Short answer: Most electricians charge a service or call-out fee plus an hourly rate. The hipages 2026 cost guide puts typical national figures at $80 to $130 for the service fee and $80 to $100 an hour, with an average hourly rate of about $105 in NSW. After-hours, weekend and emergency work costs more. Always ask what the call-out fee covers before the electrician arrives.
“How much is a call-out?” is one of the first things people ask when they ring an electrician, and it’s a fair question. The answer is rarely a single number, because electricians structure their pricing differently. Here’s how it usually works in Sydney, and how to make sure you’re comparing like with like.
What a call-out fee is for
A call-out fee (also called a service fee or attendance fee) covers the cost of getting a licensed electrician and a stocked van to your door: travel, parking, fuel and the time to assess the problem. In Inner West suburbs like Glebe, Balmain and Newtown, parking and access alone can take real time.
Common ways electricians charge:
- Call-out fee that includes the first 30 minutes of work, then an hourly rate in 15-minute blocks. This is the model described in the hipages guide.
- Call-out fee plus the full hourly rate from the start.
- No call-out fee, but a minimum charge (for example, a minimum first hour).
- Fixed price for the whole job, quoted upfront. This is common for defined jobs like a power point, a ceiling fan or a smoke alarm.
None of these is automatically better. What matters is that you know which one applies before work starts.
Typical market figures
| Item | Typical figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Service / call-out fee | $80 to $130 | hipages, updated Jan 2026 |
| Hourly rate (national) | $80 to $100 | same guide |
| Average hourly rate, NSW | about $105 | same guide |
| Service fee quoted for downlight jobs | $110 to $150 for the first 30 minutes | hipages downlight guide |
These are national averages from a major price guide, not Blue Link prices. Inner Sydney rates tend to sit at the higher end.
After-hours and emergency work
Expect a higher rate for work outside business hours, on weekends and public holidays, and for genuine emergencies at night. The electrician is giving up their evening, and the job often can’t be planned. Before you book after-hours work, ask:
- What’s the after-hours call-out fee?
- What’s the hourly rate, and when does it change back to the normal rate?
- Can the problem be made safe tonight and fixed properly in business hours, for less?
That third question can save money. Often the urgent part is isolating a faulty circuit so the rest of the house has power. The repair itself can wait until the morning. Our guide to what to do in an electrical emergency explains what really can’t wait.
Who to call first: Ausgrid or an electrician?
If the whole street is dark, it’s probably a network outage. Call Ausgrid on 13 13 88 or check their outage page before paying for a call-out. If it’s just your home, or just part of it, it’s usually a job for an electrician. See power out in part of the house for what to check first.
How to avoid bill shock
- Describe the problem clearly when you call. “The safety switch trips when it rains” tells an electrician far more than “the power keeps going off”.
- Send photos. A photo of the switchboard or the faulty fitting helps the electrician bring the right parts and give a better estimate.
- Group small jobs. If you’ve got a loose power point, a dead outdoor light and a smoke alarm beeping, book them together. You pay one call-out instead of three.
- Ask for a fixed price where you can. Defined jobs can usually be quoted at a fixed price. Fault-finding is harder to fix-price because nobody knows how long it’ll take to find the fault.
- Get it in writing. For any job over $5,000, NSW law requires a written contract, according to NSW Government guidance on home building contracts. For smaller jobs, a written quote or text confirming the price still protects both sides.
What a fair price looks like
A fair call-out covers a licensed, insured electrician arriving with the right tools, finding the problem and explaining your options. You should also get a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work for any wiring work. Very cheap call-outs sometimes make up the difference with high hourly rates or parts mark-ups, so compare the total for the job, not just the first number.
Before you hire anyone, check their licence on Service NSW. Our guide on how to choose a licensed electrician in NSW shows you how.
Need an electrician in the Inner West? We cover Hurlstone Park, Marrickville, Summer Hill and surrounding suburbs, including emergency call-outs. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll explain the cost before we come. Call 0421 772 661 for a fixed quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does the call-out fee include any work?
Often it covers the first 15 to 30 minutes, but not always. Ask when you book whether the fee includes time on the job or is charged on top of the hourly rate.
Why do electricians charge in 15-minute blocks?
It lets them bill fairly for short jobs without charging a full hour. Ask what the minimum charge is so there are no surprises.
Is it cheaper to get a fixed-price quote?
For defined jobs it’s usually more predictable, and you know the total upfront. For fault-finding, an hourly rate is common because the time needed is unknown.
Should I pay a call-out fee if the problem turns out to be an Ausgrid outage?
If the electrician attended and assessed the problem, a call-out fee is normally payable. Checking Ausgrid’s outage information or calling 13 13 88 first can save you the cost.