Overview
All Electricians
-
$1,823 Weekly Pay
-
Strong Future Growth
Electricians (Special Class)
-
90 workers Employment Size
-
Medium skill Skill level rating
-
95% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
51 hours Average full-time
-
39 years Average age
-
0% female Gender Share
Electricians (Special Class) service and repair intricate and complex electrical and electronic circuitry.
You usually need a certificate III in electrotechnology (electrician) to work as an Electrician (Special Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
- Examines blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine sequence and methods of operation.
- Measures and lays out insulation reference points.
- Selects, cuts and connects wire and cable to terminals and connectors.
- Uses electrical and electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults.
- Repairs and replaces faulty wiring and defective parts.
- Positions and installs electrical switchboards.
- Connects electrical systems to power supply.
- Tests continuity of circuit.
Prospects
The number of Electricians (Special Class) stayed about the same over 5 years:
from 60 in 2011 to 90 in 2016.
Caution: These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Many Electricians (Special Class) work in Victoria and South Australia and Western Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Construction; Manufacturing; and Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (95%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 51 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 39 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 0% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Pathways
You usually need a certificate III in electrotechnology (electrician) to work as an Electrician (Special Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Electrotechnology VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
Employers look for Electricians who have good people skills, are reliable and have a strong work ethic.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Building and construction
Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Telecommunications
Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Installation
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Mathematics
Using maths to solve problems.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Extent flexibility
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
Far vision
See details that are far away.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Speech clarity
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Coordinating the work of a team
Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Working with electronic equipment
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Thinking creatively
Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Scheduling work and activities
Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2111.00 - Electricians.
Work Environment
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Health and safety of others
Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Telephone
Talk on the telephone.
-
Dangerous conditions
Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Physically close to people
Work physically close to other people.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Responsible for outcomes
Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
-
Independence
Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
Support
Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
Working conditions
Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
Relationships
Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
Recognition
Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2111.00 - Electricians.
All Electricians
-
$1,823 Weekly Pay
-
Strong Future Growth
Electricians (Special Class)
-
90 workers Employment Size
-
Medium skill Skill level rating
-
95% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
51 hours Average full-time
-
39 years Average age
-
0% female Gender Share
Electricians (Special Class) service and repair intricate and complex electrical and electronic circuitry.
You usually need a certificate III in electrotechnology (electrician) to work as an Electrician (Special Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
- Examines blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine sequence and methods of operation.
- Measures and lays out insulation reference points.
- Selects, cuts and connects wire and cable to terminals and connectors.
- Uses electrical and electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults.
- Repairs and replaces faulty wiring and defective parts.
- Positions and installs electrical switchboards.
- Connects electrical systems to power supply.
- Tests continuity of circuit.
The number of Electricians (Special Class) stayed about the same over 5 years:
from 60 in 2011 to 90 in 2016.
Caution: These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Many Electricians (Special Class) work in Victoria and South Australia and Western Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Construction; Manufacturing; and Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (95%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 51 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 39 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 0% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
You usually need a certificate III in electrotechnology (electrician) to work as an Electrician (Special Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Electrotechnology VET training pathways.
Employers look for Electricians who have good people skills, are reliable and have a strong work ethic.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Building and construction
Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Telecommunications
Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Installation
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Mathematics
Using maths to solve problems.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Extent flexibility
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
Far vision
See details that are far away.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Speech clarity
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Coordinating the work of a team
Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Working with electronic equipment
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Thinking creatively
Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Scheduling work and activities
Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2111.00 - Electricians.
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Health and safety of others
Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Telephone
Talk on the telephone.
-
Dangerous conditions
Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Physically close to people
Work physically close to other people.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Responsible for outcomes
Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
-
Independence
Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
Support
Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
Working conditions
Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
Relationships
Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
Recognition
Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2111.00 - Electricians.