Where a Sydney train driver's salary sits against the national full-time average
If you're looking at a train driver salary in Sydney, you're probably wondering how it stacks up against the typical Australian full-time wage. The short answer is that it depends on experience, classification, and how much penalty work you do. But we can give you a clear picture using official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the enterprise agreement that covers most Sydney train drivers.
The national full-time average: the line on the chart
Every chart on this site draws a line at the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. That figure comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. For all full-time adults, average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70. Multiply by 52 weeks and you get about $108,352 a year. That's the benchmark we use to see whether a job pays above or below the middle of the pack.
It's important to keep this figure separate from the median. The full-time median, from the ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025, is about $90,532 a year. Half of full-time workers earn less than that, half earn more. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week.
Sydney Trains enterprise agreement rates
Most train drivers in Sydney are covered by the Sydney Trains enterprise agreement (AE529763), approved by the Fair Work Commission. The agreement sets minimum pay rates for classifications from RC1 to RC6, with multiple levels within each. The rates are updated periodically; the version we're looking at took effect from 1 July 2025.
Full-time weekly pay runs from $1,183.58 at the entry level (RC1, cleaner or labourer) up to $3,104.04 at the top classification. Train drivers typically fall into RC3 or higher. For example:
- RC3 Level A (qualified tradesperson, signaller trainee): $1,587.17 per week ($82,533 per year)
- Higher classifications for experienced drivers can exceed $2,000 per week
These are minimums. Actual take-home pay is often higher because of penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and overtime, plus allowances like annual leave loading. Casual employees get a 25% loading.
How does this compare to the national average?
Entry-level train driver rates under the agreement are below the national full-time average of $108,352. But senior classifications and experienced drivers can earn well above it, especially with penalties. The industry average for transport, postal and warehousing – the category that includes train drivers – is $2,032.30 per week for full-time adults, or about $105,679 per year. That's slightly below the all-industries average, but remember that's an average across many roles, not just drivers.
For context, the New South Wales full-time average is about $109,658 per year, a touch above the national figure. Sydney's cost of living is higher than many other parts of Australia, so the enterprise agreement rates reflect that to some extent.
What about other train operators?
Not all train drivers in Sydney work for Sydney Trains or NSW TrainLink. Private operators and freight companies have their own agreements or awards. The Fair Work Commission's awards may set different minimums. If you're comparing a specific job, check the applicable award or enterprise agreement. The How the figures are set page explains where to find official pay documents.
State and territory averages
If you're considering moving interstate, here are the full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings for each state and territory, from the ABS May 2026 survey (annualised by multiplying by 52):
- 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
Train driver pay in other states will be set by their own enterprise agreements or awards. The States and territories page has more detail.
Putting it all together
A Sydney train driver's salary can range from below the national full-time average to well above it, depending on experience and how much penalty work you do. The enterprise agreement minimums provide a floor, but many drivers earn more. If you want to see where a specific salary sits on the line, use the Place a salary on the line tool. It will show you the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, and how far you are from the national average.
Remember that the national average is just one point of comparison. Your personal circumstances – tax, deductions, and cost of living – will determine what you actually take home. The 2026–27 tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above that, plus the 2% Medicare levy.