Electrical Pricing Guide 2026

How to Price Electrical Jobs in Australia

The complete guide to pricing electrical work profitably. Learn hourly rates, material markup, labour calculations, and how to stop underquoting — updated for Australian electricians in 2026.

Try QuoteOS FreeSee Pricing Examples
$80-$120
Standard hourly rate
15-30%
Material markup
$80-$150
Minimum callout
20%
Buffer for old properties

Why Pricing Electrical Work Correctly Matters

Most electricians don't underquote because they're cheap — they underquote because they don't have a system. They rush quotes, forget items, and absorb small costs that add up to thousands in lost profit each year.

This guide gives you the framework to price electrical jobs consistently and profitably, whether you're quoting a simple power point or a full switchboard upgrade.

Electrician Hourly Rates in Australia

Your hourly rate should cover labour, overheads, and profit. Here's what Australian electricians typically charge in 2026:

Standard Work

  • Sydney/Melbourne: $100-$130/hr
  • Brisbane/Perth: $90-$120/hr
  • Regional areas: $80-$100/hr

Emergency/After Hours

  • After hours (6pm-8am): 1.5× standard
  • Weekends: 1.5-2× standard
  • Public holidays: 2-2.5× standard

Pro Tip: Calculate Your True Hourly Rate

Your rate should cover: wages + super + insurance + vehicle + tools + admin time + profit margin. Most electricians need $90-$120/hr just to break even on a 40-hour week.

Material Markup for Electricians

You should always mark up materials. This covers your time sourcing, handling, storage, and warranty support.

Recommended Markup Rates

  • Small items (cables, clips, connectors): 25-35% markup or flat $20-$50 handling fee
  • Standard materials (switches, GPOs, lights): 20-30% markup
  • Large items (switchboards, EV chargers): 15-20% markup
  • Customer-supplied materials: Add handling fee + no warranty clause

Electrical Job Pricing Examples

Here are typical price ranges for common electrical jobs in Australia (2026). Adjust based on your location, access difficulty, and property age.

Switchboard Upgrade (Single Phase)

Includes new board, safety switches, surge protection

Labour:$400-$600
Materials:$300-$500
Total:$700-$1,100

Safety Switch Installation

Per RCD, add $50 for difficult access

Labour:$80-$150
Materials:$50-$100
Total:$130-$250

Power Point Installation

Standard install, add $50+ for brick/concrete

Labour:$80-$120
Materials:$20-$40
Total:$100-$160

Downlight Installation (per light)

LED downlight, includes transformer if needed

Labour:$40-$60
Materials:$30-$80
Total:$70-$140

EV Charger Installation

Varies significantly by charger type and distance from board

Labour:$300-$600
Materials:$800-$2,000
Total:$1,100-$2,600

Smoke Alarm Compliance (per alarm)

Interconnected photoelectric, includes testing

Labour:$60-$100
Materials:$40-$80
Total:$100-$180

Why Electricians Underquote (And How to Fix It)

Underquoting usually isn't one big mistake — it's dozens of small ones that add up. Here are the most common reasons and how to fix them:

Forgetting travel time

Fix: Add minimum callout fee or include travel in hourly rate

Underestimating labour on older properties

Fix: Add 20% buffer for pre-1980s buildings

Not charging for consumables

Fix: Add $20-$50 consumables allowance per job

Rushing quotes to respond quickly

Fix: Use quoting software with saved pricing templates

Not including admin time

Fix: Factor 15-30 mins admin per quote into your rates

Absorbing small variations

Fix: Quote variations clearly and charge for scope changes

Fixed Price vs Hourly: When to Use Each

Use Fixed Price For:

  • • Switchboard upgrades
  • • Lighting installations
  • • Power point additions
  • • Smoke alarm compliance
  • • EV charger installations
  • • Any job with clear scope

Use Hourly For:

  • • Fault finding
  • • Maintenance contracts
  • • Jobs with unknown scope
  • • Old properties with surprises
  • • Customer-directed work
  • • Time and materials agreements

Stop Underquoting. Start Using QuoteOS.

QuoteOS helps Australian electricians create accurate, professional quotes in 2 minutes. Build your pricing library, quote consistently, and protect your margins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average electrician hourly rate in Australia?

The average electrician hourly rate in Australia ranges from $80-$120/hour for standard work, with emergency callouts at $120-$180/hour. Rates vary by state, with Sydney and Melbourne typically higher than regional areas.

How much markup should electricians add to materials?

Most electricians add 15-30% markup on materials. This covers your time sourcing, handling, and warranty on materials. Some add a flat handling fee instead for small items.

How do I calculate labour for electrical jobs?

Calculate labour by estimating hours × your hourly rate. Include travel time, setup, actual work, testing, and cleanup. Add 10-20% buffer for unexpected issues on older properties.

Should I quote fixed price or hourly for electrical work?

Fixed price works best for standard jobs (switchboard upgrades, lighting installs) where scope is clear. Hourly suits fault-finding, maintenance, or jobs with unknown scope. Most successful electricians use fixed price for 80% of work.

How do I stop underquoting electrical jobs?

Track your actual time vs quoted time on every job. Build a pricing library of common tasks. Include travel, admin, and consumables. Use quoting software like QuoteOS to ensure consistency.

Related Resources

Electrical Quoting Software

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Electrician Hourly Rates

2026 rate guide by state

QuoteOS for Electricians

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