Boilermakers are among the most in-demand tradespeople in the Australian mining industry. With salaries ranging from $110,000 to $160,000+ on FIFO rosters, qualified boilermakers with the right certifications and a strong resume can secure excellent positions across shutdown maintenance, fixed plant operations, and heavy fabrication.
Your resume needs to clearly showcase your trade qualifications, welding certifications (especially AS 1796), and hands-on experience in mining environments. This guide walks you through creating a boilermaker resume that gets noticed by mining companies and labour hire agencies.
Quick Stats
Salary Range: $110,000 - $160,000+ (FIFO with overtime) Work Arrangement: FIFO (shutdown and maintenance rosters vary) Key Certifications: Trade Certificate, AS 1796 Welding Certs, Standard 11
Boilermaker Resume Example
Shane Gallagher
Boilermaker
Professional Summary
Trade-qualified boilermaker with 8+ years of experience in heavy fabrication, structural steel, and maintenance across mining operations in the Bowen Basin and Pilbara. Holds AS 1796 welding certifications (MMAW, GTAW, GMAW) and extensive experience with shutdown and maintenance work on fixed plant, crushers, and conveyors. Proven safety record with zero LTIs and strong ability to interpret technical drawings and work to precise tolerances in demanding FIFO environments.
Employment History
Boilermaker
Thiess (CIMIC Group), Bowen Basin, QLD
- Perform heavy fabrication and structural repairs on dragline, excavator, and truck components
- Execute planned shutdown maintenance on fixed plant including crushers, screens, and conveyors
- Interpret engineering drawings and weld procedure specifications (WPS) for all fabrication tasks
- Maintain zero LTI record over 3+ years while working in high-risk maintenance environments
- Mentor apprentice boilermakers and conduct on-the-job training assessments
Boilermaker / Welder
Monadelphous Group, Pilbara, WA
- Completed structural steel fabrication and installation on iron ore processing plant expansions
- Performed pipe welding (carbon steel and stainless) to AS 4041 and AS 1210 standards
- Worked on multiple shutdown campaigns across Rio Tinto and BHP sites
- Achieved 100% weld pass rate on all NDT-tested joints during project duration
Apprentice Boilermaker
AJ Engineering, Mackay, QLD
- Completed 4-year boilermaking apprenticeship in workshop and field environments
- Gained foundation skills in MIG, TIG, and stick welding across various materials
- Learned technical drawing interpretation, fitting, and fabrication techniques
- Participated in sugar mill maintenance shutdowns gaining exposure to industrial environments
Education
Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade
CQ University TAFE, Mackay, QLD
Certifications & Training
Skills
Bullet Point Assistant
1. What did you do?
2. What metric did you improve and in what time span?
3. Connect your action to your strategy.
Key Sections of a Boilermaker Resume
Professional Summary
Your summary should immediately establish your trade credentials, welding certifications, and mining experience. Employers scan this section first.
Strong Summary Elements
- +Mention trade qualification and years of experience
- +List specific AS 1796 welding certifications held
- +Reference types of work (shutdown, maintenance, fabrication)
- +Include safety record and mining-specific experience
Avoid These Weaknesses
- -Generic 'qualified boilermaker' with no specifics
- -Missing welding certification details
- -No mention of mining or FIFO experience
- -Vague 'experienced welder' claims
Employment History Tips
Mining boilermaker roles are highly technical. Your employment history should demonstrate:
- Welding specifics - Processes used (MMAW, GTAW, GMAW), materials, standards
- Equipment worked on - Crushers, conveyors, trucks, excavators, draglines
- Quality outcomes - NDT pass rates, weld quality, rework rates
- Safety record - LTI-free periods, safety observations, JSA compliance
Shutdown Experience Matters
Mining companies value shutdown experience highly. If you've worked on planned shutdowns, specify the site, duration, scope, and your specific role. "Completed 21-day crusher reline shutdown at BHP Goonyella" is far more powerful than "shutdown maintenance experience."
Essential Certifications
Boilermaker roles in mining require both trade and mining-specific certifications.
