Does the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award cover professional electrical engineers?

No. That award (MA000025) covers electrical trades workers (grades 1–10) in contracting. Professional electrical engineers are typically covered by the Professional Employees Award 2010 (MA000065) or are award-free and covered by the national minimum wage or an enterprise agreement.

How does the ABS median electrical engineering salary compare to the award rates for electrical trades?

The ABS median full-time electrical engineering salary is $2,553 per week ($67 per hour). In contrast, the highest award rate for an electrical trade (Grade 10, with all allowances) under the Electrical Contracting Award is $1,519.01 per week ($39.97 per hour) as of July 2026.

Electrical engineering salary: award coverage versus award-free rates in Australia

Q: What is the current minimum pay for an electrical engineer who is award-free?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week). Casual employees receive a 25% loading ($33.05 per hour). Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings.

For professional electrical engineers, the legal minimum is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) if award-free, but the ABS reports a median full-time salary of $2,553 per week ($67 per hour) as a market benchmark.

Electrical engineering salary: understanding the pay floor

When researching an electrical engineering salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from award rates, survey averages, and negotiated salaries. This guide explains which pay floor applies and how typical earnings compare.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage

For any employee not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. Superannuation (the super guarantee) of 12% is paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings.

This is the absolute floor. No adult employee can be paid less, unless they are a junior, apprentice, trainee, or on an introductory or supported wage. Award-free juniors have percentage-based rates (e.g., 18-year-olds receive 68.3% of the adult rate).

Award coverage for electrical workers vs professional engineers

The Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025) covers electrical trades workers – from Electrical Worker Grade 1 ($26.44 per hour base) to Grade 10 ($37.24 per hour base). With industry, tool, and licence allowances, the all-up rate for a Grade 10 electrician reaches $39.97 per hour ($1,519.01 per week) as published by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Professional electrical engineers, however, are not covered by that award. They may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2010 (MA000065) or be award-free. If award-free, the national minimum wage is the only statutory minimum. If covered by the Professional Employees Award, the minimum rates are higher than the national minimum – but the Fair Work Ombudsman’s current pay guide for that award should be consulted for exact figures.

Survey average: ABS median earnings for electrical engineers

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), via Jobs and Skills Australia, reports that full-time non-managerial electrical engineers earn a median weekly salary of $2,553 (before tax), equating to $67 per hour. This is a market benchmark, not a legal minimum. It reflects typical pay for experienced engineers and is significantly above both the national minimum and the award rates for electrical trades.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

Many electrical engineers are employed under enterprise agreements that set pay above the award or national minimum. These agreements are negotiated between employers and employees (or their unions) and must pass the “better off overall test” compared to the relevant award. A negotiated salary can be much higher than the floor, depending on experience, industry, and location.

Key takeaways

The legal minimum for an award-free electrical engineer is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week).
The award rate for electrical trades (e.g., Grade 5 with licence allowance) is $32.19 per hour, but professional engineers have their own award.
The survey average (ABS median) for electrical engineers is $2,553 per week – a useful guide for market rates.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of all ordinary time earnings.

For more detail, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables for award and national minimum figures. Always check the specific award or agreement that covers your role, as it can set a higher rate than the national minimum.

How the figures work

The national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. The ABS provides survey data on actual earnings. None of these sources constitute a pay determination – your actual pay depends on your classification, experience, and applicable industrial instrument. See our How the figures work page for more on methodology.