Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 2011 and may now be outdated.
Is $50 per hour a fair price to pay to get a couple of lights installed? We bring you a comprehensive price list of electrical services around Australia – so be your own judge.
Disclaimer: Prices in this guide are based on data from 2011 and are subject to fluctuations in the market.
Electrician hourly rates
For an average electrical job, you’re looking at $50 per hour – the price generally charged for a typical appliance installation or home theatre setup.
The hourly premium rate for more complex – and potentially dangerous – tasks such as re-wiring can cost up to a maximum of $180 per hour.
What are you paying your electrician for?
Basic materials such as wiring and switches are commonly included in hourly rates, but more expensive electrical fixtures such as lights, fans or safety switches are priced separately. Be sure to ask for a written quotation detailing all inclusions.
Appliance installation
The kitchen is one area where the cost will really add up for installation work.
- Oven – starts at $150 for a budget job, $250 on average and up to $500 for a premium job.
- Cooktop – starts from $150 and goes up to $440.
- Rangehood – the most expensive appliance to install and will set you back $225 for a budget job and $600 for a premium job. On average, you’ll pay $400.
Light & powerpoint installation
Prices to install lights start from $200, climbing to $600 for a premium job. These can be complex when you add dimmers and two-way light switches into the mix.
Particularly costly is the installation of powerpoints – while this starts at a reasonable $210, it can go as high as $740 for a premium job.
Wiring
Wiring is at the high end of the price scale due to its complexity – expect to pay on average, $350 but as much as $700.
Electrician rates by state
So, what’s the most affordable state for an electrical job? Victorians are victorious when it comes to the cost of appliance installation (paying $180 as opposed to the national average of $300 – that’s 40 per cent less).
However, they pay substantially more for light installation ($400 – 33.3 per cent more than the national average of $300) and also for wiring ($450 – that’s a whopping 50 per cent more than the national average of $300!).
Most rates for New South Wales are in line with national figures – these residents pay the national average for appliance and light installation and wiring work. Unfortunately, Queenslanders have to fork out more for all major electrical tasks apart from powerpoint installation.
Why hire a professional electrician?
Electrical work is an area where you definitely don’t want to take the cheap route and do a dangerous task yourself.
Not only could this action be detrimental to your home – you could cause a blackout or even start a fire – but it could result in electrocution or even death for pets or humans. And that’s not to mention the legal dramas.
Arguably, whatever money is outlaid is a small price to pay to get the job done safely and correctly – and for general peace of mind.
Common tasks
Common electrical jobs include small tasks such as the installation of new lighting, fans, powerpoints, or safety switches, through to complete re-wiring or circuit repair. There is not really a “typical” request for an electrician, so prices can vary depending on what you need.
What to look for
Be sure to check your electrician has an electrician’s license, public liability insurance, references, positive customer testimonials, and a valid ABN. It is a small price to pay to get the job safely and correctly and also for peace of mind.
