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Electrician apprenticeship salary: how it compares to the Australian full-time average

Electrician apprenticeship salaries under the award range from about $32,383 to $57,111 a year, well below the national full-time average of $108,352.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Electrician apprenticeship salary and the national average

An electrician apprenticeship salary is the minimum pay an apprentice receives while training under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025). These rates are set by the Fair Work Ombudsman and updated each financial year. For the 2026–27 period, the award includes industry, tool and electrician’s licence allowances in the weekly rates.

Minimum weekly rates for apprentices

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide, apprentices who started after 1 January 2014 and completed Year 12 receive the following minimum weekly pay (including allowances):

  • 1st year: $682.76 per week ($17.97 per hour)
  • 2nd year: $802.84 per week ($21.13 per hour)
  • 3rd year: $862.87 per week ($22.71 per hour)
  • 4th year: $1,006.97 per week ($26.50 per hour)

Apprentices who did not complete Year 12 start slightly lower:

  • 1st year: $622.72 per week ($16.39 per hour)
  • 2nd year: $742.79 per week ($19.55 per hour)
  • 3rd year: $862.87 per week ($22.71 per hour)
  • 4th year: $1,006.97 per week ($26.50 per hour)

Adult apprentices (21 and over) who started after 1 January 2014 have their own scale:

  • 1st year: $982.95 per week ($25.87 per hour)
  • 2nd, 3rd and 4th year: $1,098.29 per week ($28.90 per hour)

These rates are the legal minimum. Many apprentices earn more through overtime, penalty rates or enterprise agreements.

How these rates are set

The award bases apprentice pay on a percentage of the Electrical worker grade 5 rate. For example, a first-year apprentice who completed Year 12 gets 55% of the grade 5 rate, while a fourth-year gets 82%. The grade 5 rate itself is $1,119.10 per week (before allowances). The Fair Work Commission reviews award wages annually; the 2026 update included a 4.75% increase.

Comparison to the national full-time average

The Australian full-time adult average salary is $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Even the highest apprentice rate — a fourth-year adult apprentice at $1,098.29 per week ($57,111 per year) — is only about 53% of that average. A first-year apprentice who completed Year 12 earns about $35,504 per year, which is 33% of the average.

For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 per year on 38 hours). Most apprentice rates are below this, which is permitted under the award because apprentices are considered trainees. The national full-time median salary is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. Apprentice salaries sit well below both medians.

Factors that affect actual pay

Actual take-home pay can be higher than the minimum rates. Apprentices often work overtime, which is paid at time-and-a-half for the first two hours and double time thereafter on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday and public holiday work attract double time and a half. Additionally, some employers pay above-award rates or offer allowances for travel, special conditions or living away from home.

Apprentices also benefit from superannuation contributions (11.5% in 2026–27) and, if they earn below the tax-free threshold, may pay little or no income tax. The 2026–27 tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on, plus the 2% Medicare levy.

Where this pay sits on the line

On the Average line, an electrician apprenticeship salary falls far below the national full-time average. Even a qualified electrician’s median earnings — though not precisely published in this data — are likely above the apprentice rates. The award structure ensures that as apprentices progress, their pay rises towards the qualified rate, which for an Electrical worker grade 5 is about $58,193 per year (before allowances).

For more detail on how these figures are determined, see How the figures are set. To see where other occupations sit, visit Job medians.

Summary

An electrician apprenticeship salary is a training wage, set by award and well below the national full-time average. First-year apprentices earn roughly one-third of the average; fourth-year apprentices earn about half. Overtime and penalty rates can boost earnings, but the base rates reflect the apprentice’s stage of learning. Once qualified, electricians’ earnings typically increase significantly, often reaching or exceeding the national average.

Questions

What is the minimum salary for an electrician apprentice in Australia?

The minimum salary depends on the year of apprenticeship and whether the apprentice completed Year 12. Under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020, a first-year apprentice who completed Year 12 earns at least $682.76 per week ($35,503.52 per year), while a fourth-year apprentice earns at least $1,006.97 per week ($52,362.44 per year). Adult apprentices (21 and over) start at $982.95 per week ($51,113.40 per year) in their first year. These rates include industry, tool and licence allowances.

How does an electrician apprenticeship salary compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult average salary is $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Even the highest apprentice rate — a fourth-year adult apprentice at $57,111 per year — is only about 53% of the average. Most apprentices earn between $32,000 and $52,000, which is also below the national full-time median of $90,532 and the all-employees median of $74,100. Apprentice rates are set as a percentage of the qualified electrician rate and are intended to rise as skills increase.

Are apprentice electricians entitled to penalty rates and overtime?

Yes. Under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020, apprentices are entitled to overtime and penalty rates. For example, a fourth-year apprentice who completed Year 12 earns $39.75 per hour for the first two hours of overtime Monday to Saturday, and $53.00 per hour after that. Sunday and public holiday work attract higher rates. These additional payments can increase total earnings significantly above the minimum weekly rate.

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