Your Electrician Salary: Award Rates, Tax and Take-Home Pay in 2026–27

Understanding Your Electrician Salary Under the Award

If you work as an electrician in Australia, your minimum pay is set by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020. The award covers electrical, electronic and communications contractors and their employees, including electricians, linespersons, alarm technicians, and trades assistants. Your classification grade determines your base rate, and you may also receive allowances that become part of your all-purpose rate.

Fair Work publishes the minimum weekly and hourly rates for each grade. For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, the base rates (as of July 2026) are:

• Electrical worker Grade 1: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week
• Electrical worker Grade 3: $27.55 per hour, $1,046.90 per week
• Electrical worker Grade 5: $29.45 per hour, $1,119.10 per week
• Electrical worker Grade 10: $37.24 per hour, $1,415.00 per week

These are the minimums before allowances. The award also includes an industry allowance, a tool allowance (for workers who supply their own tools), and an electrician’s licence allowance. When these are added, your all-purpose rate increases. For example, a Grade 5 electrician with industry, tool and licence allowances earns $1,223.11 per week or $32.19 per hour, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide.

How Tax and Medicare Affect Your Take-Home Pay

Your electrician salary is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 tax year, the tax rates for residents are:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which reduces your tax by up to $700. The offset phases out between $37,500 and $66,667.

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. If you earn below the single threshold of $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is phased in at 10c per dollar over the lower threshold. For full-time electricians earning above $35,013, the full 2% applies.

Example: Grade 5 Electrician with Allowances

Let’s take a Grade 5 electrician who receives the industry, tool and licence allowances. Their weekly all-purpose rate is $1,223.11. Working 52 weeks gives an annual salary of $63,601.72.

• Tax on $63,602: $4,020 + 30% of ($63,602 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $5,580.60 = $9,600.60
• LITO: $325 – 1.5% of ($63,602 – $45,000) = $325 – $279.03 = $45.97
• Tax after LITO: $9,600.60 – $45.97 = $9,554.63
• Medicare levy: 2% of $63,602 = $1,272.04
• Total deductions: $10,826.67
• Annual take-home: $52,775.05
• Fortnightly take-home: $52,775.05 ÷ 26 = $2,029.81

This is an estimate only. Your actual take-home will differ if you have HELP/HECS debt, salary sacrifice arrangements, or if your employer uses a different pay cycle. Use the Take-home pay tool for a personalised calculation.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Your employer must contribute superannuation at 12% of your ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). This is not deducted from your salary; it is paid in addition. So if your electrician salary is quoted as $80,000 plus super, your total remuneration is $80,000 plus $9,600 into your super fund. Your take-home pay is based on the $80,000, not the total package.

Other Factors That Affect Your Electrician Salary

Your actual pay may be higher than the award minimum if your employer offers above-award rates, or if you work overtime, weekends, or public holidays. The award sets penalty rates: Monday to Saturday overtime at 150% of the ordinary rate for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter; Sunday and public holidays at 200%. Continuous shiftworkers get 200% on public holidays.

You may also receive leading hand allowances if you supervise others, or a nominee allowance if you are responsible for ordering materials. These are added to your all-purpose rate.

How to Check Your Pay

Always check your pay against the award. Fair Work provides a Clearance tool to help you calculate your minimum entitlements. You can also compare your rate to the Minimum wage benchmarks.

If you believe you are underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or your union. Keep records of your hours and payslips.

Summary

Your electrician salary is built on award minimums plus allowances. After income tax and the Medicare levy, a typical Grade 5 electrician takes home around $2,030 per fortnight. Super is extra. Use the resources on this site to understand your Tax and Medicare obligations and plan your budget.