Electrical Pay Rates 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for electrical workers in Australia under the Electrical Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Electrical Minimum Pay Rate
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for electrical workers is $24.10/hr under the Electrical Award. Casuals receive $30.13/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.
Electrical Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Electrical Worker Grade 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| 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 Electrical Pay Rates
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 | $24.10 | +$6.03 | $30.13 |
| 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 |
Electrical Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.10/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Saturday (after 2 hours) | 2x | $48.20/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $48.20/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $60.25/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $48.20/hr |
Full Electrical Award Details
View the complete Electrical Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Electrical Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $24.10/hr (or $30.13/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 →Pay Rates by Industry
Electrical Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for electricians in 2026?
A qualified electrician (EW5) earns a minimum of $28.54/hr base under the Electrical Award. Casual electricians get $35.68/hr. Entry-level electrical workers (EW1) start at $24.10/hr base.
What classification levels exist in the Electrical Award?
The award uses EW (Electrical Worker) levels from EW1 to EW9. EW1 is a labourer ($24.10/hr). EW5 is a qualified tradesperson ($28.54/hr). EW8 covers advanced electronics technicians. EW9 is the highest classification for specialist technical roles.
Do electricians get tool and vehicle allowances?
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.
What penalty rates do electrical workers get?
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.
Get notified when rates change
Free alerts when minimum wage, award rates, or workplace laws are updated.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Learn more
Complete guide to modern award pay rates for 2025-26. Covers the 3.75% increase, how to find your award, minimum wage levels, penalty rates, overtime, and allowances under the Fair Work system.
Coles Pay Rates 2026: Award Rates by Age, Casual & Penalty RatesWhat Coles workers should be getting paid in 2026. Full breakdown of hourly rates by age, casual loading, weekend and public holiday penalty rates under the General Retail Industry Award.
Bunnings Pay Rates 2026: Casual, Part-Time & Weekend RatesBunnings pays above the award — here's exactly how much. Full breakdown of Bunnings hourly rates, casual loading, weekend penalties, and how Bunnings compares to the General Retail Industry Award minimum.