Education Qualifications
To become qualified as an electrician you must complete a four-year apprenticeship. This will combine both on-the job experience and off-the-job training. In the first year you are likely to spend four days a week working for your employer and one day a week at a training centre. By your fourth year you will be working full time for your employer. The type of work you do as an apprentice will vary depending on the project you’re working on. It will also vary over the time of the apprenticeship.
As you gain more skills and experience you will be able to undertake more complex tasks. However, throughout your apprenticeship you will always be working under the direct supervision of a qualified electrician. By the time you have completed your apprenticeship you should be competent in all of the skills required of a licensed electrician.
Electrotechnology will continue to change and develop throughout your working life and, as it does, you will need to upskill, adapt and learn. You may be able to begin a part of this training while you are still at school, through the VET program (vocational education and training).
A drivier’s license is often required.
The entry criteria for tertiary institutions differs from year to year. The above comments are a guide only. To gain specific entry criteria, contact the relevant university or use Hobson's The Good University Guide.
Relevant Universities Colleges & TAFE
Careernav have trolled through all the universities, specialist colleges and TAFE’s across the nation to identify those courses we consider relevant to this career. We have only focussed on the core single degree and its full time period. We acknowledge many combination degrees are available and different students combine different degrees. Course names also differ by university and we have grouped like courses together. We may have missed the odd course being offered, so we recommend for a more detailed guide check with the universities direct or one of the university course guide books such as Hobson’s. Please note Careernav are totally impartial and do not recommend one tertiary institution over another. To view the A to Z of tertiary institutions that offer relevant courses for this career.
Click here to view allPromoting Tertiary Institutions
All tertiary institutions have an open invitation to make available their course outline using the ‘For Institutions’ tab in the footer section of each page. From time to time universities, colleges or TAFE will take up Careernav’s offer to promote their courses and make available ‘Course Outline’ for your consideration. When an icon appears, consider its relevance and download the Course Outline on the one that interests you by clicking “I would like to learn more” at the end of the course profile.
Our Privacy Policy confirms your contact details including your email address will remain in the strictest of confidence. If you would like your email details provided to selected tertiary institutions to talk further about the course you need to click the checkbox. Only then will Careernav invite the tertiary institution to accept your email address and facilitate contact between you and them.
About the Author
National Electrical & Communications Association
The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) is the voice of the electrotechnology contracting industry. NECA is the only association that represents the interests of electrical and communications contractors nationally.
NECA actively represents the needs and entitlements of contractors at all levels of government and industry, ensuring members' needs are heard. We provide up-to-date industry-relevant information including occupational health and safety, industrial and legislative requirements.
Did you know that Thomas Edison (1880), Edward Johnson (1882) and Albert Sadacca (1917) invented the electric Christmas Lights?