What is the minimum hourly rate for a truck driver under the Road Transport Award?

From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates for transport workers range from $26.87 (Grade 1) to $31.55 (Grade 10) for full-time employees. For example, a Transport Worker Grade 3 earns $27.83 per hour. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the casual rate $34.79 per hour for Grade 3. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and are updated annually.

How do I calculate annual pay from an hourly truck driver rate?

Multiply the hourly rate by the number of ordinary hours worked per week (typically 38 for full-time) and then by 52 weeks. For example, $27.83 × 38 × 52 = $54,992.08 per year. This assumes no overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. Superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of this amount. For casuals, use the casual rate including loading before multiplying.

Does the truck driver salary include superannuation and tax?

No. The annual figure from hourly conversion is gross pay before tax and before super. Superannuation is an additional 12% contribution by the employer, capped at the maximum contribution base ($270,830 in 2026–27). Tax is deducted using the 2026–27 resident tax scales: nil up to $18,200, then 15%, 30%, 37%, and 45% for higher brackets, plus a 2% Medicare levy. Use our [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) tool for a net estimate.

Truck Driver Salary: Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Pay Under the Road Transport Award

For a Transport Worker Grade 3 under the Road Transport and Distribution Award, the minimum hourly rate is $27.83, yielding an annual salary of approximately $54,992 before tax and super, assuming 38 ordinary hours per week.

Understanding Truck Driver Salary: From Hourly to Annual

If you're a truck driver or employer trying to work out annual pay from an hourly rate, the key is knowing the correct classification under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 [MA000038]. This award covers most truck drivers, delivery drivers, and distribution facility employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides the official minimum rates, which are updated each July after the Annual Wage Review.

The Formula for Annual Gross Pay

The standard conversion is straightforward:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time employees under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week (averaged over a work cycle). So if you're a Transport Worker Grade 3 earning $27.83 per hour, your annual salary is:

$27.83 × 38 × 52 = $54,992.08

This is the base annual figure before any overtime, allowances, or penalty rates. It also assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid leave. For part-time employees, use the agreed weekly hours; for casuals, use the casual rate (including the 25% loading) but remember casuals are paid a minimum of 4 hours per engagement.

Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 for casuals. However, a truck driver salary under the award is higher. The award has 10 transport worker grades, from Grade 1 ($26.87) to Grade 10 ($31.55). Most experienced truck drivers fall between Grades 3 and 6. For example:

Grade 3: $27.83/hour → $54,992/year
Grade 6: $29.00/hour → $57,304/year
Grade 10: $31.55/hour → $62,358/year

These rates are the legal minimum. Many enterprise agreements or individual contracts pay above award, but the award sets the floor.

Casual Loading and Overtime

Casual employees get a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. For a Grade 3 driver, that's $27.83 × 1.25 = $34.79 per hour. When working overtime, casuals lose the 25% loading but receive an additional 10% of the minimum hourly rate on top of overtime penalty rates (time-and-a-half then double time). See the award for full details.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

Many transport companies pay fortnightly. To get your fortnightly gross:

Fortnightly = weekly pay × 2

Weekly pay = hourly rate × 38. For Grade 3: $27.83 × 38 = $1,057.54 per week, or $2,115.08 per fortnight.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) into a complying fund. This is on top of the gross salary. For a Grade 3 driver earning $54,992, the super contribution would be $6,599.04 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an additional cost to the employer.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay depends on tax brackets. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15%
$45,001 – $135,000: 30%
$135,001 – $190,000: 37%
Over $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy (based on 2025–26 thresholds). For a $54,992 annual salary, the tax would be approximately $8,198 plus Medicare $1,100, leaving around $45,694 net. Use our take-home pay calculator for a precise estimate.

Comparing to Average Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time earnings at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That's about $108,352 per year. A truck driver salary under the award is below this average, but many drivers earn above award through overtime, allowances, or enterprise agreements. The ABS figure includes all industries and occupations.

Using Our Pay Guides and Reference Tables

For a full list of award rates, allowances, and penalty rates, see our pay guides page. You can also check the reference tables for hourly to annual conversions across all award classifications. If you're a casual, don't forget to add the 25% loading using our casual loading tool.

Important Notes on This Estimate

This conversion assumes you work 38 ordinary hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For the most accurate truck driver salary calculation, always refer to the current award and your specific employment arrangement. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission are the authoritative sources for minimum rates and conditions.