International Students

New Zealand Certificate in Welding

Level 4 – (Complex)

NZ Certificate
in Welding (Level 4) (Complex)

Combined course

Duration:

  • 40 Weeks Full-time

Fees:

  • NZ$28,000.00

Intakes:

  • January 26th 2026 – Enrolling Now
  • July 20th 2026- Enrolling Now

Course Overview

Enrolment Procedure - International Students

  1. Fill in the form on the “Contact” page
  2. We will send you an Enrolment pack including an Application to enroll Form.
  3. Read all the information thoroughly and complete Application to enroll form and the Medical form.
  4. Check that you have completed all parts of the form and included all required documentation.
  5. Submit your Application to enroll form, Medical form and any additional information required eg copy of Passport and certificates (by email to us).
  1. If you are accepted you will Receive a Letter of offer.
  2. We recommend you engage an licensed Immigration Advisor to help with the Student Visa process (New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority)
  3. Apply for your Student Visa at (Immigration NZ)
  4. Pay the Course fees to The Public Trust Office. We will send you a receipt which you will need to forward to Immigration NZ
  5. Once you receive your Student Visa, email a copy of your Visa to us immediately.
  1. It is a condition of Immigration NZ that you must have Travel and Medical Insurance for the duration of your study’s in New Zealand. We can arrange this for you through (Orbit Insurance) please tick the box on your Application to enroll form for us to arrange this for you.
  2. You will need to arrange your own accommodation in Christchurch.
  3. We will be in touch via email prior to the start of your course with information and any updates for your first day.
  4. Start attending class.

Qualification

A successful candidate will gain the:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Welding (Level 3)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Welding (Level 4)

These are both Unit Standard based NZQA approved qualifications.

Qualification Pathways

  • With further Work Experience and/or qualifications:
    • Workshop Supervisor.
    • Welding Inspector.
    • Welding Supervisor.
    • Welding engineer.
    • Manufacturing engineer.
    • Mechanical Engineer.
    • Engineering Contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Zealand Certificate In Welding (Level 3)
New Zealand Certificate In Welding (Level 4)
Or
New Zealand Certificate in Welding (Level 4) (Complex)

  • For Level 3, no prior welding experience is required, but you must be physically capable of workshop activities and at least 18 years old.
  • You must also have a current approved English test such as IELTS or PTE.
  • All applicants must meet New Zealand visa conditions and provide documentation like a passport copy and medical form.
  • Reasonable numeracy and literacy skills are also expected.
  • See above for full entry requirements

As per Rule 22 of NZQA’s regulations unless you are from an exempt country, we require:

IELTS test

  • Level 3

General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5.

  • Level 4

General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5.

TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT)

Note: This  does not include the Home Edition or Paper Edition (they are not acceptable).

  • Level 3

Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14).

  • Level 4

Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14).

Cambridge English Qualifications

  • Level 3

B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill.

  • Level 4

B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill.

OET

  • Level 3

Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests.

  • Level 4

Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests.

NZCEL

  • Level 3

Level 3 (General).

  • Level 4

Level 3 (Applied).

Pearson Test of English (Academic)

  • Level 3

PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36.

  • Level 4

PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36.

LanguageCert

  • Level 3

B1 Achiever International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS.

  • Level 4

B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS.

Trinity ISE

  • Level 3

ISE I with no less than distinction in any band.

  • Level 4

ISE II with no less than pass in any band.

To enrol, complete the Application to Enrol form and Medical form available via the Contact page of the Welding Academy’s website, and submit required documents (e.g., passport, academic certificates). Once accepted, you’ll receive a Letter of offer needed for your student visa application. It’s recommended to apply early, as places fill quickly.

  • New Zealand Certificate In Welding (Level 3)
    • 20 weeks full-time, NZ$13,250.00
  • New Zealand Certificate In Welding (Level 4)
    • 20 weeks full-time, NZ$14,750.00 (you must successfully  complete Level 3 before taking the 20 Week Level 4 course)

Or

  • New Zealand Certificate in Welding (Level 4) (Complex)
    • 40 weeks full-time, NZ$28,000.00

Fees cover tuition, materials and PPE, but you may need to budget for additional costs like insurance, living costs etc.

Yes, you must obtain a Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand ( https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ ) or have the correct Visa conditions to allow full-time study. We recommend you use a licensed immigration advisor to help with visa approval (https://www.iaa.govt.nz/ ). Processing times vary, so apply at least 3 months in advance of the course start date.

How long do Student Visas take?

Immigration NZ recommends you apply for your Visa at least 3 months before the start of your course.

Welding is in high demand in New Zealand, with graduates finding roles in industries like construction, manufacturing, marine, aviation, and oil/gas. Many employers offer visa sponsorship, with over 100 welder jobs listed recently, including sponsored positions. Welding occupations are on New Zealand immigration’s Green List, providing a pathway to residency for qualified international graduates.

Job hunting is up to you, but we can help with your CV’s/Resume and point you in the right direction for job hunting. You will find our alumni working all over New Zealand and Internationally.

If you secure a welding job with an accredited employer, you could transition to a work visa.

Welding is also on the New Zealand immigration’s Green List, providing a pathway to residency for qualified international graduates.

The Welding Academy does not provide accommodation, so you’ll need to arrange your own in Christchurch. Accommodation options include homestays, rentals, or student housing.

Expect living costs of NZ$15,000-20,000 per year for rent, food, and transport. https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/studying-in-nz/before-your-arrival/cost-of-living

Yes, comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for your Visa conditions and must cover the entire duration of your stay in New Zealand. The Welding Academy can arrange this through Orbit Protect.

For the most current details contact us.

No, our courses are either 20 or 40 weeks duration and are considered full-time courses.

No, our course fees are as follows:

  • New Zealand Certificate In Welding (Level 3)
    • 20 weeks full-time, NZ$13,250.00
  • New Zealand Certificate In Welding (Level 4)
    • 20 weeks full-time, NZ$14,750.00 (you must successfully  complete Level 3 before taking the 20 Week Level 4 course)

Or

  • New Zealand Certificate in Welding (Level 4) (Complex)
    • 40 weeks full-time, NZ$28,000.00

Fees cover tuition, materials and PPE, but you may need to budget for additional costs like insurance, living costs etc.

Career Opportunities

  • Welding is used in:
    • Automotive i.e. Towbars, Trailers and Truck Chassis
    • Agricultural equipment i.e. Farm Equipment, Irrigation Systems, Repairs and Maintenance
    • Construction i.e. Structural Steelwork, Earthquake Strenghening and Ground Stabilisation.
    • Oil and Gas Industry – i.e. Tube and Pipework.
    • Food and Beverage: i.e. Stainless Tube, Tanks, Vats.
    • Aviation Industry i.e. Aluminium Repair and Fabrication.
    • Marine i.e. underwater welding and boat building and repairs.
    • Manufacturing in general.

Admission Information

Application Criteria (International Students):

  • No previous welding experience needed.
  • Applicants should have sufficient physical stamina to be able to weld for several hours per day.
  • Applicants must be able to perform the mechanical tasks required to complete the course unit standards.
  • All applicants must prove their legal status to allow them study in New Zealand.
  • International applicants must be 18 years or over.
  • Must have IELTS English test score of 5.5 band with no individual score lower than 5.0.
    or PTE (43 to 50).
  • Must have the correct visa to study in New Zealand.

This webpage is intended to provide general information only and is not an exhaustive treatment of the course. Accordingly, the information in this Website is not intended to constitute any legal, consultative or other professional advice, service or contract in any way. For full details of the course and application process must be obtained by email or phone from the Welding Academy directly.