Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award pay rates
Award code MA000025, with rates in force from 1 July 2026.
Minimum pay for 10 adult classifications under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020, from 1 July 2026: $26.44 to $37.24 an hour before tax. Casuals get a 25% loading on top.
Lowest adult rate
$26.44an hour
For Electrical worker grade 1. $1,004.90 for a full-time week. Up 5.97% from $24.95. Casuals get $33.05 an hour, with the 25% loading.
Its lowest adult rate is $26.44 an hour, the same as the National Minimum Wage. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 57 have a higher minimum. The dashed line is the minimum wage; each tick is another award.
Pay by classification
Dollars an hour, from 1 July 2026- Electrical worker grade 1$26.44
- Electrical worker grade 2$26.66
- Electrical worker grade 3$27.55
- Electrical worker grade 4$28.44
- Electrical worker grade 5$29.45
- Electrical worker grade 6$30.38
- Electrical worker grade 7$32.13
- Electrical worker grade 8$33.77
- Electrical worker grade 9$34.46
- Electrical worker grade 10$37.24
Hover or tap a row for last year's rate. Every rate, in every unit, is in the tables below.
Penalty rates at a glance
Percent of the ordinary rate, and dollars an hour at Electrical worker grade 1.
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$27.53 |
| Public holiday | 250%$68.83 |
Minimum pay by classification from 1 July 2026
Weekly rates are for a full-time week; hourly rates apply to full-time and part-time hours. Casual hourly adds the 25% loading.
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical worker grade 1 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| Electrical worker grade 2 | $1,013.10 | $26.66 | $33.33 |
| Electrical worker grade 3 | $1,046.90 | $27.55 | $34.44 |
| Electrical worker grade 4 | $1,080.60 | $28.44 | $35.55 |
| Electrical worker grade 5 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Electrical worker grade 6 | $1,154.30 | $30.38 | $37.98 |
| Electrical worker grade 7 | $1,221.10 | $32.13 | $40.16 |
| Electrical worker grade 8 | $1,283.10 | $33.77 | $42.21 |
| Electrical worker grade 9 | $1,309.50 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Electrical worker grade 10 | $1,415.00 | $37.24 | $46.55 |
Penalty and overtime rates
Percentages as the award sets them, and what they come to an hour at the first adult level. Higher classifications get the same percentages of their own rate. The tick on each bar marks 100%, the ordinary rate.
Evenings, weekends and public holidays
Full-time and part-time employees other than shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Electrical worker grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$27.53 |
| Public holiday | 250%$68.83 |
Casual employees other than shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Electrical worker grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day | 125%$34.41 |
| Public holiday | 312.5%$86.03 |
Shiftwork
Full-time and part-time shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Electrical worker grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Afternoon or night | 115%$31.66 |
| Permanent night | 130%$35.79 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night - First 2 hours | 150%$41.30 |
| Saturday | 150%$41.30 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night - After 2 hours | 200%$55.06 |
| Public holiday - Continuous shiftwork | 200%$55.06 |
| Sunday | 200%$55.06 |
| Public holiday - Other than continuous shiftwork | 250%$68.83 |
Casual shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Electrical worker grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Afternoon or night | 140%$38.54 |
| Permanent night | 155%$42.67 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night - First 2 hours | 187.5%$51.62 |
| Saturday | 187.5%$51.62 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night - After 2 hours | 250%$68.83 |
| Public holiday - Continuous shiftworker | 250%$68.83 |
| Sunday | 250%$68.83 |
| Public holiday - Non-continuous shiftworker | 312.5%$86.03 |
Overtime
Full-time and part-time employees other than shiftworkers: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at Electrical worker grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday - First 2 hours | 150%$41.30 |
| Monday to Saturday - After 2 hours | 200%$55.06 |
| Sunday | 200%$55.06 |
| Public holiday | 250%$68.83 |
Full-time and part-time shiftworkers: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at Electrical worker grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday - Other than continuous shiftwork - First 2 hours | 150%$41.30 |
| Monday to Sunday - Continuous shiftwork | 200%$55.06 |
| Monday to Sunday - Other than continuous shiftwork - After 2 hours | 200%$55.06 |
| Public holiday - Continuous shiftwork | 200%$55.06 |
| Public holiday - Other than continuous shiftwork | 250%$68.83 |
Juniors, apprentices and other arrangements
Rates that depend on age, training or another arrangement. Open a group to see its rates.
