Qualified Trade Rates
Qualified tradespeople in Australia earn well above the national average, driven by strong demand in residential construction, infrastructure projects, and commercial building. The table below shows typical annual salary ranges for qualified tradies, including base salary and common overtime. Actual earnings vary by state, employer, and whether the worker is employed under an enterprise agreement or the Building and Construction General On-site Award.
| Trade | Salary Range (Annual) |
|---|---|
| Electrician | $80,000 – $110,000 |
| Plumber | $75,000 – $105,000 |
| Carpenter | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Bricklayer | $70,000 – $90,000 |
| Painter | $65,000 – $85,000 |
| Concreter | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Boilermaker | $85,000 – $120,000 |
Boilermakers and electricians command the highest rates due to specialised skills and demand from the mining and heavy industry sectors. Self-employed tradies running their own business can earn significantly more — an experienced plumber or electrician with their own client base may gross $150,000–$250,000 per year, though business costs reduce the net figure. See the Average Salary Australia page for broader comparisons.
Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentice wages in Australia are set as a percentage of the qualified trade rate, increasing each year as the apprentice gains skills and experience. The Building and Construction General On-site Award specifies minimum apprentice rates, though many employers and enterprise agreements pay above these minimums.
| Year | % of Trade Rate | Approx. Annual (Electrician) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ~55% | $44,000 – $49,000 |
| Year 2 | ~65% | $52,000 – $58,000 |
| Year 3 | ~80% | $64,000 – $72,000 |
| Year 4 | ~95% | $76,000 – $86,000 |
Adult Apprentice Rates
Adult apprentices (aged 21 and over) receive higher minimum rates than school-leaver apprentices. Under most awards and enterprise agreements, adult apprentices earn at least the national minimum wage ($24.10/hr) from Year 1, rather than the reduced junior apprentice rate. This recognises that adult apprentices have higher living costs and may have family responsibilities.
Government Incentives
The Australian Government offers incentives to support apprenticeships. The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System provides payments to eligible employers and apprentices, including priority payments for trades experiencing skills shortages. Apprentices in priority trades may receive $5,000–$10,000 in direct payments over the course of their apprenticeship. Additionally, tools and equipment purchased for an apprenticeship are tax-deductible for the apprentice.
Site Allowances
Construction workers receive various allowances on top of their base rate to compensate for the specific conditions of construction work. These allowances are set out in the Building and Construction General On-site Award and enterprise agreements.
| Allowance | Typical Amount | Paid When |
|---|---|---|
| Industry Allowance | $32–$45/day | All on-site construction work |
| Tool Allowance | $20–$35/day | Tradies who supply own tools |
| Height Allowance | $0.60–$1.50/hr | Working above certain heights |
| Confined Space | $0.80–$1.50/hr | Working in confined spaces |
| Travel / Fares | $20–$30/day | Travelling to site beyond set distance |
| First Aid | $3.50–$4.50/day | Designated first aid officer |
On major commercial and infrastructure projects, enterprise agreement site allowances can be significantly higher — $50–$80+ per day on large CBD projects. These allowances can add $8,000–$15,000 per year to a construction worker's income. All allowances are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. Check the Award Rates Guide for more details on construction award provisions.
Overtime in Construction
Overtime is a significant component of construction worker earnings. The Building and Construction General On-site Award sets the following overtime provisions:
- Monday to Friday: Time-and-a-half for the first 2 hours beyond ordinary hours (7.6 hours/day or 38 hours/week), then double time thereafter.
- Saturday: Time-and-a-half for the first 2 hours, then double time for all subsequent hours. A minimum 3-hour engagement applies.
- Sunday: Double time for all hours worked. A minimum 3-hour engagement applies.
- Public Holidays: Double time and a half (2.5x) for all hours worked, with a minimum 4-hour engagement.
A qualified carpenter earning $40/hr base rate who works 5 hours of overtime on a Saturday earns: 2 hours at $60/hr + 3 hours at $80/hr = $360 for the Saturday shift alone. Over a year, regular Saturday work can add $15,000–$25,000 to annual income. Use the Overtime Pay Calculator to model your exact overtime earnings.
Take-Home Pay Examples
Below are take-home pay estimates for common construction and trades roles in FY2025-26, including typical allowances but excluding overtime:
| Role | Gross Annual | Tax + Medicare | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painter | $75,000 | $15,467 | $59,533 |
| Carpenter | $85,000 | $18,467 | $66,533 |
| Electrician | $95,000 | $21,717 | $73,283 |
| Boilermaker | $105,000 | $24,717 | $80,283 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How this guide works▼
Construction and trades salary data is compiled from ABS average weekly earnings for the construction industry, Fair Work Commission pay guides for the Building and Construction General On-site Award, and published enterprise agreement rates. Salary ranges represent total annual earnings including base rate and typical allowances, but excluding overtime. Tax calculations use ATO marginal rates for FY2025-26 including the 2% Medicare levy.
Sources & References
- 1Building and Construction General On-site Award— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 2Construction industry earnings— Australian Bureau of Statistics
Last verified: 14 March 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Penny Ward
Verified AuthorEmployment & Workplace Rights Editor
B.Com (Hons), Cert IV Financial Planning
Penny is a financial journalist and workplace compliance specialist with over a decade of experience writing about Australian employment law, Fair Work entitlements, and payroll. She has contributed to publications covering industrial relations and personal finance, and previously advised small businesses on award interpretation and pay compliance.
Areas of Expertise