ToolsHubProWhat should you be charging? And what are other tradies actually earning? Here's the complete breakdown of hourly rates for every major trade in Australia in 2026 — including the difference between pay rate and charge-out rate.
Employee vs Subcontractor Rates
There's a big difference between what a tradie earns as an employee and what they charge as a subcontractor. Employers pay super, workers comp, leave — subcontractors cover those themselves.
TRADE EMPLOYEE/hr SUBCONTRACTOR/hr Carpenter $45–$55 $75–$110 Plumber $50–$65 $90–$140 Electrician $50–$65 $90–$130 Bricklayer $42–$52 $70–$100 Painter $38–$48 $55–$80 Tiler $40–$50 $65–$90 Plasterer $42–$52 $70–$95 Labourer $30–$38 $50–$70
State by State Differences
- NSW/VIC: Highest rates due to cost of living & demand
- QLD: 5–10% lower than Sydney/Melbourne
- WA: Mining boom keeps rates high — comparable to NSW
- SA/TAS: Generally 10–15% lower than east coast capitals
Factors That Increase Your Rate
- Specialist skills (heritage work, complex waterproofing)
- Emergency/after-hours work (+50–100%)
- Difficult access or heights
- Own tools & vehicle provided
- Insurance & licences current
- Strong portfolio & Google reviews (>50 reviews = 15% premium)
The Real Difference: Charge-Out vs Take-Home
Your $90/hr charge-out rate doesn't mean $90 in your pocket.
Charge-out rate: $90.00/hr Less super (11.5%): -$9.27/hr Less workers comp: -$2.70/hr Less leave provision:-$4.50/hr Less tool costs: -$3.00/hr Less vehicle costs: -$4.50/hr Less insurance: -$1.50/hr ───────────────────────── Effective take-home: $64.53/hr
⚠️ Reality Check
Charge $90/hr as a subcontractor and your real take-home is about $65/hr after all on-costs. That's why you need to charge at least $80/hr just to break even.
Use our Contractor Rate Calculator to see what you should be charging.
Calculate Your Real Rate
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