hire industrial electricians australia

Hire Industrial Electricians in Australia (2025 Guide)

Industrial electricians are some of the most in-demand tradespeople in Australia right now and also some of the hardest to hire. Whether you’re running a plant, mine, manufacturing facility or large-scale infrastructure site, finding a qualified sparkie with industrial experience can make or break your timelines.

In this quick guide, we’ll break down:

  • What industrial electricians actually do
  • What they cost to hire in 2025
  • Where to find them (without waiting weeks)
  • How HJ Recruitment helps companies secure site-ready talent fast

What Is an Industrial Electrician?

Industrial electricians specialise in high-voltage, high-demand environments like:

  • Mining & resources
  • Manufacturing & production
  • Utilities, renewables & energy
  • Waste treatment & processing
  • Transport, defence & infrastructure

They work on:

  • Switchgear, MCCs, and motor control
  • PLCs and SCADA
  • Conveyor and automation systems
  • Hazardous area (EEHA) installations
  • Shutdowns, maintenance and fault-finding

What You’ll Pay to Hire an Industrial Electrician in 2025

Rates depend on location, tickets and site conditions. Here’s a snapshot of market rates:

  • Metro industrial sparkies: $54–$62/hr flat
  • FIFO shutdown electricians: $65–$80/hr
  • EEHA certified: Add $5–$10/hr premium
  • Full-time salary: $100k–$130k + super

Want a location-specific rate card? Get in touch with us here.

Why It’s So Hard to Hire Industrial Electricians Right Now

Australia’s critical infrastructure pipeline is booming, but trade supply can’t keep up. The electrical trade is listed on the national skills shortage list, and competition is fierce.

Common issues we see:

  • Job boards flooded with unlicensed or underqualified applicants
  • FIFO and mining projects drawing talent away from metro
  • EEHA-certified electricians being poached mid-project
  • Slow internal hiring processes leading to missed candidates

That’s why clients across mining, energy and heavy industry turn to specialist recruiters like HJ Recruitment.

Where to Find Industrial Electricians in Australia

Here are your best options for hiring:

1. Use a Specialist Recruiter (Like Us)

We place licensed, vetted electricians across WA, QLD, NSW and VIC with:

  • EEHA, LVR/CPR, Working at Heights
  • FIFO-ready or metro-based availability
  • Proven industrial experience (not domestic sparkies)

📩 Submit your job here and we’ll start shortlisting within 24 hours.

2. Look Beyond Job Boards

Sites like Seek and Indeed can work—but only if your ad is:

  • Keyword-optimised (use “industrial electrician”, “PLC”, “shutdown”)
  • Clearly lists pay, roster, and ticket requirements
  • Includes site-specific perks like LA or travel

3. Tap Into TAFEs and RTOs

Partner with providers like:

You can access recently qualified trades or offer upskilling for internal hires.

Who We Work With

We help recruit industrial electricians across:

  • Mining & shutdown contractors
  • Food & beverage manufacturing plants
  • Renewable energy developers
  • Heavy industry & fabrication workshops
  • Defence & infrastructure projects

We cover:

  • Perth, Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland
  • Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville
  • Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong
  • FIFO & DIDO remote projects
  • Melbourne, Gellong
  • Adeilade, Rural SA
  • Darwin, Cairns, Hobart
  • Canbrea

Related: Recruitment agency for maintenance trades

Why Use HJ Recruitment?

We’re a permanent recruitment agency that specialises in skilled trades. No labour hire, no resume spam just qualified sparkies ready to work.

Trade-qualified and site-verified candidates
Fast shortlisting (within 72 hours)
Recruitment process that filters for commitment and retention
Access to both metro and FIFO electricians

If you're looking for sparkies who won’t ghost, don’t cut corners, and understand industrial safety we’ve got them.

Final Tip: Move Fast or Lose Them

Good electricians are getting 3–4 offers a week in 2025. The difference between a filled job and a project delay often comes down to speed.

We’ll help you move fast, hire right, and keep your site running.