Shaw Electrix are one of Canberra’s leading electrical companies. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
When it comes to electrical work around your home, there is no question that a fully trained and experienced tradie is the only person who should be trusted to complete the job.
It is illegal in Australia to carry out certain electrical jobs if you aren’t a qualified electrician, and vital for the safety of you and your family that you call in an expert who you can trust.
Whether your home requires installation of lighting or appliances, rewiring, an electrical safety check or complete smart wiring overhaul, there are plenty of dependable, efficient electrical companies around town for you to choose from.
We asked our readers from Canberra and the surrounding region to share their experiences with leading local electricians. Below, you will find a recommended list of the best ones. If you are not sure what you are looking for, the following checklist should help you decide which trustworthy sparkie is for you.
What makes a great electrician?
- Relevant qualifications and licenses. In the ACT, all electrical contractors must be licensed. This gives you peace of mind, knowing your electrician has the experience and qualifications to safely conduct all electrical work, from straightforward jobs to complex wiring.
- Knowledgeable. It pays to do some research and hire an electrician with a wealth of knowledge that only experience can deliver. The best electricians know the ins and outs of the trade. From simple household jobs to electrical emergencies, you need to be assured they can complete the job professionally.
- Reliable. The best electricians turn up on time, every time, and don’t leave you waiting. They should arrive when they say they will, be ready to work and complete the job efficiently.
- Transparent pricing. Your electrician should be upfront with you about how much things will cost. Quotes and invoices should be transparent, with no unexpected fees or charges. If any unforeseen expenses arise, you should be confident knowing this will be communicated to you and that you are getting what you pay for.
- Reliable and respectful of your property. The best electricians treat your home as if it is their own. This means keeping mess and disruption to a minimum while being careful with your belongings.
The best electricians in Canberra
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of onsite comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook, as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Shaw Electrix
Shaw Electrix is a locally owned provider of residential and commercial electrical services to clients across Canberra and throughout its surrounds.
Led by director Ben Shaw, this highly trained team has almost 50 years of collective experience.
Steadfast in their commitment to excellence, electricians make it their priority to understand each clients' unique needs, and meet them in a safe, efficient and personalised manner.
Ensuring quality is at the core of everything Shaw Electrix does. All technicians are fully qualified, licensed and insured, and undergo regular training to stay up to date with the latest technology and industry standards. They only use materials of the highest quality, sourced frrom reputable suppliers.
Services include residential and commercial electrics, installations, repairs and maintenance. This includes lighting and energy efficiency solutions, electrical panel upgrades, wiring and rewiring, solar panel and air conditioning installation, maintenance and cleaning, and more.
Samantha Reichstein was over the moon with Shaw Electrix's work on her home solar system:
"They kept me informed of the process from start to finish and gave me plenty of notice for planning around power being switched off during installation," she said online.
"I was eligible to access the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme to finance my solar and Shaw helped guide me through the application process. They gave me advice on how best to maximise the use and savings from my solar system, and my bills have been in credit every month since."
Level Electrical Hume
Canberra residents and organisations deserve reliable electricians they can trust to get the job done right.
Level Electrical Hume promises the highest level of service, expertise and seamless experience on each and every project. Known for their reliable, no-fuss approach, the team offers a huge range of comprehensive services to residential, commercial, industrial and government clients across the ACT and into surrounding NSW.
These include lighting, air-conditioning and ventilation, entertainment, security, solar, EV charging, data and communications, emergency and safety systems, test/tagging, thermal scanning, system design and more.
Scheduled maintenance, new installations, audits and 24/7 emergency electrics are no problem for these fully qualified and licensed electricians.
Specific accreditations include but are not limited to: Australian Communications and Media Authority Telecommunications Master Cabler, Level 2 Authorised Contractor (NSW), and Clean Energy Council. Licenses cover elevated work platform, rigging and dogman. Level Electrical Hume also holds a Work Place Clearance Group certification and is a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association.
"Very efficient prompt service in responding to a trip fault in a light circuit," recent client Jeff said in a five-star Google review.
"Their staff attended within an hour of a call and spent 3+ hours testing a locating the issue as well as other faults. Problem was identified and resolved. Given the time and that 2 staff were involved the final bill was reasonable. They also provided fixed a problem from an earlier installation by another company."
Climate Plus
Locally owned and operated, Climate Plus has become a household name in Canberra for their fast, reliable and friendly service.
The team of highly qualified and licensed electricians know Canberra homes well, especially when it comes to electrical installations, upgrades, safety checks, scheduled maintenance and repairs.
They cover switchboards, safety switches, lighting, climate control and ceiling fans, powerpoints and USB outlets, smoke alarms, TV, data points and more with ease.
As specialists in heating, cooling, solar and hot water alongside general electrics, Climate Plus staff are well informed and on hand to provide knowledgeable advice that saves clients time, money and stress. Safety, satisfaction, comfort and efficiency are their top priorities.
