How much does an electrician cost in Sydney?
Electrical work in Sydney comes with a firm legal boundary: you cannot do it yourself. All electrical work in NSW must be performed by a licensed electrician — there's no DIY exception, no matter how simple the task seems. This means understanding what electricians charge matters, because you'll need one for everything from a new powerpoint to rewiring a room.
In 2026, Sydney electricians typically charge between $80 and $130 per hour for standard residential work during business hours. Most quotes from experienced, licensed electricians land around $100–$120/hr. On top of that, expect a call-out fee of $80–$150, which usually covers the first 15–30 minutes of diagnostic time.
However, electrical pricing in Sydney has some quirks compared to other trades. Many electricians prefer fixed-price quoting for defined tasks (a powerpoint install, a switchboard upgrade) rather than open-ended hourly billing. This works in your favour — you know the total before work starts. Where hourly billing persists is in fault-finding and diagnostic work, where the electrician genuinely doesn't know how long it'll take until they investigate.
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician (hourly rate) | $92 | $173 | $132 /hr |
| Call-out / service fee | $57 | $173 | $103 flat |
| New powerpoint installation | $173 | $288 | $207 per point |
| Switchboard upgrade | $575 | $1,380 | $920 per job |
| Ceiling fan installation | $173 | $460 | $288 per fan |
| LED downlight installation | $69 | $138 | $98 per light |
| Safety switch installation | $173 | $402 | $265 per switch |
| Smoke alarm (supply + install) | $92 | $230 | $150 per alarm |
| Rewiring (per room) | $1,150 | $3,450 | $2,070 per room |
| Full house rewire (3-bed) | $9,200 | $23,000 | $13,800 total |
| EV charger installation | $1,150 | $3,450 | $2,300 installed |
| Outdoor lighting | $173 | $575 | $345 per light |
| Fault finding / diagnostics | $173 | $460 | $288 per visit |
| Emergency / after-hours | $173 | $575 | $345 per visit |
Prices include GST. Based on Sydney metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Like most trades in Sydney, electrical work costs more in some areas than others. The variation is driven by property age, demand density, parking, and the type of electrical systems installed.
Inner City & Eastern Suburbs
Older wiring (sometimes original VIR or TPS from the 1940s–60s) means fault-finding takes longer and upgrades are more complex. Many terraces and apartments have undersized switchboards that need upgrading before any new work can proceed. Strata approval may be needed for apartment work, adding 1–2 weeks to timelines.
Western & South-West Sydney
Newer housing stock with modern wiring and larger switchboards. More electricians service these areas, keeping rates competitive. Access is generally straightforward — single and double-storey homes with roof cavities you can actually crawl through. New estates in suburbs like Oran Park and Marsden Park may have builder warranty issues that the original contractor should fix for free.
North Shore & Hills District
Mix of 1960s–80s brick homes and modern builds. Mid-century homes often have aluminium wiring (common 1960s–1970s) which is a fire risk and expensive to replace ($8,000–$15,000+ for a full rewire). If you're buying a home in these areas, an electrical inspection ($200–$400) before purchase can reveal costly surprises.
Northern Beaches
Salt air corrosion is a real factor for exposed electrical fittings, outdoor lighting, and switchboards in garages. Marine-grade components cost more. Steep hillside properties in Avalon, Whale Beach, and Palm Beach often have difficult access that adds to labour time. Premium area means premium expectations — electricians servicing this area tend to be higher-end operators.
Rather than quoting hourly rates in isolation, here's what common electrical jobs cost all-in across Sydney in 2026, including call-out, labour, and materials.
Install a single new powerpoint
One of the most common electrical jobs. If existing wiring is nearby and the switchboard has capacity, it's a 30–45 minute task. If the electrician needs to run new cable through walls or the switchboard needs a new circuit breaker, add $100–$200. Installing an outdoor weatherproof GPO costs more ($200–$350) due to marine-rated fittings and weatherproof covers.
Full switchboard upgrade — old ceramic fuses to modern RCD/safety switches
This is the single most important electrical upgrade you can make in an older Sydney home. If your house still has ceramic fuses or a bakelite switchboard, it doesn't have RCD (safety switch) protection — meaning a faulty appliance could kill you. A standard upgrade to a modern board with safety switches, circuit breakers, and labelling takes 3–5 hours. Larger homes or those needing new sub-mains from the meter box cost more. From November 2024, NSW requires safety switches on all power and lighting circuits in properties being sold, leased, or renovated — this is no longer optional.
Install 6 LED downlights in a living room
Typically $80–$150 per light installed (labour + fitting), depending on whether existing wiring and switching is in place or needs to be run fresh. Recessed downlights in concrete ceilings (common in apartments) cost significantly more than timber-framed ceilings. Quality LED fittings from brands like Clipsal or HPM run $30–$80 each. Cheap imported fittings may not meet Australian standards and can void your insurance.
