What Qualifications Do I Need To Be An Electrician In Australia?

35% of electrician jobs are unfulfilled 60 days after being advertised.

Yes, Australia has been experiencing a skills shortage when it comes to trade professions, and in 2022, electricians are in high demand.

It’s such an in-demand profession that the most skilled electricians can command up to $134,623 a year!

So, if you’re considering a career in the field, now might be the perfect moment to start.

And to help you in this new venture, we’ll first touch on what electricians do before deep-diving into the qualifications you’ll need to become an electrician.

What Do Electricians Do?

Electricians have a very diverse job and can carry out many different tasks. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Answering clients’ calls and organising repair or maintenance appointments
• Analysing technical and mechanical diagrams or drawings
• Installing electrical components such as lighting cable trays, conduits, or power outlets
• Connecting electrical equipment
• Carry out fault-finding
• Preparing invoices
• Travelling to clients’ locations
• Troubleshooting issues based on electrical diagnosis
• Liaising with equipment suppliers

What Qualifications Do Australian Electricians Need?

Electricians require extensive theoretical and practical knowledge to install electrical components, maintain systems and resolve issues for their clients.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become an Electrician in Australia:

Certifications

Gaining certifications will allow you to learn all of the essentials you need to start practical work. Obtaining your Certificate III In Electrotechnology Electrician is recommended if you are just starting in the field. And for a higher-paying career, you can also enrol in a Diploma Of Electrical Engineering.

Not only will a certification help potential employers be more confident in your knowledge and abilities, but it will also be a critical element in obtaining your license down the road.

Apprenticeship

After completing your studies, time to apply for an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity to apply everything you’ve learned and assess whether you want to continue down this career path. During your apprenticeship, you’ll be supervised and will learn the ropes of the trade.

Licensing

To work as an Electrician in Australia, you need to obtain a license issued by the government. In order to issue your license, the relevant authorities will review your qualifications, work experience, and skills. 

Each state has its own licensing process. This is an example for NSW and QLD.

Thinking Of Starting Your Own Electrician Business?

Being an electrician comes with some risks, and to protect your business and financial assets against costly incidents and claims, you’ll need business insurance. 

For instance, you could injure yourself badly while on the job and be incapacitated for a few weeks, meaning you won’t be earning money during that time. Or you could inadvertently leave one of your tools behind while working in one of your clients’ homes and injure someone. 

That’s why business insurance is essential in your line of work. 

And to find the best insurance for your needs, jump on our free instant quote generator, where you can get an estimate on market-leading insurance in seconds. 

Simply enter your occupation and expected revenue to get started.