Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award (MA000025) from 1 July 2026: 10 classifications on 10 distinct hourly rates, with casual rates.
This page sets out the published minimum pay rates under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award. You will find the minimum rate for each electrical worker grade, along with casual rates and the penalty rates that apply to overtime, weekend and public holiday work.
The Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award covers businesses that install, commission and maintain electrical and communications systems on contract. That includes electrical contractors working on construction sites, commercial fit-outs and domestic wiring, as well as firms handling electronic, instrumentation and data and communications work. The workforce runs from apprentices and electrical assistants up through licensed electricians, electrical fitters, cable jointers and instrumentation technicians, with grades reflecting trade qualifications and responsibility. Rates are set across the electrical worker grades, capturing both the on-site trades and the technicians who keep electronic and communications equipment running.
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Casual/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical worker grade 1 | $26.44 | $1,004.90 | $52,395 | $34.41 |
| Electrical worker grade 2 | $26.66 | $1,013.10 | $52,823 | $34.69 |
| Electrical worker grade 3 | $27.55 | $1,046.90 | $54,585 | $35.80 |
| Electrical worker grade 4 | $28.44 | $1,080.60 | $56,342 | $36.91 |
| Electrical worker grade 5 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $38.91 |
| Electrical worker grade 6 | $30.38 | $1,154.30 | $60,185 | $40.06 |
| Electrical worker grade 7 | $32.13 | $1,221.10 | $63,668 | $42.26 |
| Electrical worker grade 8 | $33.77 | $1,283.10 | $66,901 | $44.30 |
| Electrical worker grade 9 | $34.46 | $1,309.50 | $68,277 | $45.18 |
| Electrical worker grade 10 | $37.24 | $1,415.00 | $73,778 | $48.64 |
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award run from $26.44 an hour (Electrical worker grade 1) to $37.24 (Electrical worker grade 10), a spread of $10.80 an hour or 40.8%, $410.10 a week full-time.
The award’s 10 classifications in this dataset share 10 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Electrical worker grade 1 is paid $34.41 an hour, 25% above the all-purpose hourly rate of $27.53, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Electrical worker grade 1:
The hourly rate rose $1.49 (6%) from $24.95 on 30 June 2026 to $26.44, and the full-time weekly rate rose $56.90.
Penalty rates
| Day | Electrical | Median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public holiday | 250% | 250% | 1 of 22 |
Every Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building and Construction General On-site Award | Level 1 (CW/ECW 1), level a | $26.67 | — |
| Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award | Vehicle RS&R industry employee — Level 1 (R1) | $25.74 | 200% |
The Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award entry rate is $0.23 an hour lower than the Building and Construction General On-site Award entry rate of $26.67.
The Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award entry rate is $0.70 an hour higher than the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award entry rate of $25.74.
Allowances
The pay database lists 18 wage-related allowances and 10 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry allowance | $41.41 | per week | yes |
| Electrician's licence allowance | $40.29 | per week | yes |
| Leading hands allowance—in charge of—3 to 10 employees | $48.12 | per week | yes |
| Leading hands allowance—in charge of—11 to 20 employees | $67.15 | per week | yes |
| Leading hands allowance—in charge of—more than 20 employees | $90.65 | per week | yes |
| Nominee allowance | $102.96 | per week | yes |
| Electrical distribution line maintenance and tree clearing allowance | $86.17 | per week | yes |
| Rate for ordering materials—more than 4 days' engagement | $22.38 | per week | yes |
| Rate for ordering materials—less than 4 days' engagement | $4.48 | per day | yes |
| Multistorey allowance—0 to 15 floors | $0.77 | per hour | no |
| Multistorey allowance—16 to 30 floors | $0.94 | per hour | no |
| Multistorey allowance—31 to 45 floors | $1.44 | per hour | no |
| Multistorey allowance—46 to 60 floors | $1.83 | per hour | no |
| Multistorey allowance—more than 60 floors | $2.33 | per hour | no |
| Towers allowance—construction over 15 metres in height | $0.94 | per hour | no |
| Towers allowance—each further 15 metres | $0.94 | per hour | no |
| First aid allowance | $23.50 | per week | no |
| Availability for duty | $98.48 | per week | no |
| Tool allowance | $22.31 | per week | yes |
| Meal allowance | $20.60 | per meal | no |
| Compensation for loss of tools (maximum amount) | $383.67 | per occasion | no |
| Motor vehicle allowance | $1.00 | per km | no |
| Travel time allowance | $8.69 | per day at work and RDO | no |
| Start and/or finish on job site—no transport provided | $28.26 | per day | no |
| Start and/or finish on job site—transport provided | $5.07 | per day | no |
| Motor allowance—for use of private vehicle for business purposes | $1.00 | per km | no |
| Living away allowance | $720.10 | per week | no |
| Meal allowance—meals not included in fares or accommodation | $20.60 | per meal | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.