Apprentice electrician wages from 1 July 2026 for each year of the apprenticeship: junior apprentices with and without Year 12, and adult apprentices, with take-home pay after tax in 2026–27.
A first-year apprentice electrician earns $16.39 to $25.87 an hour depending on Year 12 and age, rising to $26.50 in fourth year for a junior apprentice.
Apprentice electrician pay rates
Junior apprentice, did not complete Year 12
| Year | Weekly | Hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $622.72 | $16.39 | $32,381 | $1,174 |
| 2nd year | $742.79 | $19.55 | $38,625 | $1,363 |
| 3rd year | $862.87 | $22.71 | $44,869 | $1,550 |
| 4th year | $1,006.97 | $26.50 | $52,362 | $1,742 |
Junior apprentice, completed Year 12
| Year | Weekly | Hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $682.76 | $17.97 | $35,504 | $1,265 |
| 2nd year | $802.84 | $21.13 | $41,748 | $1,456 |
| 3rd year | $862.87 | $22.71 | $44,869 | $1,550 |
| 4th year | $1,006.97 | $26.50 | $52,362 | $1,742 |
Adult apprentice
| Year | Weekly | Hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $982.95 | $25.87 | $51,113 | $1,710 |
| 2nd year | $1,098.29 | $28.90 | $57,111 | $1,864 |
| 3rd year | $1,098.29 | $28.90 | $57,111 | $1,864 |
| 4th year | $1,098.29 | $28.90 | $57,111 | $1,864 |
Rates for apprentices who started on or after 1 January 2014, for a 38-hour week, including the industry, tool and licence allowances. A year is the weekly rate × 52. Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27.
Overtime and weekends
Apprentices get the same penalty rates as other workers: time and a half for the first 2 hours of overtime Monday to Saturday, then double time; double time on Sundays and double time and a half on public holidays. For a first-year junior apprentice (no Year 12) that's $24.59, $32.78 and $40.98 an hour.
How it works
- Which table applies depends on whether you finished Year 12 and whether you were an adult (21 or over) when you started.
- Apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 have different rates; use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool.
- Your employer reimburses prescribed training fees and textbooks, and excess travel costs to block release training.
- Super is paid on top of these rates.
Common questions
How much does a first-year apprentice electrician earn?
$16.39 an hour ($622.72 a week) if you didn't finish Year 12, $17.97 ($682.76 a week) if you did, and $25.87 ($982.95 a week) as an adult apprentice, from 1 July 2026.
How much does a 4th-year apprentice electrician earn?
$26.50 an hour, or $1,006.97 a week, for a junior apprentice. An adult apprentice gets $28.90 an hour.
What is an adult apprentice?
Under the award, an adult apprentice is one who is 21 or older when they start. Adult apprentices get a higher rate from the first year.
Do the rates include allowances?
Yes. The pay guide rates include the industry allowance, the tool allowance and the electrician's licence allowance for apprentices. Training fees and prescribed textbooks are reimbursed separately.
How much more do I get once I'm licensed?
A licensed electrician on the award minimum (grade 5) gets $32.19 an hour, or $1,223.11 a week. See electrician salary.
When do apprentice wages go up?
When you move to the next year of the apprenticeship, and every year from 1 July after the Annual Wage Review. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also electrician salary, the national minimum wage and the weekly tax table.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide MA000025 (published 7 August 2026), Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 [MA000025], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-21. General information only.