If you have a dangerous electrical emergency in Sydney, call 000 immediately. For urgent but non-life-threatening issues such as a total power outage, sparking outlet, or tripped safety switch, an emergency electrician can typically reach you within 30–60 minutes across metro Sydney. If the issue is an area-wide outage, contact Ausgrid on 13 13 88 first to confirm it is not a network fault.
What to do right now
- 1
Ensure immediate safety
If there is any risk of electric shock, fire, or a burning smell, turn off the main switch at your switchboard and move everyone away from the affected area. Call 000 if anyone has received an electric shock.
- 2
Check if the outage is area-wide
Look outside — are your neighbours' lights on? Check the Ausgrid outage map online or call Ausgrid on 13 13 88. If the outage is area-wide, Ausgrid will handle restoration and you do not need an electrician.
- 3
Contact a licensed emergency electrician
Search for a 24/7 emergency electrician in your Sydney suburb on Urgent Electrician. Confirm they hold a valid NSW electrical licence and ask for an upfront quote including any after-hours surcharge.
- 4
Get a Certificate of Compliance if required
Under NSW Fair Trading regulations, any electrical work must be accompanied by a Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW). Ensure your electrician provides this after completing the job.
When to call an emergency electrician
- ⚠️Complete loss of power in your home only (neighbours still have power)
- ⚠️Sparking, smoking, or burning smell from any power point or switchboard
- ⚠️Safety switch keeps tripping and you cannot identify the faulty appliance
- ⚠️Exposed or damaged wiring discovered after a storm or renovation
- ⚠️Power outage affecting essential medical equipment such as a CPAP machine
- ⚠️Hot or discoloured power points or light switches
How much does it cost?
Emergency electrician callout fees in Sydney typically range from $150 to $300 for the initial attendance during business hours. After-hours, weekend, and public holiday rates are higher — expect $250 to $500 for the callout alone. Diagnostic and repair work is charged on top, usually at $80–$130 per hour. A full switchboard upgrade may cost $1,500–$4,000 depending on complexity. Always request an upfront, itemised quote before work begins.
