right Pathway helps you identify, organise and present your evidence in the format RTO assessors require for MEM31925.
Overseas Trade Experience
If you have worked as a fabricator, welder or boilermaker overseas, your international trade experience can contribute to your RPL evidence portfolio for MEM31925. Right Pathway has supported tradespeople from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe and across Asia in achieving Australian engineering trade qualifications through RPL. Check your eligibility here.
How the RPL Process Works
Three clear steps - from enquiry to qualification.
Free Eligibility Check
Complete our free online eligibility assessment. We review your fabrication trade history, your specialist area and years of experience against the MEM31925 unit requirements and tell you honestly if RPL is the right pathway for you.
Build Your Evidence Portfolio
Right Pathway guides you through gathering and organising your trade evidence. We provide templates, checklists and one-on-one support to ensure your portfolio meets the RTO assessor requirements for all core units and your chosen specialist stream electives of MEM31925.
Assessment and Certification
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor from our partnered RTO in a functioning workplace environment as required by the qualification. Once competency is confirmed, you receive your official MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade - the nationally recognised trade qualification accepted across Australia's engineering, manufacturing and resources industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about RPL for MEM31925.
Ready to Get Your Engineering Fabrication Trade Qualification?
Your fabrication trade experience is valuable. Let Right Pathway help you turn it into the nationally recognised MEM31925 trade qualification you need for trade classification, licensing and career progression.