Truck driver salary: how awards compare to the national minimum wage

Understanding truck driver salary under Australian awards

When you ask about a truck driver salary in Australia, the answer depends on whether you look at the legal minimum or what drivers actually earn. The national minimum wage sets a floor, but most truck drivers are covered by the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, which has its own classification structure. And the typical full-time driver earns well above both.

What the award says

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, which covers transport employees including truck drivers, tanker drivers, furniture removalists, and tow truck drivers. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates for transport workers range from $1,021.00 (Transport Worker Grade 1) to $1,198.80 (Transport Worker Grade 10). These are for full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. The hourly rates range from $26.87 to $31.55.

For comparison, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week. So even the lowest award grade pays slightly more than the national minimum. Higher grades reflect additional skills, licences, or responsibilities – for example, driving a heavy combination vehicle or carrying dangerous goods.

The award also covers distribution facility employees, with rates from $1,057.60 to $1,169.70 per week. But for truck drivers specifically, the transport worker grades apply.

What truck drivers actually earn

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for a full-time truck driver are $1,780. That’s about 85 on the salary index, where 100 equals the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week. The median hourly rate is $38, which is above the award minimums and the national minimum wage.

This gap between award minimums and median earnings shows that many truck drivers are paid above the award. Enterprise agreements, market demand, and industry premiums push pay higher. For example, truck drivers in mining can earn significantly more than those in general freight. The industries page shows mining has an index of 154.7, while transport, postal and warehousing is not separately listed but likely sits above retail (75.9) and below professional services (114.7).

How the salary index works

The salary index compares any gross annual salary to the national line. For a truck driver earning $1,780 per week, annualised that’s about $92,560 (52 weeks). Divide by the national line of $108,352 and multiply by 100 gives an index of 85.4. That’s well above the national minimum wage index of 48.2, but below the all-occupations average of 100. You can read more about how the index works.

State differences also matter. A truck driver in Western Australia (state index 106.9) may earn more than one in Tasmania (88.6) due to cost-of-living adjustments and industry mix. The [states page has more detail.

Awards versus the national minimum wage

The writing angle here is awards versus the national minimum wage. The award is the legal floor, but the national minimum wage is the absolute minimum for any employee not covered by an award. For truck drivers, the award applies almost universally, so the national minimum wage is rarely the actual rate. However, understanding the gap helps put the truck driver salary in perspective.

For a Transport Worker Grade 1, the award minimum is $1,021 per week – only $16 more than the national minimum. But a Grade 10 driver earns $1,198.80, which is $194 more. The award also includes allowances for things like overnight travel, multi-drop deliveries, and driving low loaders over 43 tonnes. These add to the base rate.

Superannuation and tax

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $92,560 salary, the employer contributes about $11,107 to super. For tax, a resident resident with the tax-free threshold, the 2026–27 rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, plus 2% Medicare levy. A truck driver earning $92,560 would pay roughly $18,500 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $74,000 take-home.

Common questions about truck driver pay

Is the award minimum the same for casuals? No. Casual employees get a loading of 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Grade 1 driver, that’s $33.61 per hour.

Do all truck drivers get overtime? Many do. The average full-time truck driver works 49 hours per week, which is 11 hours over the ordinary 38. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half for the first three hours and double time after that, under the award.

How do I know which grade applies? The award has a classification structure based on vehicle type, load, and duties. A general truck driver (rigid vehicle under 12 tonnes) is usually Grade 2 or 3. Heavy combination vehicles like a semi-trailer are higher. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides classification definitions.

Summary

A truck driver salary in Australia is governed by the Road Transport and Distribution Award, but the median full-time driver earns about 85 on the salary index – well above the national minimum wage. The award provides a safety net, but market forces, industry, and location push pay higher. For more on how different jobs compare, see the topics page.

If you’re negotiating a truck driver role, remember that the award minimum is just the starting point. Actual pay can be significantly higher, especially in mining or remote areas. And with the super guarantee at 12%, your total remuneration package is even larger.