This team is a leader in local industry, with more than 500 reviews and an average rating of 4.9 stars on Google from happy customers like Heidi B.
"Brodie and Jack were super professional and fixed our evap cooler despite it being deemed unrepairable by another company," she says in her review.
"They [attended] on time and were honest in their work expectations and cost, and lucky for us it was the best case scenario. We were fortunate enough to get our evap cooler working for Xmas!"
True Connection Electrical
Reliable, trustworthy and professional, True Connection Electrical has supported residential and real estate clients in Canberra and its surrounds for all of their electrical needs since 2014.
Owner and founder Tim has decades of experience and is fully qualified, as is his team. With a friendly approach and clear communications, True Connection Electrical manages regular and emergency electrical maintennace, upgrades and repairs. Tim also maintains property electrical needs for real estate agents, agencies and strata managers.
With True Connection Electrical, no residential job is too big or too small, including extensions, renovations and new builds. All jobs are backed by a lifetime warranty on workmanship.
Services include installing appliances in kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor living areas and entertainment spaces. True Connection Electrical makes internet connections faster and more reliable. Other services include installing new power points and switches, supplying and installing light fittings and ceiling fans, and replacing ageing smoke alarms.
Clients are guaranteed transparency of cost, and have left almost 400 five-star reviews over the years praising the True Connection team for their skill, communication and cleanliness.
One such client, Abby Johnson left a glowing testimonial on Google in early 2024.
"Tim was easy to communicate with from the first phone call and was able to promptly attend the job the following day," she says.
"He provided a quote based on photographs which was really helpful. He was friendly and professional, very quickly diagnosing and fixing a number of household issues.
"I highly recommend Tim and will seek him for any future work. Thanks Tim!"
Harrison's Electrical Canberra
Harrison’s Electrical Canberra confidently installs, repairs and maintains all kinds of electrics in residential and commercial spaces across the nation's capital.
Fully-qualified and licensed electricians Harrison McIntyre and Rowan Harrison are both Canberra-born, with extensive knowledge of what local homes need to ensure safe, efficient power.
Their wide range of services includes general electrical work, air-conditioning, TV, data and telephone outputs, switchboard upgrades, smoke alarm installation and testing, thermal scanning, commercial fit-outs, and more. The duo also works with local real estate agents and property managers.
Harrison and Rowan guarantee an experienced hand and genuine customer service. They're known for being punctual and having outstanding workmanship, with client safety as their number one priority.
"I had a range of electrical jobs done around the house," Will Inveen says in his Google review.
"They did an excellent job, were prompt and professional. Really happy with the service and the work they did."
For related electrical services check out our article on the best home automation system installers, the best appliance repair services, the best oven repair services, the best washing machine services and the best security and alarm monitoring companies in Canberra. You may also like our articles on the best air-conditioning services or the best plumbers our city has to offer.
Your experience with electricians in Canberra
Special thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had any experience hiring electricians in and around Canberra? Which company did you use? Would you recommend it?
Share your experience in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I allowed to do small DIY electrical jobs at home?
Absolutely not. Apart from the fact it is illegal to undertake electrical work at home unless you are a qualified electrician, it is also extremely dangerous if you don't fully understand what you are doing. If you are a licensed tradie, then go for it, but everyone else must call upon the services of a fully trained and experienced electrical tradesperson.
What are the ramifications of illegal DIY electrical work?
In the worst case scenario: death. Electrical wiring work can be extremely dangerous so if you are unqualified and something goes wrong, the consequences can be fatal. There is also the possibility of causing a house fire. Fines also apply for performing illegal electrical wiring work around the home. For individuals, this can be as high as $40,000.
What DIY electrical work is legal for me to perform at home?
Some very basic electrical jobs can be carried out at home if you are unqualified. These include installing low voltage garden lighting and pond pumps; changing a blown light bulb; installing battery operated smoke alarms; replacing LED downlights; cutting openings for air-conditioning units but not installing them; and fitting an electric wall oven but not connecting it. For everything else, use one of Canberra's best trained electricians.
When should I arrange an electrical safety check?
At a minimum, you should call a qualified electrician to visit your home for an electrical safety check to ensure everything is in safe working order every five years. If your property is more than 25 years old, a safety check is highly recommended, or if you simply have any concerns about how electrical items in your home have been installed. If you are purchasing a property that has been occupied, an electrical safety check is essential so you know you are buying somewhere safe.
What is smart wiring and who can install it?
Smart wiring is a flexible industry wiring standard that enables the combination of several types of wires into a single platform for use with smart home systems and sensors. Once installed, it allows you to access multiple telephone, internet and pay TV options, as well as audio, security, automated home lighting and integrated garden irrigation. Smart wiring systems can only be installed by an accredited smart wiring technician.
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