What is the minimum wage for a garbage truck driver under the Waste Management Award?

Under the Waste Management Award 2020, a full-time garbage truck driver is classified at Level 2 (typical for a driver) and must be paid at least $30.75 per hour or $1,168.48 per week as of 1 July 2026. This rate includes the industry allowance. Part-time and casual employees receive pro-rata or casual loadings respectively. The award also has junior rates: under 19 years get 70% of the adult rate, 19 years get 80%, and 20 years get 100%.

Do garbage truck drivers get superannuation on top of their pay?

Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee, which is 12% of ordinary time earnings as of 2026-27, on top of the gross wage. This applies to both award-covered and award-free drivers. The super contribution is not deducted from the advertised hourly rate; it is an additional payment the employer makes to a complying super fund.

Can a garbage truck driver be paid less than the award rate?

Generally no, if the driver is covered by the Waste Management Award. The award sets the minimum pay and conditions. However, an enterprise agreement registered with the Fair Work Commission can provide different rates, as long as they are not less than the award overall. Also, junior employees, apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability may be paid less under specific award provisions. Award-free drivers (very rare in this industry) are entitled to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Garbage Truck Driver Salary: Award Rates and Legal Minimums in Australia

The minimum pay for a garbage truck driver covered by the Waste Management Award is $30.75 per hour (Level 2, including industry allowance) as of 1 July 2026, while award-free drivers are entitled to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Garbage Truck Driver Salary: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates

If you are researching the garbage truck driver salary in Australia, the first thing to understand is which legal pay floor applies to your job. Most garbage truck drivers are covered by the Waste Management Award 2020, a modern award made by the Fair Work Commission. This award sets minimum hourly and weekly rates that are higher than the national minimum wage. For drivers not covered by any award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies.

Legal Minimums: The National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission reviews the national minimum wage each year. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award-free employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

However, not every worker must receive $26.44 an hour. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with a supported wage can be paid less under specific rules. For award-free juniors, the percentages are set by the Fair Work Ombudsman: for example, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% of the adult rate ($12.51 per hour casual).

Award Coverage: The Waste Management Award

The Waste Management Award covers employers throughout Australia in the waste management industry and their employees in classifications listed in the award. A typical garbage truck driver would be classified at Level 2 (or possibly Level 3 depending on duties). The award minimum rates from 1 July 2026, including the industry allowance, are:

Level 1: $30.11 per hour ($1,143.98 per week)
Level 2: $30.75 per hour ($1,168.48 per week)
Level 3: $31.07 per hour ($1,180.58 per week)
Level 4: $31.56 per hour ($1,199.18 per week)
Level 5: $31.91 per hour ($1,212.58 per week)
Level 6: $32.66 per hour ($1,240.98 per week)
Level 7: $34.79 per hour ($1,321.78 per week)
Level 8: $36.36 per hour ($1,381.68 per week)
Level 9: $36.68 per hour ($1,393.88 per week)

These rates are the legal minimum for award-covered employees. Casual drivers receive a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate (e.g., Level 2 casual: $38.44 per hour). Part-time employees are paid pro-rata based on 38 ordinary hours.

Junior rates under the award are a percentage of the adult rate: under 19 years get 70%, 19 years get 80%, and 20 years get 100%. Note that a junior aged 18 or over who drives and is in sole charge of a motor vehicle must be paid the adult rate.

Negotiated Salaries and Enterprise Agreements

The award rate is the floor, not the ceiling. Many garbage truck drivers are paid above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. An enterprise agreement, registered with the Fair Work Commission, can set different pay rates and conditions, but must pass the better-off-overall test. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, but this is an average that includes many higher-paid roles. For waste industry drivers, actual salaries can vary by location, experience, and employer.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

When discussing the garbage truck driver salary, remember that superannuation is an additional payment. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings (as of 2026-27). This is paid by the employer into a super fund and is not deducted from the advertised hourly rate. For example, a driver earning $30.75 per hour would have an additional $3.69 per hour contributed to super, making the total employment cost $34.44 per hour.

Which Minimum Wage Applies?

To determine your correct pay floor, first check if you are covered by the Waste Management Award. Most private-sector waste collection companies are in the national system and must apply the award. If you are award-free (very rare in this industry), the national minimum wage applies. You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to check your award coverage. For more information, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables on this site.

Summary

The garbage truck driver salary is primarily regulated by the Waste Management Award, with a minimum of $30.75 per hour for a Level 2 driver. Award-free drivers receive the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. Enterprise agreements and individual contracts can set higher rates. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top. Always verify your classification and any applicable allowances or penalties.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.