How to become an Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant

Assists Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers to install and maintain electrical and telecommunications systems.

Main tasks

• Assists in the installation, maintenance and repair of electrical and telecommunications systems
• Carries out basic electrical and telecommunications tasks under the guidance of trades workers
• Assists in the testing and troubleshooting of electrical and telecommunications systems
• Prepares materials and tools for electrical and telecommunications installations

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications (UEE30420); Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology (ICT30524); Certificate II in Telecommunications Network Build and Operation (ICT20219); Certificate IV in Telecommunications Engineering Technology (ICT41219); Certificate IV in Telecommunications Network Design (ICT41119); Certificate III in Engineering - Electronic Trade (MEM30422); Certificate III in ESI - Transmission Overhead (UET30521); Certificate III in Switchgear and Controlgear (UEE30720)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $80,236 a year
• About 68,600 people work in this job group now, and about 71,500 are projected by 2035. (+4.2%)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Car Park Attendant
• Crossing Supervisor
• Leaflet or Newspaper Deliverer
• Recycling or Waste Collector
• Sign Installer
• Swimming Pool or Spa Technician

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become an Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications; Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology.

How much does an Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $80,236 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 68,600 to about 71,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant?

Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications; Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology.

Will AI change the work of an Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant?

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