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The average electrician’s hourly rate is $100 in Australia as of 2024. This is based on a varying rate from $80 to $130 per hour. While these charges may tempt you to undertake the work yourself to save on costs, undertaking electrical work without having the expertise can be very dangerous.
Expert electricians offer a wide range of services, and it’s important to know what you’ll be expected to pay before beginning your project. Read on to discover how much an electrician costs in 2024 and what tasks they can help you with.
As noted above, electricians charge for their services hourly, varying from $80 to $130 per hour or more. Not only priced according to their skill and experience, these prices also reflect the complexity of the work, the size of the job and the nature of the repair or installation work.
Whether you are renovating your home, building a new house, or installing a new light fixture to brighten up your space, it's important to know how much you will be charged for any electrical services so that you can manage the budget of your project.
To begin, let's review the average hourly rate of electricians in each state and territory of Australia.
| State | Cost/hour |
|---|---|
|
$90.50 |
|
|
$102.50 |
|
|
$98 |
|
|
$92 |
|
|
$95 |
|
|
$104 |
|
|
$95 |
|
|
$100 |
Now while the above is a broad indication of what to expect, it's important to note that the prices for electricians can also vary quite a bit based on your location within each of these states.
| Major Cities | Cost/hour | Regional Areas | Cost/hour |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$90 to $130 |
NSW |
$90 to $120 |
|
|
$75 to $110 |
QLD |
$80 to $115 |
|
|
$90 to $105 |
WA |
$90 to $130 |
|
|
$80 to $100 |
SA |
$85 to $115 |
|
|
$85 to $130 |
VIC |
$85 to $120 |
|
|
$75 to $95 |
TAS |
$70 to $120 |
|
|
$80 to $110 |
NT |
$100 to $150 |
From the above, we can see that rates are often higher in regional areas which may come as a surprise. However, you’ll often find this is the case due to travel, demand and material costs.
Not always billed as an hourly rate, some electricians will also price on a task basis. So what should you realistically expect to pay for different electrical jobs around your home?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common queries related to this to give a little more context for what to expect cost-wise on a task basis rather than hourly basis.
Whether you’re installing new lights, a spectacular chandelier or upgrading to more energy-efficient LED lighting, which has several pros and cons, you should expect to pay the following:
Remember, the more complex the light fitting the higher the costs. Additionally, this does not include the supply of the lights themselves either, so be sure to also factor in this cost.
Including labour and materials, the installation of a new powerpoint will typically cost you around $140-$180. However, the cost will vary if the installation needs to be put through brick walls, where there is considerably more drilling; if it is double brick, then expect increased cost.
Ideally, these should have been installed during construction. However, there are so many common places people forget to install power points so it is not unusual to need to install some extras down the line.
This specific installation is commonly required when home renovations take place. These installations obviously involve a lot more work and tend to be more difficult too. This can be quite a big electrical project and could cost you between $3000 - $8000, based on the size and complexity of the job.
This particular task has the potential to get more expensive, especially if the renovation is quite invasive or makes it difficult for the electrician to access certain areas, so be sure to get a clear idea of what to expect from your chosen expert.
The most basic home automation system will start at roughly $20,000 in an average small home. The larger the home, the more it will cost; it is not uncommon to go all the way up to $100,000 for a more complex installation in a large house.
This type of electrical installation involves the automation of lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, security and home appliances. Not only does it put your electrical needs so conveniently at hand, but it can also increase the value of your property.
Safety switches are an important element of an electrical system, protecting you from power surges, faulty appliances and damaged wiring. The cost of installing safety switches is between $90 and $250.
Older homes often need their switchboard upgraded to support modern electrical usage needs and is especially common if you are renovating or extending. The price of a new switchboard is dependent on its size and capacity - your electrician is best placed to guide you on what you will need for your home. You can expect to pay between $500-$1,200 for the entire process.
It is important to note that the cost of materials and your electrician is not always the only expenses to be aware of with these tasks. In some cases, such as in renovations or new builds, you may also be required to cover the cost of permits or inspections in order to complete the work.
Electricians are highly skilled in planning, installing and maintaining electrical systems in residential and commercial buildings. Undergoing years of training to achieve qualification and licensing, these experts can assist you with a variety of other jobs in the addition to the above too, including:
Electricians can help you switch to a greener and more sustainable source of power and install the necessary elements of the system. They can also help you with indoor and outdoor lighting and advise you on how to select the right lights to create the right mood.
Imagine being able to turn on your AC or lights without even being in that room. Electricians who specialise in home automation systems can help you achieve your dream smart home by giving you control over your home alarm, lighting, and much more. They can also help you integrate an entire home entertainment system.
Some older homes may have wiring that is unsafe or not up to the latest standards, which is when it's time to hire a licensed electrician to make it right for you. When electrical systems need fixing or routine maintenance, a licensed electrician can help.
Building your dream home? Modern homes are full of smart technology that require many specialised services. Electricians can help you with everything from cabling, power points, and lighting and make everything work and integrate into your new house.
As we’ve highlighted above, electricians are far from DIYers and possess the skills and expertise needed to remain safe while working with electricity. It is strongly recommended not to undertake any electrical work yourself as without this essential knowledge and training, the health and safety risks are simply far too great. Making DIY mistakes with electrical work places not only yourself but anyone who lives in or visits your home at risk of harm.
From electrocution to electric shocks, fire risks and more, attempting DIY electrical work can not only be dangerous, but fatal. Danger aside, it is also illegal throughout Australia to perform electrical work as an unlicensed individual. In NSW alone for example, you can be fined up to $22,000 for doing unlicensed electrical work.
It is simply far better to invest in a properly trained and licensed electrician, this ensures your safety and that all work carried out on your home is legal and up to code.
Before you hire an electrician, make a complete checklist of the tasks your prospective electrician should perform. Also, make sure you ascertain if they charge by the hour or charge for each task separately. Some questions to ask them include:
Many electricians are self-employed and as such it is not always easy to know which one to pick if comparing against larger companies. While seeking referrals from friends, family and associates can be helpful, this can also be a time-consuming, tedious task.
To help you narrow down the best electricians in your area without all this extra work, we suggest using our online directory at Service.com.au. This makes it easy to connect with local electricians and get several quotes, check reviews regarding their service and view some of their work if possible. Of course, when hiring them, it is still important to verify their training and insurance too to ensure best outcomes.
Remember, unlike other jobs around the house, there is no DIY option here; the costs at the time may seem high but they are absolutely necessary and well worth the investment.
*All the costs quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are to be used as an AUD cost guide and may vary locally, and are subject to market changes.
