How Much Does an Electrician Cost in Sydney? (2025 Price Guide)

Sydney electricians typically charge a combination of a call-out fee and an hourly labour rate. The call-out fee covers travel, the first 30 to 60 minutes on site, and van stock. The hourly rate applies to time beyond the call-out period.

Standard business hours (Monday to Friday, 7am–5pm): call-out fees range from $80 to $150, with hourly rates of $100 to $150 per hour plus GST. Most simple jobs (a single power point, a light fitting) fall within the call-out fee with minimal additional hours.

After-hours and weekends attract a premium. Evening call-outs (5pm–10pm on weekdays) typically run $150–$250 call-out with rates of $130–$180/hour. Night and weekend work can reach $200–$350 call-out with $150–$200/hour or more.

Emergency call-outs — where the electrician must attend within one to two hours — carry the highest premiums. Expect $250–$500 for the call-out alone, especially outside business hours.

The following are typical all-inclusive job prices in Sydney for standard residential work, covering labour, materials, and the Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW):

• Replace or install a single power point: $150–$250
• Install double power point: $180–$280
• Install USB power point: $200–$320
• Replace or install a light fitting (standard): $120–$200
• Install ceiling fan with light: $250–$450 (more if new wiring required)
• Install downlights — per light (replacing existing): $80–$120 each
• Install smoke alarm (hardwired): $150–$250 each
• Safety switch (RCD) installation: $150–$350 per circuit
• Switchboard upgrade (full RCD/RCBO upgrade): $800–$2,500
• Install air conditioning circuit: $400–$800
• Install oven or cooktop circuit: $350–$600
• Install garden or outdoor lighting circuit: $400–$1,200

EV charger installation costs vary primarily based on whether the home has single-phase or three-phase power and the distance from the switchboard to the garage or carport.

Single-phase EV charger installation (7kW): $800–$1,800 all-inclusive, depending on cable run length and switchboard space availability.

Three-phase EV charger installation (11–22kW): $1,500–$3,500, reflecting the higher cost of three-phase wiring and equipment.

Solar system electrical connection work (by the electrician, not the panel installer): $400–$900 for the inverter connection, new circuit, and metering work. Level 2 ASP work for a gross or net metering connection adds $500–$1,200.

Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) work — which involves the network side of the meter — carries different pricing to standard electrical work, reflecting the specialist licence, equipment, and network utility involvement.

Service fuse upgrade (increasing supply capacity): $800–$1,800 depending on the extent of work required and whether Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy involvement is needed.

New overhead service connection: $1,500–$3,500.

Underground service connection: $3,000–$8,000 depending on trench length and council requirements.

Off-peak metering installation or reconnection: $400–$900.

Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy have standard charge schedules for network connection work that affect the overall cost — your Level 2 ASP electrician should provide a detailed scope-of-work quote that itemises the network charges separately from their own labour.

Several factors drive price variation beyond the base job type:

• Time of day and day of week — after-hours and weekend premiums are significant.
• Access difficulty — working in a ceiling cavity, under a suspended floor, or in a commercial tenancy with restricted hours costs more.
• Age of wiring — older homes with rubber-sheathed or aluminium wiring require more care and may need additional remediation to bring connection points up to standard.
• Switchboard space — if a new circuit requires a switchboard extension or replacement, this adds cost.
• Distance from the CBD — outer western and south-western suburbs typically attract slightly lower rates due to lower contractor overheads.
• Urgency — emergency call-outs attract a substantial premium. Non-urgent jobs booked in advance are always cheaper.

Always get at least two or three quotes for any job above $500 in value. Quotes should be in writing and itemise labour, materials, and any expected third-party costs (such as network utility fees for Level 2 work).

Be wary of quotes that are significantly lower than the market rate — this may indicate unlicensed work, uninsured contractors, or the intention to add costs once work has begun. Equally, the most expensive quote is not always the best — look for clear communication, willingness to explain the scope, and a track record of issuing CCEWs.

All electricians in the Connect Electric network provide free, itemised quotes. Because we pre-verify their licence and insurance, you can compare quotes on price and service quality without worrying about whether the tradesperson is properly qualified.

It should be — the Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work is a legal requirement for all electrical work in NSW, and the cost of preparing it is typically included in the electrician's standard job pricing. If a quote explicitly excludes the CCEW or the contractor indicates they do not issue them, this is a serious red flag.

Do not accept electrical work without a CCEW. It is your legal protection, your insurance documentation, and your evidence of compliance. Every licensed electrician is obligated to provide one.