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Garbage man salary in Australia: weekly, yearly, and hourly rates

The minimum award rate for a full-time adult waste collection worker (Level 1 under the Waste Management Award 2020) is $1,143.98 per week, or about $59,487 per year, which is below the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Garbage man salary: award rates and comparisons

If you're looking up "garbage man salary", you're probably after the typical pay for a waste collection worker in Australia. While the term is informal, the job is covered by the Waste Management Award 2020 (MA000043), which sets minimum pay rates for employees in the waste industry. This article breaks down the award minimums, how they compare to national averages, and what you can expect to earn.

Minimum award rates under the Waste Management Award 2020

From 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time adult employee at Level 1 (the entry classification for waste collection) is $1,143.98 per week, which includes the industry allowance of $122.98. This works out to:

  • $30.11 per hour (based on a 38-hour week)
  • About $59,487 per year (weekly rate × 52)

Higher classification levels pay more. For example, a Level 3 worker receives $1,180.58 per week ($31.07 per hour), and a Level 9 worker receives $1,393.88 per week ($36.68 per hour). These rates are set by Fair Work and apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top.

How does this compare to the national full-time average?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026 (about $108,352 per year). That's the figure used as the benchmark on this site. The award minimum for a garbage man is roughly 55% of the national average.

Even the highest award classification (Level 9) at $1,393.88 per week ($72,482 per year) is still below the national average. This highlights that waste collection is generally a lower-paid occupation compared to the broader workforce.

Medians and other benchmarks

For a more typical picture, the ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) gives:

  • Full-time median earnings: about $90,532 per year
  • All-employees median: about $74,100 per year

The award minimum for a garbage man is below both medians. However, many workers earn above the award rate due to overtime, allowances, or enterprise agreements.

State-by-state variations

Full-time average earnings vary across Australia. Here are the state averages from the ABS (May 2026):

  • New South Wales: $109,658
  • Victoria: $106,137
  • Queensland: $106,064
  • South Australia: $102,450
  • Western Australia: $115,825
  • Tasmania: $96,008
  • Northern Territory: $103,173
  • Australian Capital Territory: $119,090

A garbage man on the award minimum would earn less than the state average in every jurisdiction. However, wages in Western Australia and the ACT tend to be higher overall, so the gap is larger there.

National minimum wage vs award rate

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, about $52,255 per year). The Waste Management Award's Level 1 rate of $30.11 per hour is above the national minimum, reflecting the industry allowance and the nature of the work.

Tax on a garbage man salary

For the 2026–27 financial year, the tax rates are:

  • Nil on the first $18,200
  • 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
  • 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
  • 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
  • 45% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2%. On a salary of $59,487, you would pay roughly $8,500 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $51,000 after tax.

Where to find more information

Summary

The typical garbage man salary in Australia, based on the minimum award rate, is about $59,500 per year. This is below the national full-time average of $108,352 and the full-time median of $90,532. Actual pay can be higher with experience, overtime, or in higher classifications. For the most current rates, always check the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.

Questions

What is the average garbage man salary in Australia?

There is no single published average for 'garbage man' as a specific occupation. The most relevant benchmark is the minimum rate under the Waste Management Award 2020, which for a full-time adult Level 1 employee (including industry allowance) is $1,143.98 per week, or about $59,487 per year. Actual earnings may be higher depending on experience, overtime, and location.

How does the garbage man salary compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year) according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. The award minimum for a waste collection worker is well below this average. It also sits below the full-time median of about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).

What are the tax implications for a garbage man salary?

For the 2026–27 financial year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. On a salary of about $59,487, you would pay 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000, and 30% on income above that up to $135,000. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies. Use the ATO's tax calculator for a precise estimate.

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