How To Become an Electrician In Australia: A Beginner's Guide

Are you looking for a high-paid trades job that offers plenty of scope for flexibility and stability? It would be best if you considered becoming an electrician.

The job of an electrician is practical, but it also requires you to use your brain, making it a perfect choice for those interested in technical topics and looking for an intellectual challenge. Furthermore, this job is excellent for people who want to avoid being tied to a desk.

Working with electricity also has a risk factor, so you must always be vigilant. You may have to deal with wiring, cables, mounting switchboards, and diagnosing and fixing faults, so you must strictly adhere to health and safety regulations.

So if you have what it takes to be a successful sparky, read the post below and learn how to become a licensed and qualified electrician in Australia. This post will discuss what training you need to get started in the Australian electrical industry. So keep reading.

1. What Does an Electrician Do?

The primary job of an electrician involves the following:

• Testing and installing new systems.

• Diagnosing and fixing electrical faults.

• Maintaining electronic systems and equipment in commercial, industrial, and domestic settings.

Electricians may also work on distribution equipment and electrical transmission.

Additionally, electricians use various power and hand tools to get the job done. These must-have electrician tools may include saws and drills, wire strippers, and diagnostic equipment.

2. Major Duties and Tasks of an Electrician

An electrician's daily tasks and duties vary, depending on their chosen specialisation. However, here are some of the most common responsibilities that an electrician performs:

• Testing and installing electrical systems and their components.

• Repairing and maintaining electrical appliances.

• Replacing and repairing defective parts and faulty wiring.

• Laying out and measuring installation reference points.

• Examining wiring diagrams, blueprints, and other specifications to determine methods and sequences of operation.

• Installing and positioning electrical switchboards.

• Cutting, selecting, and connecting cables and wires to connectors or terminals.

• Testing continuity of the circuit.

• Using electronic or electrical test instruments to diagnose or trace faults.

• Connecting electrical systems to the power supply.

• Removing potential electrical hazards.

3. What Are The Skills Required To Become an Electrician In Australia?

Working as an electrician offers you a brilliant range of expertise at work. The job requires considerable skills like logical thinking, technical knowledge, and the ability to do practical tasks.

Additionally, you must know about circuits, electricity, and how it operates to maintain safety. It would help if you also had a sharp analytical mind to detect faults.

All in all, the work of an electrician is potentially risky, mainly if he is incautious or careless. As an electrician, you must follow the techniques you learn and the health and safety protocols.

Furthermore, you must communicate well with others and work independently without supervision. You should also know how to read, perceive, and follow electrical diagrams carefully.

Here are some of the skill requirements for an electrician:

• Aptitude for electronics and mechanics.

• A thorough technical understanding.

• Strong hand-eye coordination and good eyesight.

• Precise and detail-oriented.

• Able to think logically and possess diagnostic ability.

• Good communication skills and troubleshooter.

• Able to work both as a part of a team and independently.

• Able to cope with physically demanding work.

4. What Are The Educational and Training Requirements For an Electrician In Australia?

Usually, you need to complete your apprenticeship or traineeship to become an electrician in Australia. Electrician apprenticeship requirements in Australia may differ from one sector to the other, but most employers require you to have a Year 10 qualification, or they may even ask for Year 12.

Here are some of the options that you can consider if you want to become an electrician in Australia:

• You can enrol into a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (UEE22011) course. This is the best way to know whether becoming an electrician is a career path that you would want to take up. 

• You can apply for an electrical apprenticeship, which generally lasts four years. It may include formal training to achieve a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30811) through a registered training organisation. 

Additional Information:

Once your traineeship or apprenticeship is complete, you must apply for an electrician's license. 

Remember, as registration and licensing requirements can differ between states and territories, you must ensure to check with the relevant licensing authority or department in your state or territory.

5. How To Find an Electrician Apprenticeship?

As a trainee or apprentice, you enter into a professional training arrangement with an employer that allows you to complete your training and receive a nationally recognised certification.

This is where you spend time learning new skills, working and getting professionally trained by a registered training provider.

One of the best ways to find a job as an electrical apprentice is to look for a local energy provider in your area and ask them in person if you can work for them as an apprentice. 

You will find several energy contractors across Australia who offers paid apprenticeship programs to become an electrician. For most apprenticeship organisations, the only entry requirement is that you should have Australian citizenship with a high school degree.

You can also visit the Australian Apprenticeships support network to help you find an apprenticeship anywhere in Australia.

If you know someone who is a professional and a registered electrician, you can ask if you can join them for a few hours every week and look at what they do while working. 

