Most Australian tradies charge $35–$200 an hour in 2026. Plumbers and electricians usually add a call-out fee of $50–$150, and after-hours work costs $130–$280/hr for an electrician and $150–$300/hr for a plumber. The table below sets out hourly rates, call-out fees, day rates and after-hours rates for 17 trades.
Tradie hourly rates, call-out fees and day rates by trade
| Trade | Hourly rate | Call-out / minimum | Day rate | After-hours hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $80–$200/hr | $60–$150 | — | $150–$300/hr |
| Electrician | $80–$150/hr | $50–$150 | $700–$1,050 | $130–$280/hr |
| Gas fitter | $100–$200/hr | $80–$180 | — | — |
| Handyman | $50–$120/hr | $80–$150 | $380–$900 | — |
| Carpenter | $55–$130/hr | — | $400–$900 | — |
| Painter | $40–$100/hr | — | $350–$650 | — |
| Tiler | $50–$100/hr | — | $500–$800 | — |
| Plasterer | $50–$120/hr | — | $350–$850 | — |
| Bricklayer | $45–$120/hr | — | $450–$900 | — |
| Landscaper | $55–$110/hr | — | — | — |
| Gardener | $45–$100/hr | — | — | — |
| Arborist | $70–$180/hr | — | — | — |
| House cleaner | $35–$80/hr | — | — | — |
| Window cleaner | $40–$80/hr | — | — | — |
| Pressure washing | $40–$100/hr | — | — | — |
| Removalists (2 movers + truck) | $120–$220/hr | — | — | — |
| Locksmith | — (priced per job) | Lockout $120–$300 business hours; $200–$500 after hours | — | — |
National ranges. Prices checked October 2026. After-hours rates exclude the call-out fee. A dash means the trade does not usually quote that way.
What a call-out fee covers
A call-out or service fee pays for the tradie’s travel and the first part of the visit. What it includes varies: some tradies count the first 15 to 60 minutes of labour inside the fee, others charge it on top of the hourly rate from the moment they arrive.
- Ask what the fee includes before you book, and whether it is credited against the job if you go ahead.
- Ask how time is billed after the first period: by the hour, half hour or quarter hour.
- Check whether evenings, weekends and public holidays move the job onto the after-hours rate.
Hourly vs fixed price: which is cheaper?
Hourly rates suit small or uncertain jobs, such as finding a leak or a fault, where nobody can say how long it will take. For a defined job, like a new hot water system, a set of downlights or painting a room, a fixed quote is usually safer: you know the total before work starts, and the tradie carries the risk of it running long.
If you are comparing an hourly quote with a fixed one, ask the hourly tradie for an estimate of the hours and the materials, then compare totals. Our guide to comparing tradie quotes has a line-by-line checklist.
Rates differ by city
These are national ranges. Prices in your city can sit above or below them, so check the local guide before you book.
Plumber rates by city: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Newcastle, Geelong, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Wollongong, Byron Bay, Central Coast, Cairns.
Electrician rates by city: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Newcastle, Geelong, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Wollongong, Byron Bay, Central Coast, Cairns.