Find the Best Boilermakers Near You

Boilermakers are tradespeople who create and maintain boilers. Boilers are used for heating water or other fluids under high pressure to generate electric power and provide heat. Various buildings, factories and ships using large boilers, tanks and vats. In these containers, the chemicals, beer, oil and other products are stored and processed. Boilers are usually made out of steel, stainless steel, copper or iron. Manufacturers have also increasingly automated the production of boilers to improve its quality. Boilermaker welders are responsible for not only making boilers but also repairing them.

Boilermaker work includes helping erect and repair blast furnaces, air pollution equipment, water treatment plants, smokestacks, and storage and process tanks. They also install heat-resistant materials in fireboxes or pressure vessels such as refractory bricks and more. Even the installation and maintenance of huge pipes used in dams in sending water to and from hydroelectric power generation turbines are the responsibility of boilermaker welders.

Boilermaker work involves boilers. These boilers are found in buildings, factories and ships and are used to heat liquids under high pressure to create energy. While welders can be found in various industries since the welding of metal parts has many applications such as manufacturing goods. In order to easily determine the difference between a boilermaker and a welder, here is a list of their responsibilities:

Boilermaker -

• Analysing blueprints
• Installing boilers
• Evaluating the performance of boiler systems
• Repairing boilers

Welder -

• Using electricity to generate heat
• Following safety processes for dealing with materials at high temperatures
• Inspecting welding materials
• Preventing overheating during welding

A boilermaker must have theoretical and practical training. You must work toward a certificate or degree in engineering, specifically 'fabrication trade'. Most courses will involve an apprenticeship to help you become a qualified boilermaker. It will take you around three to four years to become a qualified boilermaker.

Skills you'll need to learn to become a boilermaker include forging, structural steel erection, founding, electroplating, metal polishing, sheet metal work, metal fabrication, metal spinning, welding and using related computer-controlled equipment.

Here are a few other skills and experience that a boilermaker must have:

• Welding
• Working at heights
• Heavy fabrication
• Structural steel
• Boilermaking
• High-risk work licence
• Forklift licence

For those seeking professional boilermaking services in Australia, iseekplant provides a comprehensive platform to connect with experienced and reputable boilermakers nationwide. Our platform of skilled service providers and heavy machinery suppliers simplifies finding skilled tradespeople based on location, service and machines offered, and project requirements.

iseekplant has a nationwide network of boilermaker suppliers operating in all capital cities from Brisbane to Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne to Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. You can also find boilermakers in all major towns and cities across Australia from Cairns down to Townsville, Mackay, Toowoomba, Newcastle and Bendigo.

With iseekplant, you can easily compare different service providers, read reviews and get quotes, ensuring you find the best match for your needs. Our network is an invaluable tool for accessing a wide network of boilermaking professionals dedicated to quality craftsmanship and service. We try our hardest to ensure a range of suppliers in your area no matter where you're located across the country. Just let us know what you need, and we'll get you in touch with your closest supplier.

Do a simple search on iseekplant today to find what you're looking for or let us do all the hard work for you! Use our Get a Quote tool and fill out what you're looking for and we'll send your request to your nearest suppliers and have them contact you with their best rates! Find a boilermaker with iseekplant today by giving us a call on 1300 691 912 or email projects@iseekplant.com.au.

The term 'boilermaker' comes from the craft's early association with boiling vessels and steam boilers used primarily during the Industrial Revolution. Initially, boilermakers were craftsmen who produced steel fabrications from plates and sections, which were then used to assemble steam boilers. Over time, the role expanded to include the construction, installation, and repair of boilers and other large vessels that contain liquids or gases.

The name has endured because of the historical significance and the continued importance of these skills in modern industrial and manufacturing processes. Boilermakers now work on various projects beyond boilers, including storage tanks and pressure vessels, reflecting the evolution of the trade from its original focus.

In Australia, boilermakers are indeed in high demand, especially in sectors like construction, mining and manufacturing. This demand is driven by the ongoing need for infrastructure development, the maintenance of existing facilities, and the expansion of the energy sector. As Australia continues to invest in these areas, skilled boilermakers are needed to fabricate and repair the heavy machinery and structures that underpin these industries.

The demand is also influenced by the cyclical nature of some of these sectors, which can see peaks of intense activity requiring additional skilled workers. Moreover, with advancements in technology and the increasing complexity of projects, the need for highly skilled boilermakers who can work with a variety of materials and techniques is more pronounced than ever.

While boilermakers are often considered tradies, their role covers a blend of technical and mechanical skills that are vital in managing complex boiler systems and pressure vessels. They possess detailed knowledge of the construction, installation and maintenance of these systems.

Boilermakers are also trained to understand the intricacies of boiler operation and the physical properties of the materials they work with. Their role requires a comprehensive understanding of blueprints, safety standards, and welding techniques. Therefore, while they are not technicians in the traditional sense, their technical proficiency is critical to their trade.

While there are overlaps between the roles of fabricators and boilermakers, they are not the same. A fabricator is a tradie specialising in creating metal structures by cutting, bending and assembling processes. Fabricators work with various metals to create products and structures, often following detailed blueprints and designs.

