Installs conductors and aerial equipment, and underground cables and equipment; installs and maintains equipment associated with electrical supply such as transformers; attends to electrical breakdowns and emergencies; maintains poles and associated hardware, and continuity of electrical supply and street lighting; conducts routine maintenance on the aerial and underground electricity supply network; conducts low voltage switching operations; fits pole hardware and crossarms.

• Works outdoors predominantly with high voltage and other electrical cables.
• Works in all weather conditions and may be on call 24 hours per day.
• May work in confined spaces, in trenches or at height.
• Frequently works in dirty and damp conditions and needs to observe stringent safety procedures when working with live cables.
• Uses protective clothing such as overalls, rubber gloves and boots, hard hats and other insulating items.

• Medium to heavy work.
• Stands frequently and climbs ladders and poles to install lines or undertake repairs. May work out of buckets, from platforms or other specialised lifting equipment. Sitting is occasionally required when reading plans or manuals and possibly when undertaking work in trenches. Occasionally walks about the work area to move equipment and materials.
• Stretches up and across frequently.
• Occasionally squats, crouches, bends or kneels in order to carry out tasks when working in trenches or underground. Twisting the body or neck is frequent.
• Work with cabling and joining materials is frequently required. Frequent repetitive hand and arm movements are required when using equipment and carrying out joining tasks. Employees frequently lift and carry joining materials and tools.
• Driving may be required to enable travel to work sites. Employees frequently use a range of hand and power equipment to carry out work tasks including line-testing equipment, ladders, shovels, chainsaws, screwdrivers, spanners and electrical tools.
• Mental skills necessary include communication, problem-solving, technical and practical skills.

• Employees do an apprenticeship and gain one of the following Level 4 qualifications (ANZSCO Skill Level 3): National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) and National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Transmission). These qualifications usually take two to three years to complete and are undertaken on the job. Once completed, line mechanics can apply for registration to the Electrical Workers Registration Board.
• Most employers will require an employee to have a driver's licence.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.