Australia’s manufacturing industry took centre stage as Weld Australia hosted the 2025 Queensland and Northern Territory Welding Excellence Awards in Brisbane, recognising outstanding achievements in fabrication, innovation, training, and safety across the sector.
According to Weld Australia, the annual event highlights the critical role welding plays in strengthening national manufacturing capability and advancing Australia’s industrial resilience.
The Awards brought together industry leaders, apprentices, educators, and suppliers to acknowledge the projects and professionals driving progress across fabrication and engineering.
Weld Australia Chief Executive Officer Geoff Crittenden said the 2025 winners represent the depth of talent and innovation within Australia’s manufacturing and fabrication sectors.
“Our 2025 winners are proof that welding in Australia is not only world-class, but also vital to the nation’s sovereign capability,” Crittenden said.
“From ground-breaking projects to grassroots training initiatives, these Awards recognise the talent, ingenuity and determination that make our industry thrive.”
Crittenden said the quality of submissions this year reflected the sector’s ongoing commitment to improvement and excellence.
“The calibre of entries this year was exceptional. The winners are setting new standards for safety, quality and innovation, and inspiring the next generation of welders to take up the torch,” he said.
Weld Australia announced Hanlon Industries and NEACH as joint recipients of the 2025 Company of the Year – Fabrication Award. Hanlon Industries was commended for its structural steel fabrication and turnkey project delivery supporting Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
NEACH, celebrating its 50th year in business, was recognised for delivering complex infrastructure projects such as Cross River Rail – Exhibition Station and the Caboolture Hospital upgrade.
HVAC Australia received the 2025 Project of the Year Award for its role in the fabrication and installation of the steel structure for the $27 million Stockland Birtinya Pedestrian Bridge.
Russell Mineral Equipment was awarded the 2025 Health and Safety in Welding Award for implementing the new Welding Fume Exposure Guidelines and investing in technologies to reduce workplace risk.
Air Liquide won the 2025 Company of the Year – Supplier Award for its contribution to Australia’s manufacturing and fabrication industries, including commissioning the Longford CO? facility in Victoria to enhance national supply resilience.
The Outsource Institute was named winner of the 2025 Training and Education – Organisation Award for its delivery of specialised qualifications supporting the manufacturing, mining, and defence sectors.
Among individual recognitions, Weld Australia named Greg Reece from Russell Mineral Equipment as the 2025 Trades Person of the Year and Jake Camm from All Fab as the 2025 Young Trades Person of the Year. Tasvir Singh from TAFE Queensland received the Training and Education – Individual Teacher Award, while Year 11 student Michael Kotchovsky was named VET in Schools Student of the Year for his contribution to community fabrication projects in the Sunshine Coast region.
