First-year electrical lineworker apprentice tool list

What your employer supplies

Network businesses and line contractors issue the gear for you. CitiPower and Powercor tell their apprentices that all tools and equipment are supplied, and Holmesglen's course page notes that because of the high-risk work, employers supply PPE and equipment. The Electrical Power Industry Award also says the employer provides all power tools, special purpose tools and precision measuring instruments.

• •Trucks, EWPs, crane borers, trailers and rigging gear
• •Fall arrest harness, pole strap, lanyards and rescue kits
• •Insulated gloves and sleeves, tested on a set schedule
• •Portable earths, voltage detectors, phasing testers and operating sticks
• •Arc-rated shirts and pants, wet weather gear, hard hat, safety glasses and face shield
• •Safety boots, usually through a boot allowance or issued pairs, depending on your agreement

What is worth buying yourself

Your personal kit is mostly about comfort and getting through long days outdoors. Check with your supervisor before you buy anything that goes on your belt or up the pole, because some depots have rules on what you can carry.

• •A good head torch for night faults and storm work
• •A multitool or pocket knife, if your depot allows it
• •A tape measure and a pencil or marker
• •Sunscreen, a broad brim for the ground and polarised safety-rated sunglasses
• •A big water bottle and an esky for long days away from the depot
• •A small notebook or phone case that survives rain and dust

Budget versus pro options

You do not need to spend big. For personal hand tools, budget ranges from Kincrome, Stanley and Ozito at Bunnings are fine for ground work. Pro brands such as Knipex, Klein Tools, Wiha and Sidchrome last longer and hold up to daily use. For head torches, Ledlenser and Milwaukee are popular on trucks, and Leatherman is the usual multitool. Insulated 1000 volt tools are made by these brands too, but leave insulated tools for live work to the employer, who must make sure they are rated and in test.

PPE: do not freelance it

In this trade, PPE is part of a tested safety system, not a fashion choice. Insulated gloves are electrically tested on a schedule, harnesses are inspected and tagged, and arc-rated clothing has a rating matched to the hazard. Wearing your own non-rated cotton shirt or an untested harness can make things worse in an arc flash or fall.

Under WHS law your employer has to provide the PPE the job needs. If something does not fit or is worn out, tell your supervisor and get it replaced rather than buying your own.

The tool allowance under the award

The Electrical Power Industry Award 2020 (MA000088) has a tool allowance at clause 17.3(c), but it only applies if your employer requires you to supply and maintain a basic tool kit. Because network businesses usually supply everything, most lineworker apprentices never see it. If you are on an enterprise agreement, check the agreement instead, as many replace the award allowance with their own clothing, boot or tool provisions.

We do not quote the dollar amount because it changes each July. Look up the current figure on the Fair Work award or with the Pay Calculator.

Claiming tools and gear at tax time

If you buy work tools or gear yourself and your employer does not reimburse you, you can usually claim a tax deduction. Items costing $300 or less can generally be claimed in full in the year you buy them, while dearer items are claimed over several years as they decline in value. You cannot claim things your employer paid for or reimbursed.

Because you work outdoors, the ATO also lets you claim sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses and hats. Keep every receipt. If you receive a tool or clothing allowance, it goes on your tax return as income.

State tool rebates: mostly not for this trade

State tool rebates have mostly been aimed at construction trades, and several have closed. Queensland's Free Tools for First Years rebate closed on 30 June 2025 when the funding ran out. In WA, the Construction Training Fund's Apprentice Tool Allowance is still open for eligible construction apprentices who commence between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2029, but it is tied to building and construction qualifications, so check the eligibility list before you count on it as a lineworker. Since your employer supplies the kit anyway, a rebate rarely matters in this trade.

First-week tips

• •Ask what is issued before you spend a cent, and ask about boot and clothing allowances under your agreement
• •Never use gear that is out of test, damaged or not tagged, and report it
• •Label your personal items, because trucks and depots are shared
• •Look after issued gear: clean it, store it properly and return it when asked