Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, equipment and systems. Work includes running new wiring in homes and commercial buildings, diagnosing and fixing faults, installing switchboards and safety switches, testing systems for compliance, and increasingly working with solar and battery installations.

You need a Certificate III in Electrotechnology completed through a four-year apprenticeship, followed by an electrical licence from your state regulator to work independently. Ongoing continuing professional development is typically required to maintain your licence throughout your career.

Electricians can specialise in residential, commercial or industrial installations, data and communications cabling, solar and battery storage systems, or become electrical contractors managing their own licence and business. Renewable energy specialisation is currently one of the fastest growing areas.

Electrical contractors employ the majority of electricians across residential and commercial work, alongside utilities, mining companies, manufacturers and facilities management providers. Many experienced electricians eventually establish their own contracting businesses, given consistent demand across every region. Solar and battery installation work is adding further growth across the trade.

Electricians progress to leading hand and supervisor roles, then estimating and project management with larger contractors. Many hold their own electrical contractor's licence and run independent businesses, while others move into electrical engineering, training and assessing, or inspection and compliance roles.