They might even help you to connect with co-workers or other people in the electrical industry. A lot of people launch their electrical careers through personal contacts.

Remember, showing interest and commitment can go a long way and help you express your ambitions and beliefs to a potential employer.

6. How Long is an Electrician Apprenticeship?

Apprentices and traineeships in Australia usually take one to four years to complete. 

However, electrician aspirants must remain in the trade for at least four years to get an A Grade electrician license and work without supervision.

7. Steps To Become an Electrician In Australia

If you want to become an electrician in Australia, here is a step-by-step guide you need to follow:

Step 1: Apply For an Apprenticeship

In Australia, the journey to becoming an electrician starts with an apprenticeship. This is one of the best ways to learn about becoming an electrician. When you look for an apprenticeship, modify your application accordingly. 

You can highlight the most relevant experiences you have gained and focus on all your strengths. Furthermore, you can also consider applying for a general electrician course before the apprenticeship. This will reflect your commitment to the industry.

Step 2: Apply for an Electrician Licence

Once you have completed your apprenticeship, it's time to apply for an electrician licence through your local authority. You can work as an electrician without supervision when you get the licence.

Just check what you can do to get an electrician licence before you start training. This way, you can prepare for success and get the best results.

Step 3: Get Experience

After completing your electrician training and getting your licence, it is crucial to start building your experience. You must polish your skills and gain knowledge about the vast electrical industry to get better job opportunities.

Step 4: Consider Specialisation

In Australia, you will find electricians working in almost all sectors. Therefore, when gaining experience, you can consider a specialisation in a particular field, depending on your preferred work environment. This will help you to build your strengths and get the desired job. 

Here are a few specialisations you can consider:

• Electronics and Communications Technician: You generally work as an electronics and communications technician in the telecommunication department. This may involve operating an extensive network of wires we primarily use for our energy needs. Alternatively, this could mean working with audiovisual, broadcast, or medical equipment. All in all, this is a fascinating field with various job opportunities. 

• Electrical Motor Winding Tradesperson: As an electrical motor winding tradesperson, you specifically work with machinery and appliances. You mostly spend your time repairing or installing them. This profession is in high demand in Australia, allowing you to find work across different industries. You can find work on many worksites, including commercial settings, factors, or domestic residences. 

• Electronics Technician in the Army: In this field, you get to work with the Australian army and specialise in repairing and serving military equipment. This field allows you to complete your training within the military and undertake an army-specific specialisation, such as an armament fitter. 

8. Employment Opportunities For an Electrician in Australia 

Electricians in Australia can work in various fields, including construction, manufacturing, water and energy supply, transport and storage, minerals, mining, and commercial and domestic electronics retail and service. Some even work with government organisations; others get hired by contractors or work independently.

The industry's IT and data communication facets are also becoming extremely relevant as emerging technologies transform how organisations work. Recent developments in data communication and home automation indicate that the technological transition in the electrical industry will continue to advance.

Besides, there are ample opportunities to work as an electrician in the renewable energy sector and install and design solar power (photovoltaic) systems. You get additional training to work in this field.
 

If you seek promotion to managerial, supervisory, engineering, or technician positions, you must get further training and gain relevant experience. Additionally, with some professional training and experience, electricians can further apply to obtain a contractor licence and operate a business.

9. What are the Working Conditions for an Electrician?

You will find electricians working in various settings like private homes, workshops, and factories. Their job profile may require them to stand for long hours, work in confined spaces, and interact with the public. 

Also, they might have to work on towers, masts, and roofs. When working as an electrician, you should be aware of all the safety protocols and use protective gear to reduce exposure to hazards.

10. Is The Job of an Electrician Hard?

If you are asking yourself, is an electrician a hard job? And wondering whether it is the right career for you or not? You should know that no job is difficult if you get professional training and have the right mindset. Try specialising in a particular field and focus on taking one step at a time.

An apprenticeship program is the best way to learn how to become an electrician. You work full-time with an electrical contractor as an apprentice and take a minimum training of two to four hours per week. 

Training may involve practical learning of certain aspects you learned in your electrical course. This will further make everything easy when you start working as an electrician.

11. How Much do Electricians Get Paid in Australia?

In Australia, the average weekly electrician's salary is around $1,400. As a part-time worker, you can expect to earn between $1200 - $1300. 

According to PayScale, the average annual income of an electrician in Australia is between AU$ 45,044 - AU$99,719. All in all, more experienced electrical workers are in high demand and can expect to earn high salaries. 

Now that you know how to become an electrician in Australia, you are ready to look for electrical traineeships and apprenticeships in the field of your choice.  

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