The Different Types of Electricians in Australia
Are you an electrical apprentice wondering what your career will look like after your apprenticeship? Understanding the different types of electricians can help you decide which path aligns with your interests and career goals.
Electrical Group Training (EGT) is the largest employer of electrical apprentices in Western Australia, providing opportunities across various industries. In this guide, we explore some of the different types of electricians in Australia, their roles, and the industries they serve.
Being placed with a host employer is an important part of an apprentices training and shaping their future career. Different workplaces shape different skillsets, and understanding the main types of electricians can help you decide which environment and specialisation may be the best fit for your future.
For host employers, partnering with EGT also ensures access to apprentices who are gaining diverse, industry-relevant experience. This creates a stronger skills pipeline for your business, reduces recruitment overheads, and helps you grow your workforce with apprentices who are already suited to your operating environment.
The Main Different Types of Electricians
Whilst there are a host of specialisations an electrician may wish to work in, overall there are only three main ‘areas’ of work that an electrician may specialise in. These are:
Residential Electrician
A residential electrician specialises in installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems within homes and apartment buildings. Their responsibilities include:
- Installing and repairing wiring, lighting fixtures, and electrical outlets.
- Diagnosing electrical issues in homes.
- Upgrading electrical systems to meet safety standards.
- Working on heating and cooling systems.
Commercial Electrician
A commercial electrician works on commercial buildings, such as offices, shopping centres, and schools. Their job involves:
- Installing and maintaining electrical systems in commercial spaces.
- Troubleshooting electrical components in businesses.
- Handling large-scale electrical installations.
- Working with emergency lighting systems and security wiring.
Industrial Electrician
An industrial electrician focuses on electrical systems within factories, manufacturing plants, and industrial facilities. Responsibilities include:
- Maintaining and repairing industrial electrical machinery.
- Working with high-voltage systems.
- Troubleshooting electrical issues in production environments.
- Installing and maintaining electrical components in automated systems.
Specialisations
Whilst the three above are the standard avenues for electricians in Australia, there are also some specialist types of electricians, and areas which electricians may like to specialise in throughout their career.
Construction Electricians
Construction electricians specialise in work on and the installation of electrical systems in newly built structures, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Their work involves:
- Wiring buildings from scratch.
- Ensuring compliance with electrical codes and safety regulations.
- Installing lighting, power distribution systems, and circuit breakers.
Maintenance Electrician
A maintenance electrician is responsible for the ongoing inspection, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems. This role is crucial in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting routine electrical system maintenance.
- Diagnosing and fixing electrical faults.
- Ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Emergency Electricians
Emergency electricians provide 24/7 electrical services for urgent electrical problems, such as power outages, faulty wiring, and electrical fires. Their role includes:
- Responding quickly to electrical emergencies.
- Repairing faulty electrical components to restore power.
- Ensuring the safety of electrical systems.
Appliance Electricians
Appliance electricians specialise in installing and repairing household and commercial appliances, such as ovens, refrigerators, and air conditioning units. Their job includes:
- Diagnosing electrical faults in appliances.
- Replacing damaged electrical components.
- Ensuring electrical appliances function efficiently.
Renewable Energy Electricians
Solar panel electricians install and maintain renewable energy appliances such as solar energy systems in homes and businesses. Their responsibilities include:
- Installing solar panels and battery storage systems.
- Connecting solar systems to the electrical grid.
- Performing maintenance and troubleshooting on solar power systems.
Automotive Electricians
An automotive electrician works on electrical systems in vehicles, including cars, trucks, and heavy machinery. Responsibilities include:
- Diagnosing and repairing electrical faults in vehicles.
- Installing and maintaining vehicle lighting and electronic systems.
- Performing vehicle diagnostics and troubleshooting.
What Type of Electrician Gets Paid the Most?
Salaries vary depending on specialisation and experience. Typically, industrial electricians, and solar panel electricians earn higher wages due to their expertise and licensing requirements.
Emergency electricians also command higher rates due to the urgency of their work.
What is the Most Common Type of Electrician?
The most common electricians in Australia include residential, commercial, and industrial electricians. These fields offer plenty of job opportunities and career progression options.
Getting Placed With The Right Host Employer
When you begin an apprenticeship with EGT, you’re not just learning the trade, you’re gaining access to a wide network of host employers across residential, commercial and industrial settings. This means you can be placed with businesses that match your interests, and even rotate through different worksites to discover which area of the electrical industry suits you best.
For many apprentices, this exposure is what helps them decide whether they want to pursue residential work, large-scale commercial projects, or industrial and mining environments. You’re able to explore these pathways early, while still completing your apprenticeship, instead of waiting until you’re licensed.
It’s also a major benefit for host employers, who can access motivated apprentices that already have experience across different sectors, bringing in broader technical knowledge, safer work habits, and faster site readiness. Employers gain a steady pipeline of talent, and apprentices gain real-world insight into where they want to specialise.
Kickstart Your Career with Real On-the-Job Experience
EGT connects you with host employers across WA so you can gain hands-on experience, explore different electrical environments, and find the specialisation that suits you best.
Learn more about becoming an EGT apprentice.
Looking for Apprentices? Build Your Workforce with EGT
EGT supports host employers by matching apprentices to the needs of your business, reducing recruitment workload, and providing a reliable pipeline of skilled workers. We handle employment, mentoring support and admin, so you can focus on productivity while developing the next generation of electricians.
