What is the minimum hourly rate for a truck driver in Australia?

The minimum hourly rate depends on the classification under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020. For a Transport Worker Grade 1, the minimum is $26.87 per hour as of 1 July 2026. Higher grades pay more, up to $31.55 for Grade 10. If no award applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is the backstop. Junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates may be lower.

Do truck drivers get paid above the award rate?

Yes, many truck drivers earn above the award minimum. According to the ABS, the median weekly earnings for truck drivers are $1,780, which is well above the award minimum for a Grade 1 driver ($1,021 per week). Enterprise agreements or individual contracts can set higher rates, and overtime and allowances also boost pay. The award rate is only the legal floor.

Is superannuation included in the truck driver salary figures?

No. Superannuation is an employer payment on top of the salary or wage. The current super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. Award rates, the national minimum wage, and ABS earnings figures are all before super. When comparing job offers, always check whether super is quoted separately.

Truck driver salary: which pay floor applies and what drivers actually earn

The legal minimum for a truck driver depends on the award grade, ranging from $26.87 per hour for Transport Worker Grade 1, but the median truck driver salary is much higher at $1,780 per week.

Truck driver salary: separating the legal minimum from what drivers actually earn

When you search for "truck driver salary" in Australia, you will find a range of figures. That is because there is no single pay rate for all truck drivers. The legal minimum depends on the type of driving, the vehicle, and the applicable award. Many drivers are covered by the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for different grades. Above that, actual earnings vary widely based on experience, hours, and employer agreements.

The legal minimum: award rates and the national minimum wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. However, most truck drivers are covered by a modern award, which overrides the national minimum if its rates are higher.

The relevant award for most truck drivers is the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038). Under this award, the minimum hourly rates for transport workers range from $26.87 for Grade 1 to $31.55 for Grade 10. For example, a driver of a rigid truck (typically Grade 2) must be paid at least $27.51 per hour. A driver of a multi-axle trailer (Grade 10) gets $31.55 per hour. These rates are effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

It is important to note that the award also includes junior rates (as low as 70% for under 19), supported wages for employees with disability, and training wages. The national minimum wage remains a backstop: if an employee is not covered by any award or agreement, the national minimum applies. But for most truck drivers, the award rate is the legal floor.

What the ABS survey says about actual truck driver salary

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, through Jobs and Skills Australia, reports that the median weekly earnings for truck drivers are $1,780 (before tax). That is based on the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023. The median hourly earnings are $38. These figures include overtime and penalty rates, which many drivers work. They are not a minimum; they reflect what the typical driver actually earns.

By comparison, the award minimum for a Grade 1 driver is $1,021 per week. The gap shows that many drivers work more than 38 ordinary hours or receive allowances and penalties that push their pay well above the floor. It also reflects that some drivers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay more than the award.

Superannuation is on top

All salary and wage figures quoted here – award rates, national minimum, and ABS medians – are before superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into the employee's super fund. So a driver earning $1,780 per week would also receive about $213.60 in super contributions on top.

Which pay floor applies to you?

To know your legal minimum, first check if you are covered by a modern award. The Road Transport and Distribution Award covers most employees in the road transport industry, including truck drivers, furniture removalists, and tow truck drivers. If you work under an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum wage applies.

For more detail, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables for award classifications.

Common misunderstandings

A frequent mix-up is treating the median truck driver salary as a minimum. The median is a survey average, not a legal requirement. An employer can pay the award rate even if it is lower than the median. Another confusion is assuming the national minimum wage applies to all drivers. In most cases, the award rate is higher and is the correct floor. Finally, some people forget that super is extra – advertised salaries usually exclude the super guarantee.

Summary

Legal minimum (award): $26.87–$31.55 per hour depending on grade (from 1 July 2026).
National minimum wage backstop: $26.44 per hour.
Median actual earnings: $1,780 per week (ABS, May 2023).
Super guarantee: 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.

Always check your specific award classification and any enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free resources to help you calculate your correct pay.

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