Garbage Man Salary in Australia: Where It Sits on the Salary Index

What is a garbage man salary?

“Garbage man salary” is a common way of asking what waste collection workers earn. In official Australian statistics, these workers are classified as Recycling and Rubbish Collectors (ANZSCO 8996). They collect household, commercial and industrial waste for recycling or disposal. The role is physically demanding and often involves early starts, overtime, and working in all weather.

Most garbage collectors are covered by the Waste Management Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates and conditions. The award applies to employers throughout Australia in the waste management industry, including collection, transport, recycling, and disposal.

Where does the salary sit on the index?

The Salary Index measures how a pay figure compares to the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. As of May 2026, that line is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352.

For garbage collectors, the median full-time weekly earnings are $1,462, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) cited by Jobs and Skills Australia. That gives an index of about 70 – well below the national average. However, this median includes overtime and penalty payments, which are common in the industry. The ordinary-time rate (excluding overtime) is likely lower.

Award minimums sit even further below the line. The Waste Management Award 2020, as updated from 1 July 2026, sets minimum weekly rates plus an industry allowance of $122.98 per week. The total minimum for a Level 1 employee is $1,143.98 per week (index 55), while a Level 9 employee gets $1,393.88 per week (index 67). These are the legal floors; many workers earn above them through overtime, allowances, or enterprise agreements.

Award rates and classifications

The Waste Management Award 2020 has nine classification levels. The table below shows the minimum weekly rate (including the industry allowance) for a full-time adult employee as of 1 July 2026, based on Fair Work Ombudsman data:

Level	Minimum weekly rate (incl. industry allowance)	Hourly equivalent (approx.)
1	$1,143.98	$30.11
2	$1,168.48	$30.75
3	$1,180.58	$31.07
4	$1,199.18	$31.56
5	$1,212.58	$31.91
6	$1,240.98	$32.66
7	$1,321.78	$34.78
8	$1,381.68	$36.36
9	$1,393.88	$36.68

These rates include the industry allowance of $122.98 per week, which is 11% of the Level 6 standard rate ($1,118). The allowance is paid for all purposes, including overtime and shift penalties. Leading hands in charge of other workers receive an additional $30.19 to $61.49 per week, depending on team size.

How overtime and penalties affect take-home pay

Garbage collectors often work more than 38 ordinary hours. The average full-time worker in this occupation puts in 43 hours per week, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. That extra time is paid at overtime rates – typically time and a half for the first two hours and double time thereafter, as per the award. Weekend and public holiday work attract higher penalties.

For example, a Level 1 employee earning the minimum ordinary rate of $30.11 per hour who works 5 hours of overtime at time and a half would earn an extra $225.83 for that week. Over a year, regular overtime can push total earnings well above the award minimum, which explains why the median weekly earnings ($1,462) are significantly higher than the Level 9 award rate ($1,394).

Superannuation and tax considerations

Employers must pay superannuation contributions of at least 12% of ordinary-time earnings (from 1 July 2026) into a complying fund. The super guarantee is calculated on ordinary-time earnings, not including overtime. For a worker earning the median $1,462 per week, the annual super contribution would be about $7,603 (12% of $63,360 ordinary-time earnings, assuming overtime is excluded).

On the tax side, a garbage collector earning the median weekly amount of $1,462 would have an annual salary of about $76,024. Using the 2026–27 tax rates (excluding Medicare levy), the estimated tax would be around $13,327, plus Medicare levy of 2% ($1,520), leaving a take-home pay of roughly $61,176 per year, or $1,176 per week. This is a rough estimate – actual tax depends on individual circumstances such as HELP debts or salary sacrifice.

How it compares across states and industries

The salary index varies by state and industry. For example, the national index for Mining is 155, while Retail trade is 76. Garbage collectors fall under the Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services industry, which is not separately indexed here but likely sits between the national average and mining. State indices also differ: Western Australia has an index of 107, while Tasmania is 89. A garbage collector in WA might earn slightly more than one in Tasmania due to market conditions, but the award rates are national.

For more context on how your pay compares, see the pay guides or explore industries and states on the Salary Index.

The bottom line

A garbage man salary in Australia typically falls between the award minimum (index 55–67) and the median of $1,462 per week (index 70). While this is below the national line of 100, it is above the national minimum wage (index 48). Overtime and penalties can boost earnings significantly, and the job offers stable employment with superannuation and award protections. To see where your own pay sits, use the how the index works page.