Typical duties
- Install wiring, switchboards, lighting and power systems
- Test circuits and equipment for faults
- Diagnose and repair electrical breakdowns
- Carry out planned maintenance on motors, drives and controls
- Read circuit diagrams and wiring plans
- Isolate and test dead before any electrical work
- Issue compliance paperwork for completed work
- Work safely at heights and around live plant
Skills, licences & tickets
- Electrician's (A Grade) licence from Energy Safe Victoria
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
- Fault finding on motors, drives, PLCs and control circuits
- Reading circuit diagrams
- Isolation, lockout and testing procedures
- Working at heights and elevated work platform tickets where needed
An electrician installs, tests, maintains and repairs electrical systems and equipment. This electrician job description covers the daily work, the licence you need in Victoria and the pay, so you can see how the trade runs.
Electricians work on new builds, in factories and warehouses, and on commercial sites. Industrial and maintenance electricians keep production equipment running, while installation electricians fit out new buildings and systems.
What does an electrician do?
An installation electrician reads plans, runs cable, fits switchboards and connects lighting and power. A maintenance electrician spends more time fault finding on motors, drives, sensors and control circuits so that production starts again quickly.
Every job starts with safe isolation. The electrician switches off, locks out and tests that the circuit is dead before touching it. After the work, they test the installation and complete the compliance paperwork.
Installation and maintenance work
- Installation covers new wiring, switchboards, lighting and power outlets.
- Maintenance covers breakdown repairs and planned servicing in factories and plants.
- Industrial and controls work covers drives, PLCs and automation systems.
Licence and tickets employers look for
In Victoria, electricians hold a licence from Energy Safe Victoria. The Electrician's (A Grade) licence requirements include a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and completion of apprentice training. Employers also ask for working at heights, elevated work platform and site induction tickets, depending on the job.
Pay, hours and employment types
Electricians are offered permanent, contract and labour hire roles, and maintenance work often involves shifts or on-call duties. Pay depends on the award or agreement, such as the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award or a factory agreement.
Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of about $2,191 a week and $55 an hour for electricians in May 2025, in its electricians occupation profile. Your own pay depends on the site, the hours, the allowances and your specialty.
How to become an electrician
The pathway is a four-year apprenticeship with an employer and a training provider. The Victorian electrician apprenticeship guide explains the qualification and the training contract. After you finish, you apply to Energy Safe Victoria for your licence.
Related Resources
- Qualified trades resume template and guide
- Trades and services recruitment in Melbourne
- Licence and ticket tracker
- Maintenance electrician compared with maintenance fitter
- Electrician's A Grade licence from Energy Safe Victoria
- Electricians occupation profile from Jobs and Skills Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to work as an electrician in Victoria?
Yes. Electrical work must be done by a person who holds the right licence from Energy Safe Victoria, or by an apprentice working under supervision.
How long does it take to become an electrician?
An electrician apprenticeship takes about four years full-time. After completing it, you apply for your licence.
What is the difference between an electrician and a maintenance electrician?
Both are licensed. A maintenance electrician focuses on keeping existing equipment running, including motors, drives and controls, while an installation electrician fits new systems.
Is electrical work shift work?
Maintenance and industrial roles often include shifts or on-call cover. Installation roles are more often day work on site.
Verify the Licence, Then Specialise
A current licence is what employers check first, and a specialty such as controls or high voltage is what raises your value after that. When you are ready, see current trade roles on the job board or submit your CV.
