How to become an Electrician

Official title: Electrician (General)

Also called: Electrical Contractor, Electrical Mechanic

Selects, installs, tests, connects, commissions, repairs, maintains, modifies and diagnoses faults with electrical equipment, wiring and control systems in non-industrial settings.

Main tasks

• Interprets and uses technical drawings, circuit wiring and mechanical diagrams, equipment and cable/connection schedules and manuals to undertake electrical wiring work
• Installs, repairs, maintains and tests electrical and electrotechnology systems and equipment, including wiring, switches, outlets, circuit breakers, transformers and lighting fixtures
• Measures and lays out electrical installation sequences
• Selects, cuts and connects wire and cables to circuit breakers, transformers or other electrical components in residential and commercial settings
• Connects electrical systems to power supply
• Tests continuity, resistance and compliance to standards of electrical circuits

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820); Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (UEE50325); Advanced Diploma of Electrical - Engineering (UEE62220); Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Electrical (UEE62122); Certificate IV in Electrical - Air Conditioning Split Systems (UEE40520); Certificate IV in Electrical - Fire Protection Control Systems (UEE40820); Certificate IV in Electrical - Instrumentation (UEE40420); Certificate IV in Electrical - Lift Systems (UEE41120)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $113,932 a year
• About 194,900 people work in this job group now, and about 218,300 are projected by 2035. (+12%)
• 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

• Electrical Fitter
• Industrial Electrician
• Lift Mechanic

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Electrician?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician; Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning; Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.

How much does an Electrician earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $113,932 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Electrician a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 194,900 to about 218,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Electrician?

Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician; Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning; Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.

Will AI change the work of an Electrician?

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