Must-Have Certifications
- Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade
- AS 1796 Welding Certifications (relevant to your processes)
- Standard 11 (or state equivalent) Mining Induction
- HR or HC Truck Licence
- Working at Heights
- Confined Space Entry
- Overhead Crane / Dogman Ticket
- First Aid Certificate
- EWP Licence (Boom & Scissor Lift)
Skills to Highlight
Essential Boilermaker Skills
Welding Processes:
- MMAW (Stick) - all positions
- GTAW (TIG) - pipe and plate
- GMAW (MIG/MAG) - solid and flux-cored wire
- FCAW - flux-cored arc welding
- Oxy-acetylene cutting and gouging
Fabrication & Fitting:
- Heavy structural fabrication
- Pipe fitting and welding
- Technical drawing interpretation
- Precision measurement and layout
- Thermal cutting (plasma, oxy, carbon arc)
Mining-Specific:
- Crusher and screen maintenance
- Conveyor belt repair and splicing
- Heavy mobile equipment structural repair
- Fixed plant maintenance
- Shutdown planning and execution
Licences & Tickets:
- Overhead crane and dogman
- EWP (boom and scissor lift)
- Forklift
- HR/HC truck licence
Welding Qualifications Explained
Understanding and correctly listing your welding certifications is critical. The AS 1796 standard defines specific certificate categories:
AS 1796 Certificate Types
| Certificate | Description | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate 1 | MMAW - Plate (all positions) | General structural welding |
| Certificate 2 | MMAW - Plate (limited positions) | Flat and horizontal welding |
| Certificate 3 | MMAW - Pipe (all positions) | Pressure piping and vessels |
| Certificate 4 | GTAW - Plate | TIG welding on plate |
| Certificate 5 | GTAW - Pipe | TIG welding on pipe |
| Certificate 6 | GMAW - Plate | MIG welding on plate |
| Certificate 10 | Special purpose | Specific project requirements |
Certification Tip
Always list your specific AS 1796 certificate numbers on your resume. "AS 1796 Cert 1, 3, 5" tells an employer exactly what you can weld and in what positions. Generic "welding qualifications" tells them nothing.
Shutdown vs Maintenance Roles
Understanding the difference helps you target your resume correctly.
Shutdown Roles
Shutdown boilermakers work on planned maintenance campaigns where the plant is taken offline:
- Typically 2-6 week campaigns with extended hours (12-14 hour days)
- Higher hourly rates and penalty rates
- Intense, deadline-driven work
- Often through labour hire agencies
- Roles range from structural repair to complete component rebuilds
Ongoing Maintenance Roles
Maintenance boilermakers work on regular FIFO rosters performing:
- Planned and breakdown maintenance on fixed plant and mobile equipment
- Fabrication of replacement parts and structural repairs
- Condition monitoring and defect identification
- Continuous improvement projects
"For shutdown work, I want to see specific AS 1796 certs and NDT pass rates. For ongoing maintenance roles, I value problem-solving ability and the capacity to work independently. Either way, your resume needs to show me you can read drawings and weld to spec."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Strong Resume Elements
- +Specific AS 1796 certificate numbers listed
- +NDT pass rates and quality outcomes included
- +Mining sites and equipment types named
- +Clear trade qualification and apprenticeship details
Weaknesses to Address
- -Generic 'welding qualifications' without specifics
- -No mention of welding standards or quality metrics
- -Missing mining site experience details
- -Apprenticeship details omitted or vague
Ready to Apply?
A boilermaker resume that clearly presents your trade qualifications, AS 1796 certifications, and mining experience will put you ahead of the competition. Mining companies and labour hire agencies need to see at a glance that you're qualified, safe, and experienced.
Next Steps
- Ensure all AS 1796 certifications are current
- Update your resume with specific welding processes and standards
- Browse boilermaker jobs on Resource Jobs
- Register with mining-focused labour hire agencies
Looking for more mining resume examples? Check out our guides for FIFO & Entry-Level Mining, Haul Truck Operator, Mining Supervisor, and Mining Engineer roles.