FAQ

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General

1. What is the Australian Welder Certification Register (AWCR)?

  • Allows qualified and certified Registered Welders(RW) to be able to work on any site without further testing resulting in a significant cost saving to industry.
  • Provides industry with access to a database of welders with up to date certification and details of their career history.
  • Generates data for a skills gap analysis which will allow the development of a detailed suite of training initiatives to upskill the workforce.
  • Runs on the WeldQ platform; a fully internet enabled cloud based system with a supporting mobile app.

Italy has a very successful ISO 9606-1 database system in operation. There are also other similar systems operating in other countries. However, the AWCR will be the most advanced system of its kind in the world.

Certification under AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 is recognised in Australian, European and North American standards, increasing the opportunity for Registered Welders to work for international companies both in Australia and overseas.

In your app store of choice, simply search for ‘Weld Australia Australian Welder Certification Register’.

Process

1. How do I become a Registered Welder?

You first need to register then apply for a weld test through the WeldQ system. You will then be referred to an Approved Testing Centre where an Approved Examiner will conduct a weld test, as per AS/NZS ISO 9606-1. Once qualified, test details are entered onto the WeldQ system by the Approved Examiner. For more information see How to Register

Certification is valid for up to 2 years’ subject to 6 monthly confirmations by a responsible person (Supervisor or Approved Examiner). At the end of the 2 year period certification must be re-validated by an Approved Examiner. For more information, see How it Works

It takes about 10-20 minutes to assess a fully documented WPQR for code compliance. Weld Australia aims to provide same day turnaround as we understand that time is of the essence.

All practical work on the AWCR will be carried out by Weld Australia Members..

Costs and Payments

1. What is the registration cost?

See Welder Fee Structure

Members: $50 per weld test
Non-members: $70 per weld test

The cost of a weld test will vary depending on the Weld Procedure and Testing Centre. Weld tests will be charged directly by the Examiner or Test Centre

Fees for practical weld tests and inspecting and approving testing centres are set and directly charged by Approved Examiners.

You certainly can. Contact Weld Australia direct to arrange this – see Company Workforce Qualification & Certification

Testing Centres and Approved Examiners

1. What requirements are there around Testing Centres?

Any welding facility may become a Testing Centre, provided that they fulfil specific requirements. These requirements include completing an application form, passing a desktop audit, and inspection by an Approved Examiner. For more information, visit Establish a Testing Centre

Testing Centres are located throughout Australia, and include a number of TAFEs, Registered Training Organisations, and welding workshops. Testing Centres are shown in the WeldQ system and Testing Centres

Approved Examiners must satisfactorily complete a Weld Australia AE self assessment and meet strict requirements: Become an Approved Examiner

Confirmation and Re-validation

1. Who is responsible for the 6-monthly confirmation and the re-validation of Registered Welders?

It is the responsibility of the Registered Welder to ensure that 6-monthly confirmation and re-validation of registration every two years is completed. Failure to do so may result in the Registered Welder being removed from the AWCR. A responsible person (Supervisor or Approved Examiner) can perform confirmation and re-validation.

Contact Weld Australia for assistance.

No, qualifications remain valid and are not employer specific. Your previous employer, your new employer, or an Approved Examiner familiar with your work can confirm your qualifications.

All your information, including qualifications and certifications, is easily accessible via the WeldQ system. All you need to do is login to the system and click Awards in the Main Menu.

Job Seeking

1. How will the AWCR help me find a job?

In the Profile section of the AWCR applicants are required to enter in details of their qualification, work experience and professional development. This information is available to all registered Premium Corporate Members who are able to search the register for candidates with the qualifications and experience they are looking for. It is therefore in the interest of all Registered Welders to put as much detail as they can on this section of the register in order to maximise their opportunity of gaining new employment opportunities.

Standards

1. Why AS/NZS ISO 9606-1? What about AS/NZS 2980?

The register is designed using AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 as the template because its methodologies for welder qualification are common to many welder test methods. AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 also allows other standards to be used to assess the welder against when requested. AS/NZS 2980 will be included as an option within the register once the AWCR is operational with test methodologies being mostly common to both standards. In the interim, AS/NZS 2980 test acceptance criteria can be utilised in conjunction with AS/NZS ISO 9606-1.

ISO 9606-1 references ISO testing standards. However, the AS 2205 series may be substituted as the test methods are identical or produce identical outcomes. The primary difference is that ISO standards may reference a number of test methods, whereas AS 2205 separates each test method into a separate part or sub part of the series.

AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 requires that the RT and/or UT test method used corresponds to the acceptance criteria being used. For example, if the acceptance criteria is AS/NZS 2980, then the method and acceptance requirements to be used are as specified within AS/NZS 2980. ISO methods apply when alternative acceptance criteria are not specified (the default position).

AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 requires that the welder follows a qualified weld procedure. If a draft procedure is used, the procedure must be qualified at the same time as the welder (additional tests beyond those specified within AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 may be required). The default qualification standard is ISO 15609 1. However, if alternative acceptance criteria is specified (as provided for in Clause 7 of AS/NZS ISO 9606-1), then the WPS must be qualified and comply with the specified alternative requirements.

AS 3992 and ASME IX both recognise AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 qualified welders and additional welder qualification tests are not generally required. For AS2885.2 qualifications, this has not yet been considered but welders could certainly be assessed to AS 2885.2 requirements if required as part of AS/NZS ISO 9606-1. Regarding AWS D1.1, current AS/NZS 2980 acceptance is consistent with AWS D1.1 and this option is to be included within proposed AS/NZS ISO 9606-1.

Yes, 150mm is the minimum required.

No. Certification and testing to AS 1796 remains unchanged. Although, there may be an opportunity for welders wishing to gain AS 1796 certification through their local TAFE or private provider to gain AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 or AS/NZS 2980 qualifications at the same time. Provision will be included within the register for AS1796 welder certification requirements.

Yes. Incompletely documented WPS documents will be treated as ‘draft’ and may need to undergo additional qualification tests as part of the welder qualification process.

Welders can qualify to their own WPS, an employer’s WPS, or Weld Australia’s WPS.

Yes, but the WPS documentation must be appropriately qualified and be verifiable by an Approved Examiner.

Terminology

1. Shouldn’t the Certification Register actually be called the Qualification Register? Isn’t certification only applicable to AS1796 certified welders (for which Weld Australia already has a register)?

We provide a qualification test to certificate to the welder. Weld Australia’s AS1796 certification process will continue to operate and will be included within the AWCR.