How much does an electrician cost in Melbourne? Rates, common jobs and the paperwork

Electrical work is one job you can’t do yourself and can’t easily price yourself. You can see a tap leaking. You can’t see what’s behind the switchboard. That makes electrician quotes hard to judge, and it’s why two sparkies can quote very different amounts for what looks like the same job.

This guide gives you the price ranges you’ll see in Melbourne, explains why quotes differ, and covers the Victorian paperwork you’re entitled to. Price figures come from the hipages cost guide (updated 8 January 2026), which is based on national and state averages from its platform. They’re a guide only. The certificate rules are from Energy Safe Victoria, checked in October 2026.

How Melbourne electricians charge

Most electricians use one of three pricing methods:

• Service fee plus hourly rate. A fee to come out, which often covers the first 30 minutes, then an hourly rate charged in increments (hipages mentions 15-minute increments).
• No call-out fee, dearer first hour. Some sparkies skip the call-out fee and charge more for the first hour instead.
• Fixed price per job. Common for standard jobs like a power point, downlight or smoke alarm.

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The hipages state averages sit a little above its own national range, so treat all of these as rough. After-hours and emergency calls usually cost more.

Common job prices

These are hipages’ national averages for common household jobs, including labour and basic materials unless noted.

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We’ve left switchboard upgrades out of this table. hipages’ national figure for them is well below what Melbourne electricians publish, so we’ve given Melbourne figures in the switchboard section below.

Use these to sense-check a quote, not to argue with one. A power point in a double brick wall, an old house with no ceiling access, or a switchboard that needs replacing before new circuits can be added will all push prices up.

Why quotes differ so much

• Access. Ceiling space, wall type and whether cables can be run without cutting in.
• The age of the house. Older wiring and switchboards may need upgrading before new work can go on.
• What’s included. Fittings, the certificate, removal of old gear and patching. Ask.
• Time and urgency. Same-day and after-hours work costs more.
• Licensing and insurance. A properly licensed and insured contractor carries costs that a cash-only operator doesn’t. Our tradie insurance guide explains what cover a trade business should hold.

The Certificate of Electrical Safety

In Victoria, a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) is a legal document that records the electrical work done at your property. Energy Safe Victoria says the electrician must give the customer a copy, as well as lodging it with Energy Safe.

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Energy Safe Victoria also says:

• An electrician can’t refuse to issue a COES for any reason, including payment issues or contract disputes.
• For prescribed work, check the inspector who signs the inspection section has actually attended your property. Inspection should be done within 8 business days of the work being completed.
• Contractors may charge you for the certificate and a handling fee, but should explain it.
• If you didn’t get one, you can ask Energy Safe to search for it, or lodge a complaint for work done in the last three years.

Bigger jobs: switchboards, solar and batteries

Some of the most expensive electrical jobs are also the ones with the most paperwork. In Victoria, work on consumer mains, the main switchboard, the meter box and solar or battery systems is prescribed work. Energy Safe Victoria says:

• It must be inspected by an independent Licensed Electrical Inspector, which your electrician organises.
• It can’t be turned on, or left on, until it has been inspected.
• The inspection should happen within 8 business days of the work being finished.

That’s why a switchboard upgrade can take longer than you expect, and why the quote may include an inspection cost.

hipages’ national guide says to expect about $500 to $1,200 for a new switchboard. Melbourne electricians’ own 2026 price guides are higher:

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Taken together, budget about $1,000 to $2,500 for a straightforward single-phase board in Melbourne, and more if the consumer mains, three-phase supply, meter panel or asbestos backing need work. These are indicative ranges from each business’s own website, checked 19 October 2026, not quotes. Only Outlook Electrical says its prices include GST.

What a good electrician quote includes

A clear quote saves arguments later. Look for:

• the business name, ABN and the Registered Electrical Contractor details
• a description of each item of work, with quantities (for example, three double power points)
• fittings and materials, and whether you’re supplying any
• the certificate and any inspection cost
• call-out, labour and any after-hours rates
• how long the price is valid, and the payment terms

hipages also suggests asking whether the electrician is licensed and insured, whether they can give a written quote, and whether they have references you can follow up. Those are good questions for any tradie.

After-hours and emergency calls

A tripped safety switch that won’t reset, a burning smell or sparks from a power point are worth a same-day call. Turn the power off at the switchboard if it’s safe to do so, and call a licensed electrician. Emergency work usually costs more than a booked job, so ask for the call-out fee and hourly rate before they head out, and whether the price changes after a certain time of night.

For anything that can wait, book it in normal hours. You’ll pay less, and you’ll have time to get a second quote.

Need a plumber as well? Our Melbourne plumber cost guide covers call-out fees, hourly rates and the plumbing compliance certificate.

How to get a fair price

1. Get two or three written quotes for anything bigger than a single small job.
2. Describe the job clearly. Photos of the switchboard and the area help the sparky quote accurately.
3. Ask what’s included: fittings, certificate, making good, rubbish removal.
4. Check the licence. In Victoria, the electrician must work for a Registered Electrical Contractor. Our guide to checking a tradie shows how to check licences in every state.
5. Don’t pay the lot up front. A deposit for materials on bigger jobs is normal. Full payment before work starts isn’t.
6. Ask for the COES when the job’s finished.

For electricians reading this

If you’re the sparky, the fastest way to look professional on price is a clear, itemised quote with the certificate shown as a line item, and an “on the way” text before you arrive. Our ServiceM8 review covers a job app that does both on its free plan.

Next step: list every electrical job you need done, photograph your switchboard, and send the list to two or three licensed electricians for a single combined quote.