Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000025)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award covers employees working in the electrical contracting industry across Australia. This includes electricians, electrical fitters, data and communications cable installers, fire alarm technicians, security alarm installers, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, and apprentices in these trades. If you are employed by an electrical contracting firm to install, maintain, or repair electrical systems, data cabling, fire detection systems, or air conditioning equipment, this award likely applies to you.
The award does NOT cover electrical workers employed directly by manufacturing businesses (covered by the Manufacturing Award), electrical workers on major construction projects covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), or in-house maintenance electricians employed by non-electrical businesses who may be covered by other industry-specific awards.
How classification levels work
Classification levels are based on your trade qualifications and the complexity of work you perform. The award uses a classification structure from EW1 (general hand, unqualified) through to EW9 (leading hand, advanced tradesperson). Qualified electricians with a Certificate III in Electrotechnology are typically classified at EW5 or EW6. Data and communications cablers, fire alarm technicians, and refrigeration mechanics have equivalent classification levels within the same structure.
What about part-time and casual workers?
Part-time employees receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees on a pro-rata basis. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. Shiftworkers receive additional penalties for afternoon, night, and weekend work.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
| Level | Typical Duties | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EW1 | General hand, trades assistant, labourer | $940.00 | $24.74 | $30.93 |
| EW2 | Experienced assistant, cable puller | $960.80 | $25.28 | $31.60 |
| EW3 | Semi-skilled worker, basic wiring | $985.60 | $25.94 | $32.43 |
| EW4 | Pre-trade, experienced data cabler | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| EW5 | Qualified electrician (Cert III), licensed cabler | $1,058.60 | $27.86 | $34.83 |
| EW6 | Experienced electrician, fire alarm technician | $1,098.40 | $28.91 | $36.14 |
| EW7 | Advanced tradesperson, specialist installer | $1,139.20 | $29.98 | $37.48 |
| EW8 | Leading hand, senior specialist | $1,190.40 | $31.33 | $39.16 |
| EW9 | Principal tradesperson, foreman | $1,230.00 | $32.37 | $40.46 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees (Non-Shiftworkers)
| When you work | Penalty | EW5 example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | Base rate (100%) | $27.86/hr |
| Saturday -- first 2 hours | 150% | $41.79/hr |
| Saturday -- after 2 hours | 200% | $55.72/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $55.72/hr |
| Public holiday -- non-continuous shiftworker | 250% | $69.65/hr |
| Public holiday -- continuous shiftworker | 312.5% | $87.06/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 150% | $41.79/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 200% | $55.72/hr |
Shiftworkers
| When you work | Penalty | EW5 example |
|---|---|---|
| Day shift | Base rate (100%) | $27.86/hr |
| Afternoon or night shift | 115% | $32.04/hr |
| Permanent night shift | 130% | $36.22/hr |
| Continuous shiftwork (Mon-Sun) | 125% | $34.83/hr |
| Non-successive afternoon or night -- first 2 hours | 150% | $41.79/hr |
| Non-successive afternoon or night -- after 2 hours | 200% | $55.72/hr |
| Saturday | 150% | $41.79/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $55.72/hr |
| Public holiday (continuous shiftworker) | 312.5% | $87.06/hr |
| Public holiday (non-continuous shiftworker) | 250% | $69.65/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | EW5 example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% (casual loading) | $34.83/hr |
| Saturday | 175% | $48.76/hr |
| Sunday | 225% | $62.69/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% | $76.62/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the ordinary hours for electrical contractors?
Ordinary hours are 38 per week or an average of 38 per week over a roster cycle. The standard span is 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Many electrical contractors start early (6:00am or 7:00am) to work on commercial and residential sites before they become occupied. Saturday morning work (before noon) may form part of ordinary hours by agreement.
2. Do continuous shiftworkers get higher public holiday rates?
Yes. Continuous shiftworkers (those rostered across all days including weekends and public holidays as part of normal operations) receive 312.5% of the base rate on public holidays. This is significantly higher than the 250% that applies to non-continuous shiftworkers and day workers. This higher rate reflects the expectation that continuous shiftworkers will regularly work on public holidays.
3. What are the apprentice pay rates for electrical apprentices?
Apprentice pay rates depend on whether you are an adult apprentice (21 or over at commencement) or a junior apprentice, and whether your apprenticeship started before or after 1 January 2014. Apprentice rates are set as a percentage of the qualified tradesperson (EW5) rate, increasing each year. A 4th year junior apprentice typically earns around 80-90% of the qualified rate. Adult apprentices receive higher percentages.
4. Are data cablers classified the same as electricians?
Not necessarily. Data and communications cable installers are classified based on their qualifications and the complexity of their work. A licensed cabler with a Certificate III may be classified at EW5 alongside qualified electricians. However, an entry-level data cable puller without formal qualifications would be classified at EW1 or EW2. The classification depends on the actual work, not the job title.
5. What is the minimum engagement for casual electrical workers?
Casual employees must be engaged for a minimum of 4 consecutive hours per shift. At EW5 casual rate ($34.83/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $139.32 gross. This applies regardless of whether the work is on a residential, commercial, or industrial site.
Check Your Rate
Not sure if you are being paid correctly? Use our free pay rate calculator to check your exact rate based on your classification level, employment type, and shift pattern.
Enter your details and get an instant breakdown of what you should be earning -- including penalty rates, overtime, and shift loadings. Every result cites the specific award clause so you can verify it yourself.
Schema Markup Suggestions
FAQ Schema (FAQPage)
Apply FAQPage schema to the 5 FAQ questions and answers above.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What are the ordinary hours for electrical contractors under this award?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Ordinary hours are 38 per week or an average of 38 per week over a roster cycle. The standard span is 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday."
}
}
]
}
Breadcrumb Schema
Home > Awards > Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award (MA000025)
Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.