Find Licensed Electricians Across Australia
Use this TradeRefer electrical hub to compare typical electrician costs, understand licensing requirements in each state, and discover verified local electrical businesses in the Australian cities where demand is highest.
Electrician Cost Guide Australia
Electrical job costs vary by city, urgency, and complexity. These national guide figures help you benchmark quotes before choosing a provider.
Typical Hourly Rate
$70–$130
/hr
Emergency Estimate
$195
peak after-hours rate
Best Practice
2–3
written quotes per job
| City | Hourly Rate | Call-out | Power Point | Switchboard Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $90–$140/hr | $80–$120 | $150–$300 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Melbourne | $85–$135/hr | $75–$110 | $140–$280 | $1,400–$3,200 |
| Brisbane | $80–$130/hr | $70–$105 | $130–$260 | $1,300–$3,000 |
| Perth | $85–$135/hr | $75–$110 | $140–$270 | $1,400–$3,200 |
| Adelaide | $75–$125/hr | $65–$100 | $130–$250 | $1,300–$2,900 |
| Canberra | $90–$140/hr | $75–$115 | $150–$290 | $1,500–$3,300 |
| Hobart | $80–$130/hr | $65–$105 | $135–$260 | $1,350–$3,000 |
| Darwin | $95–$150/hr | $80–$120 | $155–$310 | $1,600–$3,600 |
Common Electrical Job Costs
Electrical Services We Cover
TradeRefer's electrical hub supports both urgent household repairs and larger residential or commercial electrical projects.
Before You Hire an Electrician
Use these checks to avoid unlicensed work, hidden fees, and safety risks.
Verify the electrical licence
All electrical work in Australia must be performed by a licensed electrician. Ask for the licence number and verify it with the relevant state authority (e.g., Energy Safe Victoria, NSW Fair Trading, QBCC) before any work begins.
Request a written quote and scope
Written quotes should itemise labour, materials, call-out fees, and GST separately. Avoid vague verbal pricing and ensure the scope clearly describes what is and isn't included.
Ask for a Certificate of Electrical Safety
Licensed electricians are legally required to issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety (or equivalent compliance certificate) for all prescribed electrical work. If they don't offer one, walk away.
Check public liability insurance
A reputable electrician should carry current public liability insurance. TradeRefer surfaces verified businesses ranked by real community referrals, not paid placement — so you can compare with confidence.
Find Electrical Businesses by City
Start with the major cities where TradeRefer already has electrical businesses listed, then drill into suburb-level pages from there.
Get 3 Free Electrical Quotes
Request your electrical quotes here and we'll match your job with up to 3 verified local businesses.
Electrical Licensing Requirements by State
Electrical work is regulated in every Australian state and territory. Always confirm the contractor is correctly licensed for the location where the work is performed.
VIC
In Victoria, all electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician registered with Energy Safe Victoria (ESV). A Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) is required for all prescribed electrical work.
NSW
In NSW, electricians must hold a contractor licence from NSW Fair Trading. An Electrical Safety Certificate must be issued for all work.
QLD
In Queensland, a QBCC Electrical Contractor Licence is required. All work must comply with the Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000).
WA
In WA, electricians must be licensed with Electrical Inspections, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
SA
In SA, all electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician. A Certificate of Compliance must be issued and lodged with SAPN.
TAS
In Tasmania, electrical contractors must be licensed under the Electrical Safety Act. A Certificate of Compliance is required for all work.
ACT
In the ACT, electricians must be licensed and all work must meet ACTPLA requirements.
NT
In the NT, electrical work requires a licence from NT Build and must comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3000.
Verified electrical businesses
TradeRefer helps surface ABN-checked electrical businesses so homeowners and businesses can compare verified providers instead of relying on anonymous listings.
Better quote comparison
Use this hub to understand typical electrician rates before you request quotes, so you can quickly spot overpriced or incomplete proposals.
Australia-wide local discovery
Move from this national electrical guide into city and local pages to find licensed electricians in the areas that matter most to you.
Electrical: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an electrician charge per hour in Australia?
Electricians typically charge $70–$130 per hour depending on the state and job type. After-hours and emergency callouts attract higher rates, often $150–$250/hr plus a callout fee of $80–$150.
Do I need a licensed electrician for all electrical work?
Yes — in Australia, all electrical work including new power points, light fittings, safety switches, and switchboard upgrades must be performed by a licensed electrician. The only DIY exception is replacing light globes.
What is a safety switch and do I need one?
A safety switch (RCD) shuts off power within milliseconds if it detects a fault, protecting against electric shock. Australian standards require safety switches on all power and lighting circuits. If your home doesn't have them, upgrading is a legal requirement when renovating.
How long does a switchboard upgrade take?
A standard switchboard upgrade takes 4–8 hours. If your home needs new wiring runs or the switchboard is in a difficult location, allow a full day. Your electrician will also need to notify your distributor (e.g., Ausgrid, Jemena, Citipower).
What should a Certificate of Electrical Safety include?
A Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) must describe the work performed, the licence number of the electrician, the address, and confirm the installation was tested and complies with AS/NZS 3000.
Can I add more power points to my home myself?
No. Adding power points involves working with mains power, which is illegal for unlicensed persons in all Australian states. An electrician can typically add a power point in 1–2 hours for $100–$250 per point.
Related Trade Guides
Continue exploring adjacent trade categories that homeowners often compare alongside electrical work.
Need an Electrician Near You?
Browse verified local electrical businesses, compare their services, and move into suburb-level directory pages to find the best licensed electrician for your job.