How to compare a garbage truck driver salary offer using take-home pay
Under the Waste Management Award, a garbage truck driver on a rear loader over 14 tonnes earns at least $31.91 per hour, or $63,054 per year, with a take-home pay of about $2,016 per fortnight after tax and Medicare.
Comparing a garbage truck driver salary offer
When you see a job ad for a garbage truck driver, the headline figure is often the annual salary or hourly rate. But what matters is the amount that lands in your bank account each fortnight after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide uses the latest award rates from Fair Work and the 2026–27 tax tables to help you compare offers.
Award rates by truck type
The Waste Management Award (MA000043) sets minimum pay for each classification. The rates below include the industry allowance and apply from the first full pay period after 1 July 2026. Fair Work publishes the full pay guide for this award.
| Level | Typical truck | Licence needed | Hourly rate | Annual salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Runner, offsider, depot hand | None | $30.75 | $60,761 |
| 3 | Trainee driver up to 14 t | LR or MR | $31.07 | $61,390 |
| 4 | Waste vehicle 4.5–14 t | LR or MR | $31.56 | $62,357 |
| 5 | Rear loader, side lift, hook lift over 14 t | MR or HR | $31.91 | $63,054 |
| 6 | Front lift, SOLO, articulated over 30 t | HR or HC | $32.66 | $64,531 |
| 9 | B-double | MC | $36.68 | $72,482 |
These are minimums. Many council contracts and large operators pay above award through enterprise agreements. The Australian Taxation Office reports that the median salary or wage for all truck drivers (including waste) was $83,815 in 2023–24, so actual earnings can be higher.
What you take home
To see the real value of a garbage truck driver salary, subtract income tax and the Medicare levy. The 2026–27 tax rates are:
- Up to $18,200: nil
- $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
- $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
- $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
- Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000
The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax for lower incomes. The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income, with reduced rates for singles earning between $28,011 and $35,013.
Using these rules, here are the estimated take-home amounts for full-time garbage truck drivers (38 hours per week, 52 weeks):
| Level | Annual salary | Tax + Medicare | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $60,761 | $10,198 | $1,957 |
| 5 | $63,054 | $10,652 | $2,016 |
| 6 | $64,531 | $10,962 | $2,054 |
| 9 | $72,482 | $13,387 | $2,260 |
These are estimates only. They exclude HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging. Super is paid on top of these amounts – if an ad says “$63,054 plus super”, that means your employer adds 12% to your super account, not to your take-home pay.
Shift and penalty rates
Garbage truck drivers often start early. Under the award, day workers can start from 4 am without a penalty. If you work afternoon shift (usually starting after 12 pm), you get 117.5% of the base rate. Night shift pays 130%. Public holiday rates are 200% for most days. Overtime is paid at 150% for the first two hours and 200% thereafter.
For example, a Level 5 driver on afternoon shift earns $37.49 per hour, and on night shift $41.48. These higher rates boost your take-home pay significantly if you work those shifts regularly.
How to compare offers
When you receive a job offer, look beyond the annual figure. Use our Take-home pay calculator to estimate what you’ll actually receive each fortnight. Consider:
- Is the rate above the award? Check the classification matches the truck you’ll drive.
- Does the ad say “plus super”? If so, the salary is before super – your take-home is based on the salary alone.
- Are shift penalties or overtime guaranteed? Some jobs include a shift loading in the base rate.
- Does the employer offer salary packaging? This can reduce your taxable income and increase take-home pay.
For more context, see the Minimum wage page to compare against the national minimum of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The Average pay page shows the all-employees average weekly total earnings of $1,579.20.
The bottom line
A garbage truck driver salary under the award ranges from about $60,761 for a runner to $72,482 for a B-double driver. After tax and Medicare, that translates to $1,957 to $2,260 per fortnight. Actual earnings can be higher with enterprise agreements, overtime, and shift work. Always check the classification and ask about penalties to get a true picture of your take-home pay.
Questions
What is the minimum hourly rate for a garbage truck driver?
It depends on the truck. A runner or offsider (Level 2) gets $30.75 per hour. A driver of a rear loader over 14 tonnes (Level 5) gets $31.91. A front lift or SOLO driver (Level 6) gets $32.66. A B-double driver (Level 9) gets $36.68. These are minimum award rates from Fair Work's Waste Management Award, effective from the first full pay period after 1 July 2026.
How much take-home pay can I expect per fortnight?
For a Level 5 driver earning $63,054 per year, the take-home pay is about $2,016 per fortnight after income tax and the 2% Medicare levy. A Level 6 driver on $64,531 takes home about $2,054 per fortnight. A Level 9 driver on $72,482 takes home about $2,260. These estimates use 2026–27 tax rates and the single-person Medicare thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013. Super is paid on top of these amounts.
Do shift penalties apply to garbage truck drivers?
Yes. Ordinary day hours can start from 4 am, so early starts are not paid extra unless they fall outside the day shift window. Afternoon shift pays 117.5% of the base rate (e.g., $37.49 for Level 5) and night shift pays 130% ($41.48 for Level 5). Public holiday rates are 200% for most days. Overtime rates also apply. Check the award for full details.