What is the minimum wage for a bus driver in Brisbane?

The legal minimum depends on the applicable award. For most private-sector bus drivers, the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020 sets minimum hourly rates from $27.34 (Grade 1) to $33.70 (Grade 6) as of 1 July 2026. However, many Brisbane bus drivers are covered by a specific council award or enterprise agreement that pays higher. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies only if no award or agreement covers the driver.

How much do Brisbane City Council bus drivers earn?

Under the 2025 wage agreement between Brisbane City Council and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, the most experienced bus driver earns $37.79 per hour. Base annual salaries range from $69,174 for entry-level drivers to $74,673 for the most experienced, based on a 38-hour week. Drivers can earn significantly more through overtime and allowances, with some earning up to $150,436 per year, though that requires extreme overtime.

Do bus drivers in Brisbane get superannuation?

Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. This is a separate payment added to the driver's salary, not deducted from it.

Bus Driver Salary Brisbane: Award Minimums vs Council Pay Rates

The federal award minimum for a bus driver in Brisbane ranges from $27.34 to $33.70 per hour, but Brisbane City Council drivers earn a negotiated rate of up to $37.79 per hour under their enterprise agreement.

Bus Driver Salary Brisbane: Award Minimums and Council Pay Rates

Understanding the pay floor for a bus driver salary in Brisbane requires separating the legal minimum from the rates actually paid by major employers. This guide covers the federal award, the Brisbane City Council enterprise agreement, and how the national minimum wage fits in.

The Federal Award Minimum for Bus Drivers

The Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020 (MA000063) covers employers in the passenger vehicle transportation industry and their employees. As of 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes these minimum weekly and hourly rates for adult employees:

Grade 1: $27.34 per hour
Grade 2: $27.97 per hour
Grade 3: $29.55 per hour
Grade 4: $30.59 per hour
Grade 5: $32.27 per hour
Grade 6: $33.70 per hour

These are the legal minimums for ordinary hours (an average of 38 per week). A full-time employee must receive at least four hours' pay per shift. Junior rates apply for drivers under 20, but any junior aged 18 or over who drives a passenger vehicle alone must be paid the adult rate for that driving work.

Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee on top of these rates. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings.

Brisbane City Council Bus Driver Pay

Many bus drivers in Brisbane work for Brisbane City Council, which has its own enterprise agreement or specific award. The ABC reported in March 2025 that after eight months of negotiations, the council and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union agreed to a 7.35% wage increase over two years. Under the new deal:

The most experienced driver earns $37.79 per hour.
Base annual salaries range from $69,174 for entry-level drivers to $74,673 for the most experienced.
Drivers also receive allowances for tasks such as cleaning toilets ($1.83 per day) or dealing with unclean conditions ($3.12 per day).

The council had previously claimed drivers could earn up to $150,436 per year, but this requires extreme overtime. The base rate of $69,560 before the increase (now $69,174 to $74,673) is the ordinary-time salary.

This negotiated rate is significantly higher than the federal award minimum. The award sets a floor; an enterprise agreement or council award can—and in this case does—require a higher rate.

How the National Minimum Wage Applies

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adults. This rate applies only to employees who are not covered by any modern award or enterprise agreement. Most bus drivers in Brisbane are covered by an award or agreement, so the national minimum is not their pay floor. However, if a driver were award-free, the national minimum would apply, with junior percentages for those under 21.

For award-covered employees, the lowest classification rate cannot fall below the national minimum. The Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award's Grade 1 rate of $27.34 is already above the national minimum.

Superannuation on Top

All bus driver salaries discussed here are before superannuation. The super guarantee is an employer contribution on top of ordinary time earnings. For a driver earning $37.79 per hour, the employer must contribute an additional 12% (from 1 July 2026) to a super fund. This is not deducted from the driver's pay.

Which Minimum Wage Applies?

If you are a bus driver or employer in Brisbane, check whether you are covered by the federal Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award or a specific state or local government award. The Which minimum wage applies guide can help you identify the correct instrument. For detailed rates, see the Rate tables.

Summary

Federal award minimum: $27.34 to $33.70 per hour (1 July 2026).
Brisbane City Council agreement: up to $37.79 per hour for experienced drivers.
National minimum (award-free): $26.44 per hour.
Super guarantee: 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.

The actual bus driver salary in Brisbane depends on the employer and any applicable enterprise agreement. The award sets the legal floor, but many drivers earn well above it.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.