Award pay for electricians from 1 July 2026: weekly, hourly and casual rates for every grade of the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020, with yearly pay and take-home pay after tax in 2026–27.
A licensed electrician on the award minimum (grade 5) earns $32.19 an hour, $1,223.11 a week or about $63,602 a year. That's about $2,030 a fortnight after tax. Open in the pay calculator.
Electrician pay rates by grade
The pay guide sets three sets of rates depending on which all-purpose allowances you get. Most licensed electricians are on the last table.
Includes industry allowance
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical worker grade 1 | $1,046.31 | $27.53 | $34.41 | $54,408 | $1,795 |
| Electrical worker grade 2 | $1,054.51 | $27.75 | $34.69 | $54,835 | $1,806 |
| Electrical worker grade 3 | $1,088.31 | $28.64 | $35.80 | $56,592 | $1,851 |
| Electrical worker grade 4 | $1,122.01 | $29.53 | $36.91 | $58,345 | $1,895 |
Includes industry and tool allowances
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical worker grade 3 | $1,110.62 | $29.23 | $36.54 | $57,752 | $1,880 |
| Electrical worker grade 4 | $1,144.32 | $30.11 | $37.64 | $59,505 | $1,925 |
| Electrical worker grade 5 | $1,182.82 | $31.13 | $38.91 | $61,507 | $1,976 |
| Electrical worker grade 6 | $1,218.02 | $32.05 | $40.06 | $63,337 | $2,023 |
| Electrical worker grade 7 | $1,284.82 | $33.81 | $42.26 | $66,811 | $2,112 |
| Electrical worker grade 8 | $1,346.82 | $35.44 | $44.30 | $70,035 | $2,196 |
| Electrical worker grade 9 | $1,373.22 | $36.14 | $45.18 | $71,407 | $2,232 |
| Electrical worker grade 10 | $1,478.72 | $38.91 | $48.64 | $76,893 | $2,376 |
Includes industry, tool and electrician's licence allowances
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical worker grade 5 | $1,223.11 | $32.19 | $40.24 | $63,602 | $2,030 |
| Electrical worker grade 6 | $1,258.31 | $33.11 | $41.39 | $65,432 | $2,077 |
| Electrical worker grade 7 | $1,325.11 | $34.87 | $43.59 | $68,906 | $2,167 |
| Electrical worker grade 8 | $1,387.11 | $36.50 | $45.63 | $72,130 | $2,251 |
| Electrical worker grade 9 | $1,413.51 | $37.20 | $46.50 | $73,503 | $2,287 |
| Electrical worker grade 10 | $1,519.01 | $39.97 | $49.96 | $78,989 | $2,430 |
Rates for a 38-hour week. 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, without a study loan.
Penalty and overtime rates (licensed grade 5)
| When you work | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | $32.19 |
| Overtime Mon-Sat, first 2 hours | $48.29 |
| Overtime Mon-Sat, after 2 hours | $64.38 |
| Sunday | $64.38 |
| Public holiday | $80.48 |
| Afternoon or night shift (5+ in a row) | $37.02 |
| Permanent night shift | $41.85 |
Rates for other grades and shift patterns are in the Fair Work pay guide. Use the penalty rates calculator for a week with mixed shifts.
Allowances
| Allowance | Rate |
|---|---|
| Industry allowance (included above) | $41.41 a week |
| Tool allowance (included above where it applies) | $22.31 a week |
| Electrician's licence allowance, electrical mechanic (included above) | $40.29 a week |
| Nominee allowance, electrical mechanics | $102.96 a week |
| Leading hand, in charge of 3 to 10 employees | $48.12 a week |
| First aid allowance | $23.50 a week |
| Overtime meal allowance | $20.60 a meal |
| Travel allowance, up to 50 km, employer doesn't provide transport | $28.26 a day |
| Multistorey allowance, 0 to 15 floors | $0.77 an hour |
| Vehicle allowance | $1.00 a km |
How it works
- The Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 covers electrical, electronic and communications contracting businesses. Some employers have their own enterprise agreement, which must pay at least the award overall.
- Grade 5 is the trade-qualified level. The licence allowance is paid to workers who hold an electrician's licence and are required to use it.
- Casuals get a 25% loading on the hourly rate instead of paid leave.
- Super is paid on top of these rates.
Starting out? See apprentice electrician wages for every year of the apprenticeship.
Common questions
How much does an electrician earn in Australia?
The award minimum for a licensed electrician (Electrical worker grade 5 with the licence allowance) is $1,223.11 a week, or $32.19 an hour, from 1 July 2026. That's about $63,602 a year before overtime. Many electricians are paid above the award; the award is the legal minimum.
What is the electrician hourly rate?
$32.19 an hour for a licensed grade 5 electrical worker on a full-time or part-time basis, and $40.24 as a casual, including the industry, tool and licence allowances.
How much does an electrician take home?
On the grade 5 licensed minimum of about $63,602 a year, take-home pay is about $2,030 a fortnight after tax in 2026–27, before overtime and other allowances.
What is the highest award rate for electricians?
Electrical worker grade 10 with the licence allowance: $1,519.01 a week or $39.97 an hour ($78,989 a year).
What are the overtime rates?
Time and a half for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday and double time after that. For a licensed grade 5 worker that's $48.29 and $64.38 an hour; Sunday is $64.38 and public holidays $80.48.
When do the rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July, after the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also the national minimum wage, hourly rates after tax 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.