Education level
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Your role as a maintenance electrician
As a maintenance electrician, you’ll make sure our electrical systems are safe, reliable and working well.
This includes:
- inspecting and maintaining electrical wiring and equipment
- fixing faults and troubleshooting problems
- following safety laws and standards.
We have full time, part time and casual roles, and you may work shifts or be on call.
How a maintenance electrician is different from a licensed electrician
A maintenance electrician is a licensed electrician who has extra training to work in high risk medical and healthcare support settings. They understand our systems for emergency power supply, operations, and life support. They also have special training in patient safety, infection control and specialised automated equipment for production facilities.
What your day might look like
Most maintenance electricians work in our hospitals and health clinics, but you might also travel to:
- aged care homes
- central office buildings
- pathology labs and mortuaries
- research and storage facilities
- automated industrial laundries.
You’ll start the day by checking in with your team and responding to any urgent problems such as power outages or safety risks.
You’ll do regular inspections and preventative maintenance and on a range of electrical systems, including:
- power outlets, wiring, lighting and switchboards
- backup generators, power supply units and emergency systems
- circuit breakers, safety switches and earthing systems
- nurse call bells, alarm systems and automatic doors
- specialised automated laundry equipment.
Many of these systems support patient care and vital healthcare functions and you’ll make sure they’re in good condition to prevent failures. This might include:
- tightening loose terminals and connections
- securing cables to prevent sparking and arcing, where electricity jumps between cables
- replacing worn out wiring, fuses, breakers or batteries
- resetting circuit breakers
- servicing moving parts in motors, pumps, air conditioning systems and laundry equipment.
A big part of your job is making sure everyone is safe. You’ll learn and follow all electrical safety laws, standards and workplace procedures, and keep logs to record the work you do. You’ll also understand how to keep patients safe from germs and stop the spread of infection while you’re working.
If you’re part of a bigger project, such as a system upgrade, you’ll also work with tradespersons, contractors and health professionals.
Read more about working as an electrician on the Your Career website.
Qualifications
Electrotechnology electrician apprenticeship (Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician)
You can learn more about this apprenticeship on the Australian Government website.
You may be able to do an apprenticeship or traineeship with us.
Professional licences
To work as a maintenance electrician, you’ll have your electrical mechanic licence.
You’ll also do special training with us to learn about high risk electrical systems and safe work practices.
Learn more about electrical licences on the WorkSafe website.
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role and your pay point. In your first year you’ll start at health, building, engineering and maintenance officer grade 6. You’ll get a different rate if you’re an apprentice.
We also offer:
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of leave
- salary packaging
- help with training costs.
If you're moving to start a new job with us, you may be able to get help with moving and travel costs.
Career paths
Getting experience as a maintenance electrician or doing more study can lead to other roles.
- Electrical trade manager
- Electrical safety manager
- Electrical infrastructure manager
- Building and maintenance manager
If you plan to do more study, ask your training provider if your past studies can count towards a higher qualification.