Role Snapshot

ANZSCO Code: 322111 — Boilermaker
Role Variants: Boilermaker-Welder, Structural Steel Fabricator, Pressure Vessel Fabricator, Plate Worker, Pipe Fabricator
Parent Category: NZ Construction & Engineering Roles
Skill Level: 3
Green List: Not listed — this role does not appear on the NZ Green List
National Occupation List (NOL): Yes — eligible for AEWV with an accredited employer job offer; trades roles are in active shortage across NZ

🇦🇺Also available for AustraliaBoilermaker Roles in AustraliaTRA · CSOL eligible→

Boilermakers in New Zealand fabricate, assemble, and maintain structural steel, pressure vessels, tanks, and pipework across the construction, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure sectors. Work typically involves:

• Fabricating and assembling steel structures from engineering drawings
• Welding (MIG, TIG, MMA, FCAW) to structural and pressure vessel standards
• Cutting, bending, rolling, and forming steel plate and sections
• Inspection and repair of existing pressure vessels, boilers, and tanks
• Working to AS/NZS welding standards and site safety requirements
• Compliance with WorkSafe NZ and Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) requirements

Typical employers: Heavy engineering workshops, construction contractors, structural steel fabricators, infrastructure project companies, process plants (dairy, food processing, petrochemical), power generation facilities, and manufacturing companies across NZ.

Salary Benchmark

Typical Range: $65,000 – $120,000+ NZD per year, depending on experience, employer, and region.

• Entry level / early career: $55,000–$70,000
• Mid-career (4–9 years): $70,000–$90,000
• Experienced / senior: $90,000–$120,000+

Source: SEEK NZ — Boilermaker Salary | SalaryExpert NZ | Data reviewed May 2026 | Data reviewed May 2026

Cost of living: Purchasing power varies significantly by region. For an independent comparison, see Numbeo — New Zealand. TEFI provides clients with a detailed financial planning workbook to model living costs by city and lifestyle during the migration process — ask Tate for a copy.

Where Demand Is Strongest

Boilermaker demand in NZ is distributed across industrial and construction centres:

• Auckland — largest manufacturing and heavy engineering market; structural steel for construction and infrastructure
• Waikato / Hamilton — agri-engineering, dairy equipment manufacturing, and infrastructure
• Taranaki (New Plymouth) — oil and gas infrastructure; pressure vessel and pipework fabrication
• Canterbury / Christchurch — construction-related fabrication; ongoing infrastructure rebuild demand
• Southland / Invercargill — aluminium smelting (NZAS), heavy industry, and rural engineering

Licensing & Professional Registration

Mandatory licence: No specific government licence required to work as a boilermaker in NZ. However, weld qualification testing to AS/NZS standards is effectively required by most employers for structural and pressure vessel work.

Trade qualification and skills recognition:

• Competenz — the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) responsible for engineering and manufacturing trades in NZ. Overseas trade qualifications can be assessed for recognition or equivalence. Contact Competenz before arriving to understand your pathway
• NZQA assessment: NZQA assesses overseas qualifications against NZ standards. For trade-level qualifications, this is separate from the Competenz skills assessment
• Weld testing: Many employers require a weld test on first engagement. Bring documentation of any weld procedure qualifications (AWS D1.1, ASME IX, ISO 9606) you hold

WorkSafe NZ requirements: All site workers must hold a valid Site Safe or equivalent site safety card for construction environments. This is straightforward to obtain on arrival in NZ.

Immigration Pathway

Licensing required to work: No mandatory government licence, but trade qualification recognition and weld testing are expected. ANZSCO 322111 is a Skill Level 3 occupation.

Visa options:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — primary pathway. Requires a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer. Boilermaker is a recognised shortage trade; employers actively sponsor offshore candidates.
  
  Immigration New Zealand — Work Visas
• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa — points-based pathway to residence. Skill Level 3 trade roles qualify. A NZ job offer strengthens the application.
  
  Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

For most of our clients, the job offer sets into motion a clear migration process touching upon immigration compliance, timing, city selection, quality of life, and professional opportunities — the offer is the trigger for all of it.

Important: TEFI does not provide immigration advice. Visa eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, qualifications, and current INZ policy. We recommend working with a licensed New Zealand immigration adviser for guidance specific to your situation. We refer clients to New Zealand Shores — contact Fabien Maisonneuve directly at Fabien@newzealandshores.com and mention Tate sent you.

Migrant Readiness Signals

NZ employers look for boilermaker candidates who demonstrate:

• Weld process range: The wider your weld process experience (MIG/MAG, TIG, MMA, FCAW), the more versatile and employable you are. Document each process and the material types you have worked with
• Standards knowledge: Familiarity with AS/NZS 1665, AS/NZS 3992, or ASME pressure vessel standards. Even if your experience is in other standards (AWS, EN), show that you understand the underlying principles
• Reading engineering drawings: NZ employers expect boilermakers to work independently from detailed drawings. Be ready to demonstrate this in a practical test
• Site safety mindset: Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) compliance is not optional in NZ. Demonstrate that you operate with a genuine safety-first approach, not just compliance on paper
• Portfolio of past work: Photos of completed fabrications, pressure vessels, or structural work alongside your weld qualifications make a significant difference in how you stand out
• References from Workshop Managers or Site Engineers: Trade-level references from direct supervisors carry significant weight

Where to Find Roles

• SEEK NZ — search: “Boilermaker New Zealand” or “Structural Steel Fabricator NZ”
• TradeMe Jobs — search: “Boilermaker” or “Welder-Fabricator”
• LinkedIn — connect with NZ heavy engineering companies and construction contractors directly
• Trade recruiters: Tradestaff, Extrastaff, Taylored Recruitment, Randstad NZ — all place boilermakers and welding tradespeople in NZ roles
• Direct to employer: Identify heavy engineering workshops and steel fabricators in your target region and contact them directly with your weld qualifications and portfolio

A note on cold applications: In New Zealand, many roles are filled through referral, recruiter relationships, or candidates already known to the employer — a cold application rarely lands. To be the exception, you need an exceptional profile and direct employer contact. If you are not sure how your background will read to a NZ employer, upload your CV for no-cost, practical feedback on how your background reads to NZ employers — Tate typically responds within one business day.