Elon Musk's recent comment that 80% of Tesla’s value will soon come from Optimus robots may indicate a shift in market expectations, with potential new forms of fabrication work to come.

Across Australia, fabrication shops are rapidly rolling out automated welding arms and cobots, chasing the precision and speed demanded by modern manufacturing.

From small workshops to major industrial players, businesses say automation is becoming less of a luxury and more of a survival strategy. With labour shortages biting hard, robotic welders are stepping in to handle repetitive and high-precision work, freeing up tradespeople for complex jobs that still require a human touch.

Welding specialists say the shift isn’t about replacing workers, it’s about keeping the industry competitive. Automated systems can run for longer hours, maintain consistent quality and take on hazardous tasks that pose safety risks to welders.

Training providers are now expanding courses to include robotic programming, AI-assisted fabrication and digital workflow management. The message is clear, the welding profession is evolving fast and those who embrace the tech will thrive.

If the trend continues at its current pace, Australia’s metalwork industry could soon be dominated by hybrid teams of humans and machines, working side by side to build everything from infrastructure to defence hardware.

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Welding, a once a dangerous and labour-intensive process, has evolved into a highly skilled and specialised trade - where the flame of innovation burns brighter than ever. Today's modern capabilities reflect centuries of technological progression and the enduring art of the people who have shaped our world.

What comes next is up to you.

The government’s Future Made in Australia program is pumping billions into clean-energy projects like hydrogen hubs, battery plants and wind towers - and all of it needs Australian-made metalwork.

Fabrication workshops say they’re already seeing increased inquiries for structural steel, pressure vessels and specialised components used in renewable infrastructure. It’s a shift that marks a move away from offshore supply chains and back toward Australian-made manufacturing, backed by government incentives.

Industry leaders claim the clean-energy rollout could revive sectors that have been struggling for years. But they warn the biggest challenge isn’t machinery, it’s people. Skilled welders, coded fabricators and technicians are in short supply and the pipeline of new tradespeople isn’t keeping up.

Training providers are now racing to expand programs aligned with renewable-energy fabrication, including advanced welding for hydrogen systems and precision work for battery-storage facilities. Enrolments are rising as workers look to secure long-term careers in a rapidly growing sector.

If the government’s plan hits its targets, Australia could see one of its biggest industrial transformations in decades, and welders and fabricators will be right at the centre of the build.

Make It With Orbimax

Welding, a once a dangerous and labour-intensive process, has evolved into a highly skilled and specialised trade - where the flame of innovation burns brighter than ever. Today's modern capabilities reflect centuries of technological progression and the enduring art of the people who have shaped our world.

What comes next is up to you.

Australia’s defence industry is making waves as Anduril Industries launches a new drone manufacturing hub in western Sydney.

The high-tech facility will produce the “Ghost Shark”, a next-generation undersea drone designed to boost the Royal Australian Navy’s surveillance capabilities.

Beyond defence headlines, the project is a big win for local welders and fabricators. The site will rely heavily on advanced metalwork, robotics and precision welding, creating new opportunities for skilled trades in a sector crying out for workers.

Industry experts say the move signals a revival of high-value manufacturing in Australia, blending traditional skills with cutting-edge automation. Local training programs are already gearing up to meet demand for defence-grade fabrication standards.

With thousands of jobs expected to flow from projects like Ghost Shark, western Sydney could soon become a hotspot for advanced welding and fabrication, proving that the future of Australian industry is built and welded at home.