How Much Do I Have to Pay an Electrical Apprentice in WA?
How much you have to pay an apprentice in WA goes beyond their base wage. Employers must follow award rates and also cover extra costs like modern award allowances, trade school fees and textbooks (including standards), recruitment costs, insurance, leave, and administration. With EGT, it doesn’t have to be that complicated - when you hire through a Group Training Organisation (GTO), all expenses are rolled into one simple charge-out fee.
Step 1: Apprentice Wage Structures
For most employers, Electrical apprentice wages are set and revised by Fair Work Australia under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020. Rates vary depending on:
- The apprentice’s year of training (1st–4th year).
- Their age and education level (under or over 21, completed year 12 or not).
- A range of other factors like allowances and the location of your work.
As apprentices gain skills and progress through their training, their pay increases each year. Employers are also responsible for paying penalty rates, overtime, and allowances where applicable.
Step 2: The Extra Costs - The True Cost of Hiring an Apprentice
When hiring directly, the costs don’t stop at the award wage. Employers also need to factor in:
- Superannuation contributions
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Payroll tax obligations
- Annual leave loading, sick leave, and public holiday pay
- TAFE/CET fees, textbooks and standards
- Tool and other allowances
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniforms
- Recruitment and advertising costs including time spent supervising work experience
- Time spent on payroll, bookkeeping, and compliance administration
These additional expenses often surprise employers who focus only on the hourly wage.
Why Many Employers Choose EGT
Hiring through a Group Training Organisation (GTO), like EGT, streamlines the entire process. Instead of managing multiple separate costs, our all-inclusive approach allows host employers to focus on running their business, while EGT manages the complexities of employing apprentices.
The team at EGT includes experts in HR, safety, injury management, workers compensation and payroll, so you can concentrate on your work and transfer your expertise in our trade to our apprentices. EGT also has field officers who guide and mentor our apprentices and help with any performance issues. We also offer placements from two weeks to four years so are ideal for the rise and fall of workload or if the apprentice doesn’t match your business, we can arrange another one.
Discover all the benefits of being a host employer with EGT.
Invest in Apprentices the Smart Way
Hiring an apprentice directly requires more than just paying wages, it means managing a wide range of financial and administrative obligations. By partnering with EGT, host employers can be confident that every compliance box is ticked, while also gaining access to expert support and government funding opportunities.
With EGT, taking on an electrical apprentice is simpler, safer, and more sustainable for your business. Learn more here.
