Electrical Award Rates
Quick Reference Card 2026
The MA000025 rates you actually need — Grades 1–5, apprentice Year 1–4, overtime, tool allowance, and industry allowance — on one printable page. Updated for the Fair Work Commission's July 2026 Annual Wage Review determination.
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Download PDF Reference Card →What's in the Reference Card
Electricians searching for MA000025 award rates typically need one thing: the number. Not a 3,000-word guide — the exact rate for the grade they're hiring, right now, with overtime pre-calculated so they can quote a week's labour without opening a spreadsheet.
The Quick Reference Card gives you that in one printable page:
| Classification | Hourly (Ord) | OT 1.5x | OT 2x |
|---|---|---|---|
| ET Grade 1 | $38.43 | $57.65 | $76.86 |
| ET Grade 2 | $39.36 | $59.04 | $78.72 |
| ET Grade 3 | $40.26 | $60.39 | $80.52 |
| ET Grade 4 | $41.20 | $61.80 | $82.40 |
| ET Grade 5 | $42.15 | $63.23 | $84.30 |
| Apprentice Yr 1 (42%) | $16.14 | $24.21 | $32.28 |
| Apprentice Yr 2 (55%) | $21.14 | $31.71 | $42.28 |
| Apprentice Yr 3 (75%) | $28.82 | $43.23 | $57.64 |
| Apprentice Yr 4 (88%) | $33.82 | $50.73 | $67.64 |
The full card also includes the tool allowance ($21.17/week for employee-supplied tools), industry allowance, and the current 11.5% superannuation guarantee rate — everything you need to cost a week's labour accurately.
Why Fair Work Audits Are a Real Risk in 2026
The Fair Work Ombudsman has been actively auditing the trades sector. Underpaying by even $1/hour — on the wrong classification, missing an allowance, or using outdated rates — creates backpay liability stretching up to 6 years under the Fair Work Act.
The most common errors we see: paying Grade 1 rates to Grade 3 tradespeople, not applying the tool allowance when employees supply their own tools, and continuing to use pre-July pay rates after the annual Fair Work determination takes effect.
For the full classification guide, overtime rules, and an interactive pay calculator, see our Electrical Award Rates 2026 Guide.
Want to Run MA000025 Payroll Without the Spreadsheet?
See our Xero vs MYOB comparison for Australian trade businesses — including which platform handles MA000025 payroll better for businesses with multiple apprentices and tradespeople.