Guides
How-to, cost, and licensing guides for Aussie tradies
Evergreen reference content built by tradies, for tradies. Every guide carries a reviewed-on date and is refreshed at least every 90 days.
Wondering what a job should cost? The Australian Trade Rates Index tracks indicative prices for 204 services across the eight capitals, updated quarterly.
Carpentry
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Complete guide
Apprentice wages in Australia: 2026 rates by state and year
Award pay rates for apprentice carpenters, electricians and plumbers jumped 4.75% on 1 July 2026. Here are the real weekly and hourly numbers by year of apprenticeship, plus the allowances and $10,000 government incentives that go on top.
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Complete guide
NCC 2026 changes: what builders and tradies need to know
NCC 2025 finally landed on 1 May 2026, but only some states have switched it on, residential changes are frozen until 2029, and the Coalition wants the whole code cut to 80 pages. Here is where the rules actually stand for builders and tradies.
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How-to
How to read timber framing plans: a site refresher
Stud centres, bracing, tie-down and lintels. The plan answers all of it before you pick up the nail gun.
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Career
How to become a carpenter in Australia: 2026 apprenticeship guide
Carpentry is one of the biggest trades in Australia and one of the best paid. Here's the full path from school leaver to licensed chippy, state by state, with realistic wages, costs, and pitfalls.
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buying-guide
Best ceiling insulation for Australian homes (2026)
Good ceiling insulation cuts your power bill by 25 to 40% in summer and winter. Here's the right R-value for your climate, the best types, and what installation costs in 2026.
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Checklist
Bushfire preparation checklist for Australian homes (2026)
Half of Australian homes sit in a bushfire-prone area. Here's the seasonal checklist that survives the fire season, plus the BAL rating system explained.
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Licensing
Carpentry licence by state: Australia 2026 guide
Unlike electrical and plumbing, carpentry licensing in Australia varies hugely by state, and depends on whether you're a sub-contractor or a builder.
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Cost guide
How much does it cost to build a deck in Australia? 2026 prices
A new deck is one of the most asked-about home jobs in Australia. Expect $300 to $800 per square metre for treated pine, more for hardwood or composite. Here's what drives the number.
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Cost guide
Cost to build a granny flat in Australia: 2026 prices by state
Granny flats are one of the biggest construction trends in Australian backyards. Expect $120,000 to $300,000 for a typical two-bed depending on state, finishes, and council approvals.
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Licensing
Decking and pergola council rules by state: Australia 2026
Most Aussies start a deck or pergola without realising approval rules vary by state and even by council. Here's the broad position state by state, plus the four questions that decide if you need a DA.
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Cost guide
Double glazing cost in Australia (2026)
Double glazing cuts heat loss by 30 to 50% versus single glazing. Here's what it costs to install in Australian homes in 2026 and whether the payback maths works for your climate.
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How-to
How to build a pergola in Australia (2026)
Pergolas are one of the most-built outdoor structures in Australian backyards. Here's how to build one yourself, plus the council rules to check first.
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How-to
How to clean a Colorbond roof (Australia, 2026)
A clean Colorbond roof lasts 30+ years. A neglected one loses 30% of its life to dirt and oxidation. Here's the right way to clean yours, safely.
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How-to
How to fix a squeaky floor (Australia, 2026)
Squeaky floors are friction between two pieces of timber. Find the squeak, fix the friction. Aussie guide to dealing with it from above and below, on timber and on engineered flooring.
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How-to
How to hang a door (Australia, 2026)
Hanging a door looks simple. Doing it so the door closes flush, latches first time, and doesn't bind is harder. Here's the trade-grade approach for an Aussie internal door.
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How-to
How to hang a picture properly (Australia, 2026)
The ten-minute job that goes wrong in five different ways. Aussie-grade guide to picture hanging on plaster, brick, and concrete, with the right fixings for each.
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explainer
How to identify asbestos in Australian homes (2026)
One in three Australian homes built before 1990 contains asbestos. Here's where it hides, how to identify it, and what to do (and never do) if you find it.
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How-to
How to install a screen door (Australia, 2026)
Aluminium and steel mesh security doors are standard at the front of most Aussie homes. Here's how to install one yourself in a couple of hours.
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How-to
How to wall-mount a TV (Australia, 2026)
Wall-mounting a TV is fast when you find the stud, slow when you don't. Here's the right way to mount, with cable management, and when to get a sparky for the power.
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How-to
How to install Colorbond fencing (Australia, 2026)
Colorbond is the standard Aussie boundary fence material. Here's how to install it yourself on a typical residential boundary, plus when to call a fencing contractor.
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explainer
How to install gutters in Australia (2026)
Replacing gutters is one of the most-quoted roof jobs in Australia. Here's what's involved, what a roofer charges, and when DIY makes sense (and doesn't).
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How-to
How to install plantation shutters (Australia, 2026)
Plantation shutters are popular in Aussie homes but installation by the supplier adds $1,000+. Here's how to fit them yourself in a few hours per window.
