Tradie hourly rates guide

What tradies charge in Australia

Most trades charge an hourly rate plus a call-out fee that covers travel and turning up. Rates vary with trade, location and how specialised the work is, and city rates tend to run higher than regional ones. The figures below are typical ranges to sense check a quote, not fixed prices.

Trade	Typical hourly rate
Electrician	$90 to $150
Plumber	$90 to $140
Carpenter	$70 to $120
Painter	$60 to $100
Tiler	$60 to $110
Plasterer	$60 to $100
Landscaper	$60 to $100
Handyman	$55 to $90

For bigger jobs, most tradies quote a fixed price for the whole job rather than charging by the hour, which gives you certainty. By the hour is more common for small jobs, repairs and call-outs.

Fixed price or hourly?

Hourly suits quick, hard to predict jobs like a leak or a fault, where no one knows the exact time until they look. A fixed quote suits defined jobs like a deck, a repaint or a slab, where you want a clear total before you commit. For anything sizeable, get the price in writing.

Common questions

How much does an electrician cost per hour in Australia?

Electricians typically charge $90 to $150 per hour, plus a call-out fee of around $60 to $90. Specialised or after hours work costs more.

What is a call-out fee?

A call-out fee covers the tradie travelling to you and turning up, usually $60 to $90. It is often charged on top of the hourly rate, so ask whether it is included when comparing quotes.

Is hourly or fixed price better?

Hourly suits small or unpredictable jobs like repairs. A fixed quote suits defined jobs like a deck or repaint, where you want a clear total before starting. For larger work, always get it in writing.

These figures are estimates to help you plan and sense check quotes. They are not a quote. Site access, materials, finish and your location all move the final price. Always get two or three written quotes.