Garbage Truck Driver Salary: Award Rates, State Differences, and the National Line
A garbage truck driver’s salary is not a single figure. It depends on the classification under the Waste Management Award 2020, the state or territory where you work, your experience, and whether you receive overtime or allowances. This article explains how the award sets a floor, how state averages shift the picture, and where a typical driver sits relative to the national full-time average.
The Waste Management Award: The Minimum Floor
The Waste Management Award 2020 (MA000043) covers garbage truck drivers and other waste industry workers. Fair Work publishes the award’s minimum rates, which apply nationally. For a full-time adult employee, the award includes a classification-based minimum rate plus an industry allowance.
According to the pay guide from Fair Work, the minimum weekly rate for a Level 1 full-time employee is $1,143.98, which is $30.11 per hour. This already includes the industry allowance of $122.98 per week. For a Level 2 driver, the rate is $1,168.48 per week ($30.75 per hour). The award itself confirms the underlying minimum weekly rates (e.g., Level 1 $1,021.00) plus the separate allowance, totalling the same figure.
These rates are higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). The award also provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday work, as well as shift allowances, which can significantly boost weekly pay.
How the National Average Compares
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is the ‘line’ on this site. A Level 1 garbage truck driver on the award minimum earns about $1,143.98 per week, or roughly $59,500 per year (52 weeks). That is about 55% of the national average.
However, many garbage truck drivers do not stay at the minimum. Overtime, weekend penalties, and higher classifications (Level 3 and above) can push earnings higher. The award’s penalty rates for Saturday (first 2 hours) are 150% of the ordinary rate, and Sunday rates are 200%. Public holiday rates are 250%. A driver working regular overtime or weekends could earn well above the minimum.
State Differences: Why Location Matters
State full-time averages vary considerably, and this affects what employers may offer above the award. The on-site notes show:
- 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 truck driver in Western Australia or the ACT is likely to see higher over-award payments than one in Tasmania, reflecting the broader labour market. Enterprise agreements in some states or with larger councils may set rates above the award minimum. The award itself is national, but state-based bargaining can lift pay.
Beyond the Minimum: Allowances and Overtime
The Waste Management Award includes several allowances that add to weekly pay. For example, a leading hand allowance (if supervising others) is a percentage of the standard rate (Level 6 minimum). The industry allowance is already included in the rates above. Drivers may also receive a meal allowance or a tool allowance.
Overtime is paid at 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter on weekdays, with higher rates on weekends. A driver working 10 hours of overtime per week could add $300–$500 to their weekly pay, depending on their classification.
Where to See Your Salary on the Line
You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average, the full-time median ($90,532), and the all-employees median ($74,100). You can also explore states and territories to see how your state’s average affects the comparison.
Summary
A garbage truck driver’s salary is anchored by the Waste Management Award, which sets a minimum of about $59,500 per year for a Level 1 employee. But actual earnings can be much higher due to overtime, penalties, and state-specific conditions. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark, but many drivers will fall below it unless they work significant overtime or are in a higher classification. Understanding the award and your state’s average is key to knowing where your pay sits.
For more detail on how award rates are set, see How the figures are set.