Tradesperson - How much $.

Do you really want to know how much we have to earn each week just to survive?
Well, here goes,

Firstly how much do you think the average wage is in Australia?
I bet you’ll be shocked to know that it’s around $900.00 PW

Sounds good. I wish everyone trade could guarantee that!

Here is a list of weekly expenses for the average tradie.
Starting with his operation costs then his legislation requirements. And finally moving on to his lifestyle costs.

TRANSPORT	Fuel @ $1.50 per litre	85.00
	Vehicle Registration	15.38
	Vehicle Insurance	23.00
	Wear and Repairs	30.00
TOOLS	Upgrading	20.00
	Replacement Costs	15.00
	Maintenance	10.00
	Electrical Tool Tagging	6.66
OFFICE	Mobile Phone	20.00
	Home Fax/Phone	2.00
	Computer Quotes/Invoicing	5.00
	Electricity	2.50
	Stationery and furniture	2.00
Insurance	Income Protection	60.00
	Public Liability	12.00
	Professional Indemnity	27.26
	Interim Workers comp Policy	3.55
LEGAL	Builders Licence	3.84
	Contract Agreements	6.00
	OH&S Courses	4.00
	WorkCover Documents	2.00
	Study Reward Points	-
LIFESTYLE	Sick Days	-
	Super payments	100
	Holiday Saving	125.00
GRAND TOTAL	Before any income	$579.69

This is what it cost the average tradie in Australia to survive and meet all the requirements to keep his builders licence.

The Tools column is for a small operator like a Painter or Wall and Floor Tiler. Electrical tagging for a Carpenter would be Triple that cost, because of all his tools.

And for an Asbestos Removalist the cost of Insurance would be quadruple. Same goes for his legal requirements.

Transport is not just getting to work and back. It means picking up Materials, Tools, driving to quotes, banking, checking upcoming jobs and general duties involved in a business.

Office costs will vary with everybody also. Some have a separate office set up to welcome customers. Others have a ‘car dashboard’ filled with dockets and food containers.

Lifestyle. Now this is not what they want, it’s what they need. Everyone would love to have 4 weeks holiday a year. Now for a tradie to do that he needs to not only cover his expenses for that month, but also cover his holiday without draining his bank account. Most people gain another 17% loading from their employee. I have not even included that in the sums.

There are also trades that have multiple licences. Subscription fees to HIA or the Master Builders Ass.
Some have additional tickets for other related work they have to perform or it cuts their costs to do it themselves
.

Wage $900 + Costs $579.69 = $1,479.69
GST = $ 147.97
Total = $1,627.66

So there you have it. That is the minimum ANY Tradesman or Tradeswoman needs to survive a week in Australia.

Welcome to ‘The Lucky Country’.