What is the minimum wage for an electrician in Melbourne?

The legal minimum depends on the classification under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award. For a qualified electrician (Electrical worker Grade 5 with electrician’s licence allowance), the minimum is $32.19 per hour or $1,223.11 per week as of 1 July 2026. This includes industry, tool and licence allowances. An employer and employee can agree to a higher rate via an enterprise agreement or individual contract.

Does the electrician salary include superannuation?

No. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying super fund. The award rates and the national minimum wage are before super. For example, on the $32.19/h award rate, the employer must add about $3.86/h in super.

Can an electrician be paid less than the award rate?

Generally no. The award is the minimum safety net for employees covered by it. However, junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid a percentage of the award rate. For example, a first-year apprentice who started after 1 January 2014 and did not complete Year 12 receives 50% of the Grade 5 rate, which is $16.39/h. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the ordinary rate.

Electrician salary Melbourne: award rates, minimum pay and what to expect in 2026

The minimum hourly rate for a qualified electrician in Melbourne under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award is $32.19 (Grade 5 with licence allowance), with 12% super on top.

Electrician salary Melbourne: what the award says

When searching for an electrician salary Melbourne, it is important to separate the legal minimum from survey averages or negotiated salaries. The pay floor for most electricians in Melbourne is set by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025), which covers employers in the electrical services industry across Australia, including Melbourne. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide that summarises the minimum rates for each classification Rate tables.

The award minimum rates

The award contains several grades for electrical workers, from Grade 1 to Grade 10. The rates include an industry allowance and, where applicable, a tool allowance and an electrician’s licence allowance. For a fully qualified electrician (Electrical worker Grade 5 with licence allowance), the minimum weekly rate from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 is $1,223.11, which equates to $32.19 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week.

Other grades have different rates. For example, an Electrical worker Grade 1 (entry level) receives $1,046.31 per week ($27.53/h), while a Grade 10 (highest) receives $1,519.01 per week ($39.97/h) with all allowances. These are the minimums; many employers pay above award, and enterprise agreements can set higher rates Which minimum wage applies.

What about the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage applies only to award-free employees. Most electricians in Melbourne are covered by the Electrical Award, so their minimum is the award rate, not the national minimum. However, if an employee is not covered by any award or agreement, the national minimum of $26.44/h (casual $33.05/h) applies. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, while the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.

How super and penalties affect take-home pay

All minimum rates quoted are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into super. For a full-time electrician on $1,223.11 per week, that is an extra $146.77 per week in super contributions. Penalty rates for overtime, weekends, and public holidays also apply under the award. For example, Monday to Saturday overtime is paid at 150% of the ordinary rate, and Sunday at 200% Guides.

Survey averages vs. award minimums

When people search for an electrician salary Melbourne, they often see figures from salary surveys or job advertisements that reflect market rates, not the legal minimum. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings for full-time adults at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026), but this is not specific to electricians. Actual salaries for experienced electricians in Melbourne can be higher than the award minimum, depending on the employer, industry sector, and individual negotiation. The award rate is the floor, not the ceiling.

Casual and apprentice rates

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For a Grade 5 with licence, the casual rate is $40.24/h. Apprentices are paid a percentage of the Grade 5 rate. A first-year apprentice who started after 1 January 2014 and did not complete Year 12 receives 50% ($16.39/h). Those who completed Year 12 receive 55% ($18.04/h). Apprentice rates increase each year. The award also contains provisions for junior employees (under 21) who are not apprentices, but these are less common in the electrical contracting industry.

Key takeaway

The legal minimum for a qualified electrician in Melbourne under the Electrical Award is $32.19 per hour (with licence allowance) plus 12% super. Any salary figure you see online that is higher than this likely reflects market conditions or enterprise agreements. Always check the award classification that matches your role and experience How the figures work.