What Does an Industrial Electrician Do?
By Zionic Group · 15 March 2026
The Role of an Industrial Electrician
Industrial electricians install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electrical systems in factories, processing plants, mines, water treatment facilities, and other heavy-industry environments. Unlike commercial or residential electricians, industrial sparkies work with high-voltage switchgear, motor control centres, power distribution boards, variable speed drives, and programmable logic controllers. The scale is bigger, the voltages are higher, and the consequences of getting it wrong are more severe.
A typical day might involve diagnosing a fault on a 415V motor starter, replacing contactors in a distribution board, pulling new submains cable through a tray system, or performing thermographic scanning on switchgear during a scheduled shutdown. During planned maintenance shutdowns, industrial electricians often work extended hours to complete isolations, upgrades, and recommissioning within tight windows.
Key Responsibilities
Industrial electricians are expected to handle a broad range of tasks depending on the site and sector:
- Installing and terminating power and control cables up to 11kV
- Reading and interpreting single-line diagrams, schematics, and P&IDs
- Performing fault-finding on motors, drives, PLCs, and instrumentation
- Carrying out preventive maintenance schedules on switchboards and MCCs
- Conducting high-voltage switching operations under safe work procedures
- Completing isolation and lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures
- Testing and commissioning new electrical installations
- Maintaining compliance with AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules) and site-specific safety standards
Licences and Qualifications
In Australia, industrial electricians must hold a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820 or equivalent) and an unrestricted electrical licence issued by the relevant state or territory regulator. Many employers also require a current CPR certificate, working at heights ticket, and confined space certification. For mining and resources roles, additional tickets such as a standard 11 (S11) or high-risk work licence for crane operations may be needed.
Beyond the baseline qualifications, employers increasingly look for electricians with PLC experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Schneider), familiarity with SCADA systems, and the ability to read instrumentation diagrams. These cross-skills push day rates higher and open doors to instrumentation and controls career paths.
What Employers Look For
When hiring industrial electricians, employers prioritise candidates who can demonstrate hands-on fault-finding ability over those with purely installation backgrounds. The ability to work autonomously during breakdowns, communicate clearly with operations teams, and maintain accurate maintenance records sets top candidates apart. Cultural fit matters too, particularly on remote or FIFO sites where teams live and work together for extended swings.
Salary ranges for industrial electricians in Australia typically sit between $90,000 and $130,000 per annum for permanent roles, depending on sector, location, and shift arrangements. FIFO and shutdown contractors can earn significantly more, with day rates ranging from $65 to $95 per hour plus allowances. The strongest demand is in mining and resources (Western Australia, Queensland), food and beverage manufacturing (Victoria, South Australia), and water infrastructure (New South Wales).