Truck Driver Salary Perth: Award Rates and Minimum Pay Under the Road Transport Award

Truck Driver Salary Perth: Understanding Your Legal Minimum

If you are looking for a truck driver salary in Perth, the first step is to identify the correct legal pay floor. Most truck drivers in Perth are covered by the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038), which sets minimum rates for transport workers across Australia, including Western Australia. This guide explains the award rates, how they compare to the national minimum wage, and what you need to know about superannuation, casual loading, and classification.

Award Coverage and Classification

The Road Transport and Distribution Award applies to employers and employees in the road transport and distribution industry. For truck drivers, the key classifications are Transport Worker Grades 1 to 10, each with a minimum hourly rate. The rates from 1 July 2026 are:

• Grade 1: $26.87 per hour ($1,021.00 per week)
• Grade 2: $27.51
• Grade 3: $27.83
• Grade 4: $28.32
• Grade 5: $28.67
• Grade 6: $29.00
• Grade 7: $29.42
• Grade 8: $30.28
• Grade 9: $30.78
• Grade 10: $31.55

These rates are for full-time and part-time employees working ordinary hours (an average of 38 per week). Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for this award that includes penalty rates for Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

How the Award Rate Compares to the National Minimum

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week). The award’s lowest adult rate (Grade 1) is slightly higher at $26.87. For award-covered employees, the award rate is the legal minimum – it cannot be lower than the national minimum. If you are award-free (rare for truck drivers), the national minimum applies. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.

Superannuation and Other Entitlements

All minimum rates quoted are before superannuation. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid by the employer on top of the hourly or weekly rate. For example, a Grade 1 driver earning $26.87 per hour would have an additional $3.22 per hour contributed to super. This is not deducted from the wage.

Junior, Apprentice, and Supported Wage Rates

Not every truck driver receives the adult rate. Junior employees (under 21) are paid a percentage of the adult rate: 70% at under 19, 80% at 19, and 100% at 20. However, if a junior aged 18 or over is required to drive a motor vehicle and is in sole charge, they must be paid the adult rate for that driving work. Apprentices and trainees have separate rates under the Miscellaneous Award. Supported wage rates apply for employees with disability. The award also includes an introductory rate (first 6 months) of $25.74 per hour for new entrants in some classifications.

Negotiated Salaries and Enterprise Agreements

The award is a safety net. Many truck drivers in Perth earn above the award rate due to enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or market demand. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data, but there is no specific median for “truck driver salary Perth” in the search results used for this guide. To get a precise figure for your situation, check your classification with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or consult your employer’s enterprise agreement. Remember: an enterprise agreement cannot provide less than the award.

Casual Loading and Penalty Rates

Casual employees under the award receive a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. For Grade 1, that means $33.59 per hour (before penalties). Penalty rates apply for work on Saturdays (50% loading), Sundays (100% loading), and public holidays (150% loading). These are in addition to the casual loading, but not both – the award specifies which loading applies.

How to Use This Information

This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination or legal advice. If you are a truck driver in Perth, start by identifying your award classification. Then compare your pay to the minimum rates above. If you are paid less, you may be entitled to back pay. For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies page or Rate tables for other industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage for a truck driver in Perth? The minimum wage depends on the classification under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020. For a Transport Worker Grade 1 (entry-level truck driving), the minimum hourly rate is $26.87 as of 1 July 2026. Higher grades (e.g., Grade 4 for heavy combination vehicles) pay up to $31.55 per hour. These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees; casuals receive a 25% loading. All rates are before superannuation, which is an additional 12% paid by the employer.

How does the award rate compare to the national minimum wage? The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week). The Road Transport Award’s lowest adult rate (Grade 1) is $26.87, which is 43 cents above the national minimum. Higher grades are further above. If an employee is not covered by the award (e.g., award-free), the national minimum applies. The award always sets the minimum for employees it covers, and it cannot fall below the national minimum.

Are there higher rates for experienced or specialised truck drivers in Perth? Yes. The award has 10 transport worker grades. For example, a driver of a multi-axle trailer (Grade 10) earns $31.55 per hour. Drivers of low loaders over 43 tonnes GCM receive additional tonne-based allowances. Enterprise agreements or individual contracts can also set higher rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can help determine the correct classification for your specific driving role.

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