Auto electrical repair

Auto electrical repair in Australia: rates, call-outs and what to check

Updated 4 November 2026

Auto electrical work in Australia usually costs between A$90 and A$150 an hour, and diagnostics, parts and complex faults add to that. A mobile call-out fee can start from about A$55 plus GST. For a price for your car's fault, describe the symptoms on BlaBlaPrice.

What the price depends on

• Diagnosis: finding the fault takes time, and diagnostics are often charged separately from the repair.
• Parts: wiring, sensors and modules are quoted separately from labour.
• Call-out and towing: a mobile visit has a fee, and towing to a workshop is an extra cost, so ask about both.
• Complexity: complex faults take longer than minor ones, and the hours add up.

Qualifications and rules

The main trade qualification for an auto electrician is the Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology. In New South Wales, a motor vehicle tradesperson certificate is needed to do repair work on vehicles, even with a repairer licence. In Western Australia, a motor vehicle repairer's certificate covers people who own a repair business and do repair work or supervise it. Ask to see the certificate before a repair starts.

Season and timing

November is late spring. Batteries and starting faults show up most on cold mornings from June to August. In the heat of December to February, cooling and electrical faults tend to appear, so book the check before the hottest weeks.

Call-out or workshop

A mobile electrician can come to your home or work, which suits a flat battery or a car that will not start. Ask whether the call-out fee applies, whether towing is extra, and how long the work is expected to take.

What to write in your request

Give the car make, model and year, the fault or symptoms (for example lights, starting or a battery drain), and any component you suspect. Say whether you need a call-out or a workshop visit, whether you will supply parts, and your suburb. Add your deadline and budget per hour or per job.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the fault in your own words in a chat, and you can add a photo. The AI asks for missing details and looks through sellers' websites and price lists in Australia, then shows the prices and mechanics it found. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive your request and reply in the chat with their own price and terms. Your contact details stay hidden. Start with the request field on the home page, or see Car computer diagnostics.