Ceiling fan installation — replacing an existing light
If there's an existing ceiling rose with power, it's a relatively quick job (45–90 minutes). The catch: not all ceiling boxes can support the weight and vibration of a fan. If the mounting point needs reinforcing or a fan-rated box, add $50–$150. Fan-supplied wiring controllers add another $80–$150 for the wall plate. Don't attempt ceiling fan installation yourself — the combination of electrical work at height is where accidents happen.
Full house rewire — 3-bedroom home
The big one. If your home was built before 1980 and has never been rewired, the wiring is likely degraded, undersized, and potentially dangerous. A full rewire replaces all circuits, installs a modern switchboard, and brings everything to current standards. The cost depends hugely on access (exposed roof cavity vs. concrete slab with no ceiling space), the number of circuits, and how many powerpoints and light fittings you want. Budget 3–7 days for a typical house. This is also the right time to add data cabling, USB powerpoints, outdoor circuits, and EV charger preparation.
Switchboard condition
If your switchboard is old (ceramic fuses), most jobs will require an upgrade first — adding $800–$3,500 before the actual work begins.
Cable runs & access
Running new cables through walls, ceilings, or under floors takes time. Single-storey homes with roof access are cheaper than multi-storey or slab-on-ground.
Compliance requirements
Australian electrical standards change regularly. Older homes may need additional work to meet current codes, even for simple jobs.
Number of points
Electricians often discount per-point rates when you're installing multiple powerpoints, lights, or switches in one visit.
Time of day
After-hours electrical work costs 50–100% more. Unless it's a safety issue, book during business hours.
Materials quality
Premium switches, smart home wiring, and commercial-grade components cost more than standard residential fittings.
Electrical work in NSW is governed by the Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 and enforced by NSW Fair Trading. Here's what matters when you hire an electrician:
Licence verification: Every electrician must hold a current NSW Electrical Contractor Licence or be a qualified electrical tradesperson working under a licenced contractor. Verify at the NSW Fair Trading licence check portal.
Certificate of Compliance (CCEW): After completing most types of electrical work, the electrician must issue a Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work. This certifies the work meets Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules). You should receive a copy — keep it with your property records. If you ever sell the home, buyers and their conveyancers will ask for these.
Safety switches are now mandatory for properties being sold, rented, or renovated in NSW (from November 2024). If you're a landlord or about to sell, budget for this — it's typically $300–$600 per safety switch to retrofit, or $1,500–$2,500 as part of a switchboard upgrade.
Doing it yourself is illegal. Unlike plumbing or painting, there is zero electrical work a homeowner is legally permitted to do in NSW, except changing a light bulb or resetting a tripped breaker. No exceptions for "simple" jobs. Penalties for unlicensed electrical work can reach $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations.
Peak demand (summer): Air conditioning installations spike from November to February. If you want a split system installed, booking in autumn (March–May) can save you 1–3 weeks' wait time and potentially 10–15% on pricing as electricians compete for work during the quieter period.
Storm season (October–March): Lightning strikes, power surges, and storm damage create spikes in emergency call-outs. Surge protectors ($250–$500 installed at the switchboard) are cheap insurance against equipment damage — especially if you have expensive electronics, a home office, or solar inverters.
End of financial year (May–June): Landlords and businesses rush to complete electrical work before June 30 for tax deductions. Wait until July if your job isn't urgent.
Best time to book: April–May and August–September typically offer the shortest wait times and most competitive pricing for non-urgent work.
Two electrical upgrades are surging in demand across Sydney: EV charger installation and solar panel systems. Here's what you need to budget:
EV charger (Level 2, 7kW–22kW): The charger unit itself costs $800–$2,500 depending on brand and features (smart scheduling, load management). Installation labour runs $500–$1,500, depending on how far the charger is from your switchboard and whether your electrical supply has enough capacity. Many Sydney homes on single-phase power (most residential properties) are limited to 7kW charging, which adds about 40–50km of range per hour — plenty for overnight charging. If your switchboard needs an upgrade to accommodate the charger circuit, add $1,200–$2,500.
Solar panel system (6.6kW, typical residential): A quality 6.6kW system with a reputable inverter (Fronius, Enphase, SolarEdge) runs $5,500–$9,000 installed in Sydney after STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates, effectively a government rebate). The electrical work component is substantial — the electrician installs the inverter, connects to your switchboard, fits a solar meter, and handles the Ausgrid connection application. Always use a CEC-accredited installer — this is required for the STC rebate and ensures proper compliance.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, tradie marketplaces (ServiceSeeking, hipages, Airtasker, Service.com.au), industry body data (HIA, Master Builders), and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no financial incentive to inflate or deflate prices. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get at least 3 quotes. Last reviewed February 2026. Read our full methodology →