Welding Tickets in Australia: Every Ticket Explained, Every Cost Compared (2026)

Welding tickets are Australia's certification system under AS 1796. If you want to weld professionally — especially in mining, construction, or structural work — you need the right ticket. This guide explains every ticket, compares costs across all states, and answers the questions every apprentice asks.

What Is a Welding Ticket?

A welding ticket certifies that you've passed a practical welding test to the Australian Standard AS 1796. It's issued by an accredited testing authority and proves you can produce welds meeting specific quality criteria in a specific position and process.

Tickets are per-process, per-position, per-thickness. A Ticket 7 TIG on 6mm steel doesn't qualify you for Ticket 7 TIG on aluminium. Each combination is a separate test.

The Nine Tickets Explained

Note: The "G" in 8G means "general" — all positions including overhead. Ticket 8 without the G is limited to flat and horizontal.

What Each Ticket Costs (by State)

Prices verified August 2026 from TAFE and private provider listings:

Why the huge price range? TAFE NSW subsidises heavily for NSW residents. TasTAFE has the highest sticker price but includes more preparation time. Private providers charge more but often have shorter wait times.

What Each Ticket Is Worth

Ticket level directly impacts earning capacity. Entry-level welders on Ticket 4 typically earn $55,000–$70,000. A Ticket 7 TIG welder in stainless or aluminium work commands $80,000–$100,000+. Ticket 8G (all-position MIG/flux-cored) on mining sites hits $100,000–$150,000+ with overtime and allowances. The ticket is the gate — the salary jump from un-ticketed to Ticket 8G is the single biggest earning event in an Australian welding career.

See our full welder salary breakdown for state-by-state data.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Testing

AS 1796 requires documented welding experience before you can sit a ticket test:

Your log book is critical. Keep records of every welding hour — your employer signs off, or a welding supervisor verifies. Without documented hours, the testing authority won't let you sit the exam.

The Test: What Actually Happens

Each ticket test has two parts:

You get 2-3 attempts at most providers. If you fail, you re-book and pay again.

• Multiple-choice exam on welding safety, processes, and standards
• Typically 20-40 questions
• Pass mark: usually 70%
• Can be done online before the practical
• Weld test coupons in the specified position and process
• Coupons are then:
• Visual inspected — surface quality, undercut, reinforcement
• Bend tested — root and face bends to check for lack of fusion
• Sometimes radiographed — internal quality (higher tickets)

Which Ticket Do You Need?

Ready to Buy Your Machine?

If you're getting ticketed, you need a machine that can produce test-quality welds. Our price index covers every major brand:

• For Ticket 4-6 (stick/arc): stick welders from $104 see stick welder prices
• For Ticket 7-8 (MIG): MIG welders from $182 see MIG welder prices
• For Ticket 7 (TIG): AC/DC TIG from $1,200 see TIG welder prices

How Long Does a Ticket Last?

AS 1796 tickets don't technically expire — but most employers and sites require renewal evidence:

Practical advice: Keep your test coupons. If an employer questions your currency, showing the physical coupon from your test demonstrates you passed. For site access, check the specific requirements before you arrive.

• Weld Australia recommends retesting every 2 years
• Mining sites typically require proof of current competency within 12 months
• Major projects (AUKUS, infrastructure) often require tickets within 6 months
• Some employers maintain their own internal logbook system instead

The AS 1796 vs ISO 9606 Question

The 5th edition of AS 1796 introduced dual certification with ISO 9606-1. This means:

If you're welding for an international company or planning to work overseas, ask your testing authority for the dual certification.

• An AS 1796 ticket is now recognised under ISO 9606-1
• ISO 9606-1 tickets from other countries may be recognised in Australia
• Some employers (especially multinationals) specify ISO 9606
• The practical test is the same — only the paperwork differs

Welding Ticket vs Welder Certification

Don't confuse these:

A welding ticket is about the welder. A certification is about the weld. Structural work often requires both — a ticketed welder producing welds that meet AS/NZS 1554.

How to Get Certified: Step-by-Step Action Plan

Start with the process you already use most. If you MIG weld daily, start with Ticket 8 or 8G. If you stick weld, Ticket 4 or 6. Don't start with Ticket 9 (TIG pipe) unless you already have significant TIG hours — it's the hardest test and the failure rate is high.

AS 1796 requires documented welding experience. Your employer, supervisor, or training provider signs off each entry. If you're self-taught, a TAFE bridging course can count toward your hours.

TAFE is cheaper; private providers are faster. TAFE NSW at $500-600 is the cheapest path if you're in NSW and can wait. Kangaroo Training at $1,990 gets you ticketed in days, not weeks.

Contact the provider with:

Two components on the day:

1. Theory exam (20-40 questions, 70% pass, often done online beforehand)

2. Practical weld test (coupons in the specified position and process)

If you pass, the testing authority issues your ticket through Weld Australia. You'll receive a certificate and test coupons. Register with the Australian Welder Certification Register (AWCR) for online verification — employers increasingly check this.

AS 1796 tickets don't expire, but employers and sites require evidence of currency:

• Tickets 1-4: 150 hours minimum
• Tickets 5-7: 300 hours minimum
• Tickets 8-9: 300 hours + a prior ticket (usually 4 or 6)
• Your logged hours record
• Photo ID
• Payment (most require upfront)
• Weld Australia recommends retesting every 2 years
• Mining sites typically want proof within 12 months
• Keep your test coupons — they're physical proof of competency

Is It Worth Getting a Welding Ticket?

The short answer: yes, if you're welding professionally or plan to.

The ticket costs $500-$3,000 once. The salary increase is $15,000-$50,000/year. The return on investment is measured in weeks, not years.

But if you're a hobby welder who never intends to weld professionally: skip the ticket. Spend the money on a better machine and practice. The ticket proves you can pass a test — it doesn't make you a better welder.

State-by-State: Where to Get Ticketed

NSW has the cheapest TAFE pathway. VIC has the most provider choice. QLD and WA have strong mining-driven demand for ticketed welders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many welding tickets are there in Australia?

There are 11 primary tickets under AS 1796 (1, 1E, 2, 3, 4, 4F, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8G, 9). Each covers a specific process, position, and material combination.

What's the hardest welding ticket?

Ticket 9 (TIG pipe welding in fixed positions) is widely regarded as the most difficult. It requires exceptional control in 6g position (45° inclined pipe).

Do I need a welding ticket to weld at home?

No. AS 1796 tickets are for workplace/professional welding. Home hobby welding has no certification requirement.

Can I get a welding ticket without an apprenticeship?

Yes — you need documented welding hours (150-300 depending on ticket level), not a completed apprenticeship. Many welders self-train and then get ticketed.

How much does a welding ticket cost in total?

Including preparation materials, test fees, and possible retests: $500-$3,500 depending on state, provider, and how many attempts you need.

What's the difference between a 6g and 8G ticket?

6g is TIG pipe welding in 45° fixed position. 8G is MIG/flux-cored in all positions including overhead. They test different processes for different applications.

Do welding tickets transfer between states?

Yes. AS 1796 is a national standard — a ticket issued in QLD is valid in every state.