Electrician quote template (Australia)

All fixed-wire electrical work in Australia must be performed by a licensed electrician and signed off with a Certificate of Electrical Safety or Compliance. That is the law in every state and territory. Use this template to confirm you are getting both a fair price and the right compliance paperwork — and to spot the operators trying to do unlicensed work under the table.

What is a electrical quote template?

An electrician quote template is the list of items a written quote from a licensed Australian sparky should contain — including the licence number, the scope of work, the brand of any fittings, the Certificate of Compliance promise, GST and the workmanship warranty. It is the document you can hand to a second electrician and ask "would you quote the same way?"

When to use this template

Use this template whenever you are comparing electrical quotes — from a single power-point install through to a switchboard upgrade, LED downlight conversion, ceiling-fan run, EV charger install or full re-wire. The bigger the job, the more important it is to have a clear, itemised quote before any work starts.

Before you request quotes — get these details ready

The more concrete the detail you can give a electrician up front, the faster and more accurate the quotes you receive. Aim to have these details ready before you post the job:

• The exact issue or scope — "safety switch tripping every time the kettle boils" beats "sparky needed".
• Switchboard age and type if you have a photo of the inside of the panel — modern RCD switches versus old ceramic fuses change the quote.
• Brand, model and IP rating preference for any new fittings (downlights, fans, sensors, EV charger).
• Property age — pre-1980 wiring often needs upgrades before adding load like an EV charger.
• Three or four photos including the switchboard, the affected fixtures and any external access for cable runs.
• Timing — emergency, this week or flexible — and whether you need single-day or staged work.

What your electrical quote should include

A complete written electrical quote from a reputable Australian electrician should contain every one of the line items below. If any are missing, ask for the detail in writing before comparing against another quote:

• Electrician's full name and state-issued electrical licence number, which you can verify on the state registrar.
• Itemised scope: every fixture, circuit, switchboard change and cable run, with brand, model and quantity for new gear.
• Labour rate or fixed price — Australian sparkies typically charge $90–$130/hour plus an $80–$120 call-out for short jobs; bigger work should be fixed.
• Certificate of Electrical Safety or Compliance issued on completion at no extra charge — keep a copy with your house records.
• GST status stated as "GST inclusive" or "plus 10% GST".
• Workmanship warranty (12 months minimum on labour for domestic work) plus the manufacturer warranty on supplied parts.
• Payment terms — small jobs paid on completion; larger jobs with a clear progress schedule and a small deposit at most.
• ABN, business name and public liability insurance reference.

How to compare electrical quotes fairly

Two electrical quotes that look very different on price usually differ on one of three things: the brand of fittings, whether a switchboard upgrade is bundled in, and whether the Certificate of Compliance is included or quietly omitted. Line the quotes up row-by-row on those three points before you make any decision on price. Use the electrician cost guide for typical Australian pricing ranges, then line up the quotes against this checklist row-by-row before deciding on price.

Common quote mistakes to avoid

• Hiring someone who cannot or will not provide a licence number on the quote.
• Skipping the Certificate of Compliance to save money — it is mandatory and your insurance can be voided without it.
• Treating an LED downlight quote like-for-like without checking IP rating, colour temperature and dimming compatibility.
• Asking for "just a quick fix" on a switchboard rather than getting the right RCD-protected configuration in writing.
• Paying any deposit before you have a written quote with a licence number, ABN and Certificate-of-Compliance commitment.

Red flags before you sign

Any one of the warning signs below is a reason to slow down and seek another quote. Two or more is a reason to walk away — there is always another electrician.

• "Cash deal — no paperwork, no certificate" — this is unlicensed work, full stop.
• Refusal to give a licence number when asked, or a licence number that does not match the registrar.
• Pressure to pay before the Certificate of Compliance is issued.
• Quotes that omit the brand and model of any fitting being installed.
• Anyone offering to "fix" a safety-switch trip without inspecting the circuit causing the trip.

Questions to ask before choosing a provider

The questions below tend to surface a thoughtful, experienced electrician from someone who is winging it. There are no wrong answers, but the willingness to answer them clearly in writing is itself the signal:

• What is your electrical licence number, and which state issued it?
• Will I receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety or Compliance on completion?
• What brand and IP rating of fitting are you supplying?
• Is this a fixed-price quote, or is it labour-plus-materials with a cap?
• What is your workmanship warranty in writing?
• Are you covered by public liability insurance for work on my property?

How TaskerAsker helps you get better electrical quotes

TaskerAsker is a free Australian marketplace for home services. Post your electrical job once and receive up to three written quotes from local electricians. Every provider has their ABN verified before they can quote, their trade licence is surfaced on the profile where the trade is licensed, and reviews are tied to completed jobs only. Post your job free or browse verified electricians first, or read the electrician cost guide for typical pricing.

Final checklist before you post

Tick each item off before you send a electrician job out to quote:

• Licensed electrician with verifiable licence number on the quote.
• Itemised scope of work with brand, model and quantity for all new fittings.
• Certificate of Compliance promised in writing at no extra charge.
• Labour figure with a clear cap and a separate call-out line.
• Workmanship warranty length and claim process in writing.
• Two more comparable quotes before you sign anything.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Certificate of Electrical Safety or Compliance compulsory?

Yes — for any fixed-wire electrical work in every Australian state and territory. The certificate confirms the work meets AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules) and is the document your insurer will ask for if anything ever goes wrong. Reputable electricians issue it on completion at no extra charge.

How much does an Australian electrician charge per hour?

Typical Australian domestic rates run $90–$130 per hour plus a call-out fee of $80–$120 that covers travel and the first 30 minutes on site. Larger jobs like switchboard upgrades, EV charger installs and downlight conversions should be quoted as a fixed price rather than hourly.

Can I supply my own light fittings to save money?

You can — but a licensed electrician is not obliged to install them, and may not warrant the workmanship on a fixture they did not supply. The trade-off is your responsibility for any product defect, and possibly a higher labour rate to account for unfamiliar fittings. Discuss it before they quote.

What is the typical electrician workmanship warranty?

Twelve months on labour is the common Australian minimum for domestic electrical work, with the manufacturer warranty applying separately to supplied parts. Larger jobs like switchboard upgrades, EV chargers and full re-wires often come with longer workmanship warranties — get the exact length in writing.

How do I check an electrician's licence?

Each state runs a public licence register — NSW Fair Trading, Energy Safe Victoria, Electrical Safety Office Queensland, and equivalents in WA, SA, TAS, NT and the ACT. Type the licence number from the quote into the register; you should see the electrician's name and a current expiry date. If you can't, walk away.

Ready to compare quotes? Post your electrical job free and receive up to three written quotes from verified Australian electricians. You can also browse the electricians hub, read the electrician cost guide, or browse all quote templates.

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