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

The legal minimum for a bus driver in Melbourne depends on the applicable award. Most bus drivers are covered by the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020. From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a Grade 1 driver is $27.34 per hour, or $1,038.80 per week for a full-time employee. This is higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.

How does the bus driver award rate compare to the national minimum wage?

The Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award sets minimum rates above the national minimum wage. For example, Grade 1 is $27.34 per hour, while the national minimum is $26.44 per hour. Higher grades (e.g., Grade 6 at $33.70 per hour) apply for more experienced or specialised drivers. The award also includes penalty rates for overtime, weekend, and public holiday work, which can significantly increase take-home pay.

Are there penalty rates for bus drivers in Melbourne?

Yes. Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, bus drivers are entitled to penalty rates for work outside ordinary hours. For example, Saturday work attracts a 50% loading (time-and-a-half), Sunday work 100% loading (double time), and public holidays 150% loading. Overtime after 10 hours per day or 38 hours per week also attracts higher rates. These penalties apply on top of the base hourly rate.

Bus Driver Salary Melbourne: Award Rates, Minimum Pay, and What Drivers Actually Earn

The minimum hourly rate for a Grade 1 bus driver in Melbourne under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award is $27.34, effective 1 July 2026.

Bus Driver Salary Melbourne: What the Award Says

When researching a bus driver salary in Melbourne, the first thing to understand is that most drivers are covered by the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020 (MA000063), which sets minimum pay rates higher than the national minimum wage. This award applies to employers in the passenger vehicle transportation industry, including bus services, and covers full-time, part-time, and casual employees.

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a Grade 1 bus driver is $27.34 per hour, or $1,038.80 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. Grade 2 drivers (often those with some experience or additional duties) earn $27.97 per hour. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.

Legal Minimum vs. Award Rate vs. Survey Average vs. Negotiated Salary

It is important to separate the different ways a bus driver salary in Melbourne can be described:

Legal minimum: The absolute floor is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) for award-free employees. However, because most bus drivers are covered by the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, the award rate becomes the legal minimum for them. The award rate is higher, so the national minimum does not apply directly.
Award rate: As above, the award sets specific rates for each classification. Grade 1 is the entry-level rate. Drivers may progress to higher grades with experience or additional qualifications.
Survey average: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a specific average salary for bus drivers in Melbourne. However, the ABS reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all occupations were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. This is a broad average and includes many higher-paid roles. Actual bus driver earnings may be lower or higher depending on experience, overtime, and penalties.
Negotiated salary: Some bus operators have enterprise agreements that set pay rates above the award. These agreements are negotiated between employers and employees (often with union involvement) and must pass the Better Off Overall Test. A driver covered by an enterprise agreement may earn more than the award rate, but cannot earn less.

How Casual Loading and Penalty Rates Affect Pay

Casual bus drivers receive a 25% loading on top of the award hourly rate, bringing the Grade 1 casual rate to $34.18 per hour. Penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work also apply. For example, Saturday work attracts time-and-a-half, Sunday double time, and public holidays 2.5 times the base rate. These loadings and penalties are separate from superannuation.

For more detail on how rates are calculated, see our Rate tables page. If you are unsure which award applies to your job, our Guides can help you identify the correct classification.

What About Junior Drivers?

Junior employees (under 21) who are not required to drive alone may be paid a percentage of the adult rate. However, if a junior driver aged 18 or over is in sole charge of a vehicle, they must be paid the full adult rate for the work they perform. This is a specific rule in the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award.

The Role of Enterprise Agreements

Many bus companies in Melbourne operate under enterprise agreements that set higher pay rates than the award. These agreements can include additional allowances, better penalty rates, or more favourable rosters. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, your minimum pay is the rate in that agreement, not the award. Always check your employment contract or ask your employer which instrument applies.

Summary

For a bus driver in Melbourne, the legal minimum pay is the award rate of $27.34 per hour (Grade 1) as of 1 July 2026. Actual earnings can be higher due to penalties, overtime, or enterprise agreements. The ABS average for all full-time workers provides context but is not specific to bus drivers. Superannuation is paid on top of all ordinary time earnings at 12%.