Junior apprentice minimum wages - commencing before 1 January 2014Apprentice ratesClause 16.4(a)(i)4 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| 1st year | $502.63 |
| 2nd year | $646.72 |
| 3rd year | $862.87 |
| 4th year | $1,006.97 |
Junior apprentice minimum wages - commencing on or after 1 January 2014Apprentice ratesClause 16.4(a)(ii)8 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Have completed year 121st year | $682.76 |
| Have completed year 122nd year | $802.84 |
| Have completed year 123rd year | $862.87 |
| Have completed year 124th year | $1,006.97 |
| Have not completed year 121st year | $622.72 |
| Have not completed year 122nd year | $742.79 |
| Have not completed year 123rd year | $862.87 |
| Have not completed year 124th year | $1,006.97 |
Adult apprentices - Commencing their apprenticeship before 1 January 2014Adult apprentice ratesClause 16.4(b)(ii)4 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Commencing before 1 January 20141st year | $502.63 |
| Commencing before 1 January 20142nd year | $646.72 |
| Commencing before 1 January 20143rd year | $862.87 |
| Commencing before 1 January 20144th year | $1,006.97 |
Adult apprentices - Commencing their apprenticeship on or after 1 January 2014Adult apprentice ratesClause 16.4(b)(v)4 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Commencing on or after 1 January 20141st year | $982.95 |
| Commencing on or after 1 January 20142nd year | $1,098.29 |
| Commencing on or after 1 January 20143rd year | $1,098.29 |
| Commencing on or after 1 January 20144th year | $1,098.29 |
Allowances paid on top
18 allowances are for the work itself, paid when the job calls for it, and 10 cover costs you'd otherwise pay yourself, like meals, laundry or travel. The amounts are the Commission's, in force today; the award sets out exactly who gets each one and when.
For the work
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Industry allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(a) | $41.41 a week | |
| Electrician's licence allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(b) | $40.29 a week | |
| Leading hands allowance | ||
| In charge of, 11 to 20 employeesCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(c) | $67.15 a week | |
| In charge of, 3 to 10 employeesCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(c) | $48.12 a week | |
| In charge of, more than 20 employeesCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(c) | $90.65 a week | |
| Nominee allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(d) | $102.96 a week | |
| Electrical distribution line maintenance and tree clearing allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(e) | $86.17 a week | |
| Rate for ordering materials | ||
| Less than 4 days' engagementCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(f)(ii) | $4.48 a day | |
| More than 4 days' engagementCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(f)(ii) | $22.38 a week | |
| Multistorey allowance | ||
| 0 to 15 floorsClause 18.4(a)(iii) | $0.77 an hour | |
| 16 to 30 floorsClause 18.4(a)(iii) | $0.94 an hour | |
| 31 to 45 floorsClause 18.4(a)(iii) | $1.44 an hour | |
| 46 to 60 floorsClause 18.4(a)(iii) | $1.83 an hour | |
| More than 60 floorsClause 18.4(a)(iii) | $2.33 an hour | |
| Towers allowance | ||
| Construction over 15 metres in heightClause 18.4(b)(i) | $0.94 an hour | |
| Each further 15 metresClause 18.4(b)(i) | $0.94 an hour | |
| First aid allowanceClause 18.4(c) | $23.50 a week | |
| Availability for dutyClause 20.6 | $98.48 a week | |
To cover costs
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tool allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.3(g) | $22.31 a week | |
| Meal allowance | ||
| Meal allowanceClause 18.5(a)(i) | $20.60 a meal | |
| Meals not included in fares or accommodationClause 18.7(a)(iii) | $20.60 a meal | |
| Compensation for loss of tools (maximum amount)Clause 18.5(b)(i) | $383.67 each time | |
| Motor vehicle allowanceClause 18.6(b) | $1.00 a km | |
| Travel time allowanceClause 18.6(c) | $8.69 per day at work and RDO | |
| Start and/or finish on job site | ||
| No transport providedClause 18.6(d)(i) | $28.26 a day | |
| Transport providedClause 18.6(d)(iii) | $5.07 a day | |
| Motor allowance, for use of private vehicle for business purposesClause 18.6(f) | $1.00 a km | |
| Living away allowanceClause 18.7(a)(i) | $720.10 a week | |
The award is the final word
These are the minimum rates the Fair Work Commission publishes for the award. Shift rules, rostering and who each classification covers are in the award itself, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay. Employees no award or agreement covers get the National Minimum Wage: $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026.
Questions people ask
- What is the minimum pay rate under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award?
- From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult rate is $26.44 an hour ($1,004.90 a week full time), for Electrical worker grade 1. The highest adult classification is $37.24 an hour. Apprentice and adult apprentice rates, further down, can be lower.
- How does the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award minimum compare?
- Its lowest adult rate is $26.44 an hour, the same as the National Minimum Wage. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 57 have a higher minimum.
- How much did Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award rates go up on 1 July 2026?
- The lowest adult rate rose 5.97%, from $24.95 to $26.44 an hour, in the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. The table shows each classification's rate before and after.
- What is the casual loading under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award?
- 25% on top of the ordinary hourly rate, paid instead of leave entitlements. For Electrical worker grade 1 that makes $33.05 an hour.
- What allowances are paid under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award?
- 28 allowances have a dollar amount set by the Commission, including an industry allowance of $41.41 a week, an electrician's licence allowance of $40.29 a week and a leading hands allowance, in charge of, 11 to 20 employees of $67.15 a week. The full list, with the clause each comes from, is on this page.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database, which publishes every award's minimum rates; we read it when the Commission changes an award. The award itself prevails if the two ever differ, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay.
Source: Fair Work Commission, Modern Awards Pay Database, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 27 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not endorsed by the Fair Work Commission. Read with the award: if they differ, the award prevails. General information, not legal or payroll advice.