Electricians are professional tradesmen whose main responsibilities revolve around installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring and appliances. Nowadays, electrical systems can be found in almost all types of buildings be it residential, commercial, or industrial. Depending on their specialisation, electricians will work either indoors or outdoors.
If you find yourself in need of a qualified electrician, the first question you should ask is ‘How much does an electrician cost?’. For an average job, an electrician will charge around $75 per hour. For simple jobs, you might be able to find a sparkie who will charge less. However, for more complicated and complex jobs, you might pay up to $80 per hour.
What is an electrician's call-out fee?
In Australia, hiring a licenced electrician means that you will have to pay a call out fee. These fees are meant to cover the electrician’s transport and effort to travel to the client’s house and to inspect the problem. Generally, the call out fee is the equivalent of the electrician’s one hour rate.
An electrician’s call out fee can be anywhere between $50 and $90. If the electrical job is simple and the electrician fixes it really fast, then they might only charge the aforementioned call out fee.
Electrician price guide - The standard electrician rates in Australia:
- Installing downlights: $30-$40
- Fixing power point: $55-$65
- Replacing a light switch: $90-$100
- Fault finding: $95-$105
- Fixing a damaged cable: $110-$130
- Repairing a metre box: $200-$300
Some of the most common services that electricians offer include installing lighting, installing ceiling fans, installing safety switches, installing standard and USB power points, doing complete rewiring or repairing circuits. These services have different prices due to the following aspects:
1. The size of the job
A smaller job will be solved quicker than a big job, so for a big job, the electrician fees will be considerably higher. Charging an hourly rate, you will probably pay a lot more for a job that will take several hours, as opposed to 10 minutes.
2. The job's level of difficulty
If the job is complex, it will also take longer to complete. Depending on the job’s complexity and level of difficulty, the final costs can vary. If you want to know how long your project will take, you should ask your electrician for a timetable.
3. The materials and equipment used
The materials and the equipment needed to complete the job will also have an impact on the final costs. Having to use different types of equipment can be quite expensive and although it’s recommended to use high-quality materials, these might have quite an impact on your budget. Additionally, the prices of certain electrical products such as cables and switches will also depend on the brand or the supplier that you choose.
4. The state in which you hire the electrician
Western Australia is by far the most expensive state in Australia in terms of hiring electricians. It costs around $85 per hour to hire one there. The second highest electrician rates can be found in Tasmania - $79. In the Australian Capital Territory, an electrician charges an hourly rate of about $78.
In Queensland and in South Australia, the average costs of hiring an electrician are around $75.
A qualified electrician’s hourly rate in NSW is about $69 per hour, while in Victoria you will pay around $68 per hour.
Keep in mind that the average electrician costs might also differ from one city to another. For example, an electrician’s hourly rate in Melbourne will probably be higher than the rate in Wollongong.
Before hiring an electrician, it is highly recommended to analyse the market by asking for quotes. Make sure you take into consideration each electrician’s qualifications and referrals. You should only hire licenced, insured, and bonded electricians.
Looking for an electrician to help you with a home improvement project or emergency? Jump on the Bricks + Agent homeowners hub and post the job. It's quick, easy, and free!
