The Welding Engineering Research Group is based on servicing the existing Cooperative Research Centre for Welded Structures (CRCWS) until June 2006, whilst growing the non-CRCWS or 'external' activity. Recent external funding contracts include $900k from BOC, $35k from Fronius, $80k from EWI, as well as several ongoing consultancies.

The welding engineering research centre is internationally recognised and specialises in welding and joining process research and materials weldability studies. It undertakes tactical research for industry as well as more strategic research sponsored by government and has been a leading partner in the CRCWS.

We have a well equipped welding process laboratory backed by state of the art metallurgical facilities.

The group is also a member of the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA) Technology Support Centres Network.

In addition to its research activities, the group has developed an innovative distance education programme for welding engineers.

Students

Postgraduate scholarships are available from time to time. There are currently twenty postgraduate by coursework students (Master of Welding Engineering) and ten postgraduate research students. these include two APA(I) scholarship students, two self funded PhD students, one staff candidate and one CRCWS scholarship student. There is currently one visiting fellow from Delft University and two undergraduate practicum students from ECN, France. The group also runs an undergraduate fourth year elective, offers (and supervises) research project topics for undergraduate and postgraduate students in materials, mechatronics and informatics.