Minimum pay rates for electrical workers in Australia under the Electrical Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025)
$24.95
Base rate/hr
$31.19
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for electrical workers is $24.95/hr under the Electrical Award. Casuals receive $31.19/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
Electricians, electrical apprentices, and workers in the electrical contracting industry are covered by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award. This covers everything from domestic sparkies to commercial and industrial electrical work. Trade qualifications significantly affect your pay level.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Electrical Worker Grade 1 | $24.95 | $31.19 | $49,301.20 |
| Grade 2 | Electrical Worker Grade 2 | $25.41 | $31.76 | $50,210.16 |
| Grade 3 | Electrical Worker Grade 3 | $27.10 | $33.88 | $53,549.60 |
| Grade 4 | Electrical Worker Grade 4 | $28.81 | $36.01 | $56,928.56 |
| Grade 5 | Electrical Worker Grade 5 | $30.63 | $38.29 | $60,524.88 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | $24.95 | +$6.24 | $31.19 |
| Grade 2 | $25.41 | +$6.35 | $31.76 |
| Grade 3 | $27.10 | +$6.78 | $33.88 |
| Grade 4 | $28.81 | +$7.20 | $36.01 |
| Grade 5 | $30.63 | +$7.66 | $38.29 |
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.95/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday (first 2 hours)
$37.43/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$49.90/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$62.38/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $37.43/hr |
| Saturday (after 2 hours) | 2x | $49.90/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $49.90/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $62.38/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $37.43/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $49.90/hr |
View the complete Electrical Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Electrical Award Pay Rates →If your payslip shows less than $24.95/hr (or $31.19/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in electrical. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →A qualified electrician (EW5) earns a minimum of $29.54/hr base under the Electrical Award. Casual electricians get $36.93/hr. Entry-level electrical workers (EW1) start at $24.95/hr base.
The award uses EW (Electrical Worker) levels from EW1 to EW9. EW1 is a labourer ($24.95/hr). EW5 is a qualified tradesperson ($29.54/hr). EW8 covers advanced electronics technicians. EW9 is the highest classification for specialist technical roles.
Yes. Electricians required to supply their own tools are entitled to a tool allowance. If you use your own vehicle for work, a vehicle allowance must be paid. These allowances are on top of your base rate and are set out in the award.
Saturday pays 1.5x for the first 2 hours and 2.0x after that. Sunday is 2.0x all day. Public holidays pay 2.5x. Overtime during the week is 1.5x for the first 2 hours, then double time.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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