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How-to
How to install shelving (Australia, 2026)
Floating shelves, bracket shelves, alcove shelves, all of them fail the same way. Here's the right fixing for each wall type and the load each one actually holds.
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How-to
How to install skirting boards (Australia, 2026)
Skirting boards are one of the highest-impact, lowest-skill carpentry jobs you can DIY. Here's how to mitre the corners, fix to plasterboard or brick, and end up with a finish that doesn't look amateur.
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How-to
How to install vinyl plank flooring (Australia, 2026)
Click-lock vinyl plank is the easiest hard flooring to DIY. Here's how to lay it properly so the joints don't lift in summer or buckle in winter.
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How-to
How to paint a door properly (Australia, 2026)
Painting a door looks easy until you see the runs and brush marks two weeks later. Here's the trade-grade approach with the right paint, the right roller, and the right order.
Electrician
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How-to
EV charger installs: why they need a dedicated circuit
A home charger pulls hard, continuously, for hours. That changes everything about the circuit a sparkie has to run.
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Career
How to become an electrician in Australia: 2026 apprentice guide
Sparkies are the highest-paid trade in Australia at four years post-licence. Here's the full path from school leaver to licensed electrician, with realistic wages, costs, and state-by-state differences.
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explainer
Cost to install LED downlights in Australia (2026)
Replacing old halogen downlights with LED is the highest-return electrical upgrade most Aussie homes can make. Here's what it costs per fitting and why it's worth doing.
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Cost guide
Cost to install solar panels in Australia (2026)
A typical Aussie home pays $4,000 to $8,000 net for 6.6kW after federal STC rebates. Here's the real install cost broken down, plus what differs between budget and quality.
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Cost guide
How much does it cost to rewire a house in Australia? 2026 prices
Rewiring is one of the biggest electrical jobs you'll ever pay for. Expect $7,000–$25,000 depending on size, condition, and state. Here's what drives the price.
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Licensing
Electrical licence by state. Australia 2026 guide
Every Australian state has different rules for electrical work. Here's what you need, what it costs, and how long it takes, broken down state by state.
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Cost guide
EV charger installation cost Australia: 2026 prices by state
Home EV chargers run $400 to $4,000 installed depending on charger type and your switchboard. Here's what drives the price, what to ask the sparky, and how state rebates change the maths.
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Cost guide
How much do electricians charge per hour in Australia? 2026 rates
Sparky rates vary by state, by job type, by time. Here's the realistic 2026 range plus what hidden costs are baked into the rate, and how to spot a dodgy quote.
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Checklist
How to choose an electrician in Australia (checklist + red flags)
Anyone can call themselves an electrician. Only licensed ones can legally work on your house. Here's the eight-step check that takes ten minutes and prevents the most common rip-offs.
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How-to
How to read your Australian electricity bill (2026)
Most Australians have no idea what's on their power bill. Here's every line explained, plus the four numbers that actually decide your annual cost.
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How-to
How to safely change a light bulb (Australia, 2026)
Sounds obvious, but Australian electrical rules have specific dos and don'ts. Here's how to swap a bulb without electrocuting yourself, plus when the job is actually a sparky's.
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How-to
How to switch electricity providers in Australia (2026)
The Aussie energy market punishes loyal customers. Here's how to compare, switch, and avoid the common traps. Most households save $200 to $600 a year.
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How-to
How to test your RCD safety switch (Australia, 2026)
Pushing the test button on your safety switch every three months is the cheapest insurance in your house. Here's how to do it, what 'tripped' looks like, and when to call a sparky.
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How-to
How to test smoke alarms in your Aussie home (2026)
Smoke alarms save lives but only if they work. Here's the test schedule Australian Standard AS 3786 says you should follow, and what to do when one fails.
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explainer
Cost to install a ceiling fan in Australia (2026)
A ceiling fan is one of the cheapest ways to cut summer cooling costs. Here's what installation actually costs in 2026, with or without an existing light fitting.
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explainer
Replacing a light fitting in Australia: cost and what's involved
Swapping a pendant light, replacing a downlight, or upgrading to a chandelier, all licensed electrician work in Australia. Here's what it costs and what the sparky actually does.
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explainer
Replacing a power point in Australia: cost and what's involved
Cracked plate, USB upgrade, or a new double power point: it's all licensed electrician work in Australia. Here's what it costs in 2026 and what a sparky actually does.
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Licensing
Solar installation rebates by state: Australia 2026
Federal STCs plus state rebates cut Australian solar install costs by 30 to 50%. Here's what each state's program pays in 2026, who's eligible, and how the maths actually works out.
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Comparison
Type 1 vs Type 2 EV chargers in Australia (2026)
Australia uses Type 2 for AC charging on every new EV. Here's what that means for buying a charger, plus the CCS2 standard for DC fast charging.
Plumbing
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How-to
Why hot water systems fail in winter (and how to prevent it)
Demand spikes, the gear works harder, and the weak points show up. A few checks on the job save the 6am phone call.
