Truck driver salary in Australia
A truck driver salary in Australia is typically set by the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, which covers transport workers. The award provides minimum weekly rates for full-time employees. The minimum weekly rates for a Transport Worker Grade 1 is $1,021.00 per week for a Grade 1, and for a Transport Worker Grade 10 is $1,198.80 per week. That works out to about $53,092 to $62,338 a year on a 38-hour week. These are the minimums, not necessarily what drivers earn. Many drivers earn more through overtime, penalty rates and allowances.
How the truck driver salary compares to the national average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is about $108,352 a year. The award minimums are about $1,021 to $1,198.80 per week, which is about $1,000 to $1,200 below the average. The average is about $108,352 a year. The award minimums are about $53,000 to $62,000 a year. That is well below the national average.
Factors that affect truck driver salary
Truck driver pay can vary by grade. The award has 10 grades. Higher grades require more experience or driving. Drivers of low loaders get extra for each tonne over 43 tonnes. Drivers of multi-axle trailing equipment get extra for carrying capacity over 70 tonnes. Overtime and penalty rates are paid at higher rates. Saturday ordinary hours are at 1.5 times the hourly rate. Sunday at 2 times. Public holidays at 2.5 times. Christmas Day at 2.5 times. The pay guide shows rates for each grade.
State averages for truck drivers
The state full-time averages: New South Wales full-time average about $109,658; Victoria full-time average about $106,137; Queensland full-time average about $106,064; South Australia full-time average about $102,450; Western Australia full-time average about $115,825; Tasmania full-time average about $96,008; Northern Territory full-time average about $103,173; Australian Capital Territory full-time average about $119,090. The award minimums are below all state averages.
How the figures are set
The figures are set by the Fair Work Commission. The award minimums are reviewed each year. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.9 a week, about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. Award minimums rose 4.75% in 2026. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, for May and November. The latest is May 2026. The median is from ABS Employee earnings, August 2025.
Tax on truck driver salary
Resident tax 2026–27: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above that. Medicare levy 2% before reductions. A truck driver earning the award minimum of $53,000 to $62,000 would be in the 30% tax bracket. After tax and Medicare, take-home pay would be about $44,000 to $50,000.
Conclusion
The truck driver salary under the award is well below the national full-time average. The award minimums are about $53,000 to $62,000 a year, while the national average is $108,352. Many drivers earn more through overtime and allowances. For more information, see Place a salary on the line or States and territories.