Electrician (General)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$110,700
Full-time annual
People employed
128,300
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Selects, installs, tests, connects, commissions, repairs, maintains, modifies and diagnoses faults with electrical equipment, wiring and control systems in non-industrial settings.
Typical environments
Alternative titles
Electrical Contractor · Electrical Mechanic
Specialisations
Scope note: Electrical Fitters, Industrial Electricians, hot water solar system installers and electrical trades assistants are excluded from this occupation. Electrical Fitters are included in Occupation 381232 Electrical Fitter. Industrial Electricians are included in Occupation 381233 Industrial Electrician. Hot water solar system installers are included in Occupation 363131 Plumber (General). Electrical trades assistants are included in Occupation 899933 Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Skills to build
- Electrical safety & testing procedures
- Wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000)
- Fault finding & diagnostics
- Switchboard installation & commissioning
- Power distribution systems
Nice-to-have (edge)
- Solar PV / EV charging installation
- PLC & automation basics
- Mining site compliance (SLS)
- High-voltage switching
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
14%
Female rate
2%
Median age
34
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+7%
13,017 projected jobs
to 2035
+12%
23,360 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
2–4 year apprenticeship pathway. Covers wiring, safety, compliance and practical assessment.
A-Grade Electrical Licence
Required to work unsupervised. Issued by state electrical safety regulator after supervised hours + exam.
White Card (Construction Induction)
Mandatory for all construction site work in Australia.
CPR & First Aid Certificate
Required renewal every 3 years. Often a condition of employment.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Occupation ready
Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
Pre-vocational
Certificate IV in Electrical Equipment and Systems
Progression pathway
Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Engineering - Electronic Trade
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Electrical - Data and Voice Communications
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering
Progression pathway
Certificate III in ESI Generation
Progression pathway
Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Overhead
Progression pathway
Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Underground
Progression pathway
Certificate III in ESI - Very Remote Community Utilities
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in ESI - Substations
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Engineering - Industrial Electrician
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Electrical
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrical - Instrumentation
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Systems Electrician
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Electrical Contracting
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Hazardous areas - Electrical
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrical - Renewable Energy
Specialised training
Diploma of Electrical and Instrumentation
Specialised training
Diploma of Electrical Engineering
Specialised training
Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering
Specialised training
Diploma of Industrial Electronics and Control Engineering
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrical - Air Conditioning Split Systems
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrical - Fire Protection Control Systems
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Electrical - Lift Systems
Specialised training
Advanced Diploma of Electrical - Engineering
Specialised training
Certificate III in Electrical Machine Repair
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
805
ACT · May 2026
29
VIC · May 2026
442
NT · May 2026
58
SA · May 2026
226
NSW · May 2026
789
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Electrician (General).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Gold Coast
8,024 estimated employed
- 1
Gold Coast
8,024 employed
QLD
+9.47%
year on year
- 2
Perth - North West
7,673 employed
WA
-5.15%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
5,392 employed
VIC
-6.68%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - North East
5,059 employed
VIC
+0.4%
year on year
- 5
Perth - South West
5,015 employed
WA
-8.49%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
102,965
Moved in from another occupation
10,475
Moved to another occupation
6,055
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
5
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 381231
- Last updated
- 2026-01-19
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · JSA · HomeAffairs · SEEK
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.