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Career
How to become a plumber in Australia: 2026 apprentice guide
Plumbing is one of the best-paid trades in Australia and the one with the lowest unemployment. Here's the full pathway from school leaver to licensed plumber, with wages, costs, and state-by-state detail.
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explainer
Cost to install a dishwasher in Australia (2026)
Installing a dishwasher in an Aussie kitchen is a licensed plumber job. Here's what it costs, what's involved, and what to ask the plumber.
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Cost guide
Cost to renovate a bathroom in Australia (2026)
Bathroom renos are one of the most-quoted home jobs in Australia. Expect $15,000 for a basic refresh, $25,000 to $35,000 for a typical full reno, $50,000+ for premium.
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Comparison
Heat pump vs gas vs electric hot water (Australia 2026)
Heat pumps are taking over Aussie hot water, with state rebates worth thousands. Here's how the three options stack up on running cost, install cost, and lifespan in 2026.
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Cost guide
How much do plumbers charge per hour in Australia? 2026 rates
Plumber rates vary by state, by city, by time of day, and by what the job is. Here's the honest range for 2026, plus how to tell whether your quote is fair.
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How-to
How to change a toilet seat (Australia, 2026)
Replacing a toilet seat is one of the few plumbing jobs you can legally do yourself in Australia. Here's exactly how, in six steps, with the gotchas no one warns you about.
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How-to
How to clean a showerhead (Australia, 2026)
Mineral build-up cuts your shower flow long before the head fails. A 30-minute descale restores pressure and adds years of life. Here's the right way, with vinegar or commercial descaler.
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How-to
How to clean grout in Aussie bathrooms and kitchens (2026)
Mouldy grout makes a clean bathroom look filthy. Here's the realistic order to clean it, what works on mould, and when to regrout instead.
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explainer
How to fix a dripping tap in Australia (and when you can't DIY it)
Some Australian states let you replace a tap washer yourself. Others don't. Here's what's actually involved, the legal position by state, and what it costs if you call a plumber instead.
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explainer
How to fix low water pressure in Australian homes (2026)
Weak shower, slow taps, washing machine takes forever. Here's the order to check, what you can fix yourself, and what's a plumber job.
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explainer
How to fix water hammer in Australian homes (2026)
That bang in the pipes when you shut a tap is water hammer. Here's what causes it, the cheap fixes you can try, and when it needs a plumber.
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How-to
How to remove old silicone from a bathroom (Australia, 2026)
Stripping off old shower or bath silicone is half the battle in a re-seal. Here's the right way to remove every trace without scratching the tile.
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How-to
How to re-silicone a shower (Australia, 2026)
Fresh shower sealant stops leaks, prevents mould, and adds years to your bathroom, and it's a legitimate DIY job in every Australian state. Here's how to do it without it failing in six months.
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How-to
How to unblock a sink (Australia, 2026)
Slow-draining sinks are usually a five-minute fix. Here's the order of attack, from cheapest to most aggressive, and when to give up and call a plumber.
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How-to
How to unblock a toilet (Australia, 2026)
A blocked toilet is one of the few plumbing problems an Aussie homeowner can legally tackle. Here's how to do it safely, what not to do, and when to give up and dial a plumber.
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Licensing
Plumbing licence by state: Australia 2026 guide
Every Australian state regulates plumbing differently, here's what you need, what it costs, and how mutual recognition works between states.
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explainer
Replacing a kitchen sink in Australia: cost and process explained
Changing a kitchen sink involves the water supply, the drainage, and sometimes the benchtop. Here's what the work actually involves, what it costs in 2026, and how to choose a sink that won't disappoint.
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explainer
Replacing a showerhead: cost, options, and the rules in Australia
Swapping a showerhead is the most-Googled bathroom DIY in Australia. The reality is more regulated than YouTube makes out, here's what's actually involved, what it costs, and when you legally need a plumber.
Smart Home
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buying-guide
Best home security cameras in Australia (2026)
Aussie home security camera market has 20+ brands. Here's what matters, which ones are worth buying, and what's changed with the move from cloud to local storage.
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buying-guide
Best smart locks for Australian homes (2026)
Smart locks let you unlock with your phone, fingerprint, or PIN. Here's what to look for, which brands work in Aussie deadbolts, and what they cost installed in 2026.
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How-to
How to set up Apple HomeKit in your Aussie home (2026)
HomeKit is the most private, polished smart home platform in Australia. Here's how to set it up properly, which products work, and what's changed with Matter integration.
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Comparison
Matter vs Zigbee vs Z-Wave for Australian smart homes (2026)
Confused by smart home protocols? Here's what each standard actually does, which products use which, and why Matter is the one to bet on for new Aussie installs in 2026.
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Comparison
Tesla Powerwall vs Sungrow vs Enphase (Australia 2026)
The three battery brands most Aussie installers quote on. Different storage models, different price points, different lifespans. Here's how they really compare for an Australian home in 2026.