Australia Manufacturing Welding Robots

The top driving forces behind increased welding robot sales include an existing and projected welding skills shortage combined with a desire to address supply chain vulnerabilities by expanding Australia’s manufacturing  capabilities.

Weld Australia, Australia’s main welding industry association, projects that Australia could have a shortfall of 70,000 welders by 2030. In a 2023 survey of 130 of its members, the association found that 60% said labor shortages were likely to inhibit the growth of their business, with 45% stating that was their main concern. Fifty percent  of Australia’s welding workshops are operating at 80% of their capacity or below mainly because of a lack of skilled workers.

Australian fabricators are increasingly looking at automating aspects of the welding process. Applications include manufacture of attachments for wheel loaders and excavators; parts for locomotives and passenger cars; hydraulic cylinders and boilers; and elements of forklifts, trusses, cranes, mining equipment; and vessels.

Australia’s ambitious energy transition is also driving demand for welding robots. A more than three-fold increase in the country’s renewable energy capacity will require substantial manufacturing of components. It’s estimated that over 11,000 wind towers will need to be produced, each demanding 500 tons of plate steel for onshore towers and 750 tons for offshore installations. The country will need 10,000 km of new transmission lines and 25,000 steel transmission towers, each weighing between 30 to 60 tons. Welding robots offer a viable solution to meet the demand for precision and efficiency in manufacturing and construction processes.

The defense sector is another demand driver, with a major planned Australian Navy fleet expansion. The construction and maintenance of advanced naval assets will require sophisticated welding capabilities.  Welding robots offer precision, consistency, and efficiency, making them indispensable in the fabrication and assembly of complex defense infrastructure.

For more information on the Australian market for welding robots please contact the U.S. Commercial Service in Australia: office.australia@trade.gov.