How to become an Electrical Distribution Trades Worker
Installs, joins, maintains and repairs electrical cables, transmission and distribution systems for both overhead and underground lines.
Main tasks
- Installs and maintains distribution overhead and underground conductors and cables, low voltage overhead services, poles, structures and hardware
- Installs cable joints in underground conduits and trenches
- Performs routine maintenance of overhead and underground power lines, cables and auxiliary equipment
- Identifies and diagnoses faults and solves problems in the distribution and underground networks
- Inspects and tests cables and cable joints to identify faults and determine repair or replacement needs
- Selects and prepares cables, connectors and other material for cable jointing
- Terminates cables by connecting them to electrical equipment and overhead lines
- May operate heavy plant equipment such as elevated work platforms and portable equipment such as hydraulic drills
- May undertake substation installation and maintenance, and specialised testing and revenue meter installation
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in ESI - Transmission Overhead. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Overhead (UET30621); Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Underground (UET30821); Certificate III in ESI - Transmission Overhead (UET30521); Certificate IV in ESI - Substations (UET40522); Advanced Diploma of ESI - Power Systems (UET60222); Certificate III in ESI - Rail Traction (UET30721); Certificate III in ESI - Very Remote Community Utilities (UET30921); Certificate II in ESI - Powerline Vegetation Control (UET20321)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $142,012 a year
- About 12,000 people work in this job group now, and about 12,600 are projected by 2035. (+5.2%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Electrical Distribution Trades Worker?
Ways in include: Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Overhead; Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Underground; Certificate III in ESI - Transmission Overhead.
How much does an Electrical Distribution Trades Worker earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $142,012 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is an Electrical Distribution Trades Worker a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 12,000 to about 12,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become an Electrical Distribution Trades Worker?
Usually not. Only 2% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Overhead; Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Underground; Certificate III in ESI - Transmission Overhead.
Will AI change the work of an Electrical Distribution Trades Worker?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04