Bus driver salary in Australia: award rates, median pay, and what it means after tax
Understand bus driver salary in Australia: award minimums under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, median earnings, super, tax, and where pay sits on the national index.
The median bus driver salary sits around index 86, while award minimums range from index 50 to 62, depending on classification.
What is a bus driver salary?
A bus driver salary is the gross pay before tax for someone who drives buses, coaches, or other passenger vehicles. It covers school bus drivers, charter and tour bus drivers, and public transit drivers. In Australia, most bus drivers are covered by the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020 (Fair Work Ombudsman), which sets minimum wages and conditions. Actual earnings can be higher due to enterprise agreements, experience, or overtime.
Award minimum rates for bus drivers
The Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020 classifies drivers into six grades based on vehicle type, route complexity, and duties. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates are:
- Grade 1: $27.34
- Grade 2: $27.97
- Grade 3: $29.55
- Grade 4: $30.59
- Grade 5: $32.27
- Grade 6: $33.70
Full-time employees work an average of 38 ordinary hours per week, so a Grade 3 driver earns at least $1,122.80 per week (annualised $58,390). These are minimums; many drivers earn above them. The award also includes allowances, such as $17.52 per shift for driving an articulated bus and $1.00 per km for using your own vehicle.
Median earnings for bus and coach drivers
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial bus and coach drivers are $1,795. That annualises to about $93,340. The median hourly rate is $41, well above the top award grade. This gap suggests many drivers are paid above award, possibly through enterprise agreements or overtime. About 60% of bus drivers work full-time, and the average full-time week is 42 hours.
Where does a bus driver salary sit on the Salary Index?
The Salary Index compares yearly gross pay to the national line of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A median bus driver salary of $93,340 gives an index of about 86. That is below the all-occupations median of 100 but above the national minimum wage index of 48.2. Award minimums range from index 50 (Grade 1) to 62 (Grade 6). So a bus driver on award rates is near the bottom of the index, while the median driver sits closer to the middle.
Gross pay, super, and tax
Bus driver salaries are quoted as gross pay. On top of that, employers must pay superannuation at 12% from 1 July 2026. For a driver earning $93,340, that adds $11,200.80 in super contributions. Tax is calculated on the gross salary using 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare): nil up to $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% up to $135,000, and so on. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A driver on $93,340 would pay about $20,167 in tax plus Medicare, leaving a take-home of roughly $71,173 plus the super. Actual take-home depends on your circumstances.
State and industry context
Bus drivers are concentrated in the Transport, Postal and Warehousing industry. State-level indices from the on-site reference show variation: Western Australia at 106.9, New South Wales at 101.2, Victoria at 98.0, and Tasmania at 88.6. While bus driver pay may not perfectly match these averages, drivers in higher-earning states like WA might see better rates. Check state guides for local award coverage or enterprise agreements.
How to interpret bus driver salary data
The figures here come from public sources: the Fair Work Ombudsman award and ABS survey data. They are benchmarks, not offers. Your actual salary depends on your employer, location, experience, and whether you work under an enterprise agreement. Use the pay guides and industries pages to compare with other roles. The Salary Index helps you see where any pay figure sits against the national line.
Questions people ask
What is the average bus driver salary in Australia?
The median full-time bus driver salary is about $1,795 per week before tax, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). That works out to roughly $93,340 a year. However, many drivers earn less if paid at award minimums, which start at $27.34 per hour for Grade 1. Actual pay depends on the employer, location, and any enterprise agreements.
How much do bus drivers earn per hour under the award?
Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020, minimum hourly rates from 1 July 2026 are: Grade 1 $27.34, Grade 2 $27.97, Grade 3 $29.55, Grade 4 $30.59, Grade 5 $32.27, and Grade 6 $33.70. These rates apply to full-time adult employees. Casual drivers get a 25% loading on top. Many drivers earn above these minimums through experience or enterprise agreements.
Do bus drivers get superannuation?
Yes, bus drivers are entitled to superannuation contributions from their employer. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. This is paid on top of the gross salary. For example, a driver earning $93,340 would receive an additional $11,200.80 in super contributions per year, subject to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.