Boilermakers, on the other hand, specialise in working specifically with boilers, tanks, and other vessels that hold liquids or gases. Their work includes not just the fabrication of these items but also their installation, maintenance, and repair. While both professions require similar skills in metalworking, boilermakers typically deal with more specialized equipment, making their role distinct from that of general fabricators.

Boilermakers play a crucial role in the mining industry, ensuring the operational efficiency of boilers and other metal structures critical to mining operations. In mines, they are responsible for the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of the boilers that generate steam for various applications, including heating and powering machinery.

Their skills are also utilised in repairing and constructing other metal structures and vessels that are essential for mining processes. The expertise of boilermakers in working with high-pressure systems is invaluable in maintaining the safety and productivity of mining operations. Their work ensures that critical infrastructure is built to last and can withstand the demanding conditions of the mining environment.

Boilermakers in Australia typically charge $50 to $65 per hour, though rates can vary widely depending on experience, location, and the type of work required. Highly skilled or specialised boilermakers may charge $80 to $105+ per hour, while work involving pressure vessels, coded welding, or industrial repairs can range from $80 to $150 per hour.

Typical hourly rates

• Standard rates: $50–$65 per hour
• Experienced/coded boilermakers: $80–$105+ per hour
• Specialised services (e.g., pressure vessel repairs): $80–$150+ per hour
• Entry-level or casual workers: May be slightly lower than industry averages

What affects the cost?

• Experience and qualifications: Coded welders and boilermakers with pressure-vessel or structural certifications command higher rates.
• Location: Rates tend to be higher in major cities, regional mining areas, and remote locations.
• Project complexity: Intricate fabrication, structural work, or heavy industrial tasks cost more than basic welding or repairs.
• Industry: Mining, oil and gas, and engineering fabrication generally pay above average.

Other pricing considerations

• Superannuation: Full-time roles usually include 12% superannuation on top of the hourly rate.
• Fixed pricing: Some boilermakers offer fixed quotes for fabrication or repair jobs for better cost certainty.
• Overtime and call-outs: After-hours, weekend work, or urgent breakdown repairs attract higher rates.

Boilermakers can provide either hourly billing or a project-based quote depending on the scope of work and client preference.

Boilermakers provide a wide range of metal fabrication, welding, and repair services for industrial, construction, mining, and manufacturing environments. Their work includes building, assembling, and maintaining metal structures, heavy equipment, and pressure-rated components.

Common boilermaker services

• Welding and fabrication: MIG, TIG, and stick welding for structural steel, aluminium, stainless steel, and heavy-plate components.
• Structural steelwork: Fabricating beams, columns, frames, platforms, walkways, and handrails.
• Heavy equipment repair: Fixing buckets, booms, chassis, trailer bodies, and other machinery parts.
• Pressure vessel and pipe work: Fabrication and repairs for boilers, tanks, vessels, and pipelines (often requiring coded welding).
• Metal cutting and shaping: Plasma cutting, oxy cutting, folding, rolling, and profiling of plate and sheet metal.
• Assembly and installation: Fitting, aligning, and installing steel components, plant equipment, and onsite upgrades.
• Maintenance and shutdown work: Routine inspections, wear repairs, replacements, and shutdown labour for industrial plants and mine sites.
• Custom fabrication: Building custom brackets, frames, enclosures, gates, ramps, toolboxes, trailers, and other bespoke metal projects.

Industries they commonly support

• Construction
• Mining and resources
• Manufacturing
• Transport and logistics
• Agriculture
• Marine and fabrication workshops

Boilermakers play a crucial role in delivering strong, durable, and safe metalwork across a wide variety of projects, from light fabrication through to heavy industrial repairs.

Yes, boilermakers can work on-site, and it’s very common—especially in construction, mining, industrial, and maintenance environments. Many boilermakers are mobile and equipped to perform fabrication, welding, and repair work directly at the job location.

What boilermakers do on-site

• Welding and repairs: Fixing structural steel, machinery, plant equipment, and heavy-plate components without removing them from service.
• Installation and assembly: Erecting steel structures, installing platforms, walkways, and equipment.
• Shutdown and maintenance work: Performing repairs, replacements, and inspections during plant shutdowns.
• Mobile fabrication: Cutting, welding, and fabricating components using portable welders, generators, and hand tools.
• On-site modifications: Adjusting or altering structures or equipment to suit site conditions.

When on-site work is used

• Remote or difficult-to-move equipment
• Construction sites needing structural steel installation
• Mining and industrial facilities requiring ongoing maintenance
• Emergency repairs where downtime must be minimised

Requirements for on-site work

Boilermakers working on-site typically need:

• The appropriate tickets (e.g., white card for construction sites)
• Relevant PPE
• Compliance with site safety procedures
• Mobile tools or a service vehicle if providing offsite support

Overall, on-site boilermaking is a standard part of the trade and essential for many industrial and construction operations.

The main difference is scope. Boilermakers are multi-skilled tradespeople who fabricate, install, and repair heavy steel structures—such as tanks, boilers, chutes, hoppers, and structural components—while welders specialise primarily in joining metal. Boilermakers use welding as one part of their work, but welding is a welder’s core focus.

Boilermaker vs. Welder

In simple terms

• Boilermaker = Fabricator + Welder + Installer
• Welder = Welding specialist

Both trades are essential, but they serve different roles depending on the job’s complexity and scope.