Hiring an electrician for a larger project? While small jobs are often priced as a fixed fee, bigger tasks like a full rewire, home renovation, or commercial fit-out are frequently quoted using a day rate.
Understanding the going day rate for a licensed electrician helps you budget accurately and ensures you’re getting fair value. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay across Australia in 2025.
The Short Answer
A licensed electrician’s day rate in Australia typically falls between $800 and $1,200 + GST for an 8-hour day. However, this range can shift based on several critical factors.
Electrician Day Rate Breakdown
The type of electrician and the nature of the work significantly influence the daily charge. Here’s a quick guide:
| Electrician Tier | Typical Day Rate (Ex. GST) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / Trades Assistant | $400 – $600 | Working under direct supervision of a licensed pro on basic tasks. |
| General Licensed Electrician | $800 – $1,000 | Most residential jobs, renovations, and standard installations. |
| Specialist / Master Electrician | $1,000 – $1,400+ | Complex projects, solar and battery installs, commercial work, 3-phase power. |
What Influences an Electrician’s Daily Rate?
Why is there such a range? Your final quote will depend on these key factors:
-
Location: Rates are highest in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth due to higher overheads and living costs. Rates in regional and rural areas may be slightly lower, though travel time and costs may be added.
-
Experience & Specialisation: A electrician with 20 years of experience and certifications in smart home automation or solar battery systems will command a higher rate than a generalist just out of their apprenticeship.
-
Type of Project: Straightforward residential work (e.g., installing downlights) is less costly per day than complex, dangerous, or highly technical work like switchboard upgrades, data centre cabling, or industrial machine wiring, which carries more risk and requires specialised knowledge.
-
Urgency: If you need a job completed outside of standard business hours or as an emergency, expect to pay a premium, often 1.5x or even 2x the standard rate.
-
Materials & Insurance: The day rate is typically for labour only. All materials (cables, switches, fittings) will be additional. A fully insured electrician with full public liability cover may also charge slightly more to cover their operational costs, which protects you.
Day Rate vs. Fixed Price Quote: Which is Better?
-
Day Rate: Best for projects where the scope isn’t fully defined, such as troubleshooting faults, “while-you’re-here” jobs during a renovation, or projects where the amount of cabling needed is unknown.
-
Fixed Price Quote: Highly recommended for defined projects (e.g., “install 10 downlights and 3 new power points”). It gives you cost certainty and protects you from the job running over time.
For any significant project, a reputable electrician will provide a detailed written quote after assessing the job, so you know the total cost upfront, even if it’s based on an estimated number of days.
Why a Licensed Electrician is Worth the Investment
It can be tempting to hire the cheapest option, but with electrical work, safety and compliance are paramount.
A licensed electrician ensures:
-
Safety: Their work is guaranteed to be safe, protecting your property from fire risk and your family from electrocution.
-
Compliance: All work meets the strict Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3000) and is certified. This is crucial for insurance validity and when selling your home.
-
Quality & Warranty: You get peace of mind knowing the job is done correctly, and the work is often backed by a warranty.
Need a Transparent Quote for Your Project?
Whether you need a day rate for an ongoing project or a fixed-price quote for a specific job, our team of fully licensed and insured electricians is here to help.
Contact us today for a free, on-site assessment and a detailed breakdown of costs. We believe in upfront pricing and quality workmanship, ensuring your project is completed safely, on time, and on budget.