What is a typical truck driver salary in Perth?

Reading a job ad for a truck driver in Perth

When you see a job ad for a truck driver in Perth, the salary figure might be listed as an annual salary, an hourly rate, or a weekly wage. To make sense of it, you need to know where it sits against the national line. The Salary Index helps by converting any gross yearly pay into a number where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

For example, if an ad offers $75,000 a year, that’s an index of about 69. If it offers $95,000, that’s index 88. The higher the index, the more the pay compares to the average Australian worker.

The award floor for truck drivers

The minimum pay for a truck driver in Perth is set by the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, which covers employers throughout Australia in the road transport and distribution industry. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates for transport workers (other than oil distribution) are:

• Transport Worker Grade 1: $1,021.00 per week ($26.87 per hour)
• Transport Worker Grade 2: $1,045.50 ($27.51)
• Transport Worker Grade 3: $1,057.60 ($27.83)
• Transport Worker Grade 4: $1,076.20 ($28.32)
• Transport Worker Grade 5: $1,089.60 ($28.67)
• Transport Worker Grade 6: $1,102.00 ($29.00)
• Transport Worker Grade 7: $1,118.00 ($29.42)
• Transport Worker Grade 8: $1,150.50 ($30.28)
• Transport Worker Grade 9: $1,169.70 ($30.78)
• Transport Worker Grade 10: $1,198.80 ($31.55)

These rates are the legal minimum. Annualised, Grade 1 works out to $53,092 (index 49.0) and Grade 10 to $62,338 (index 57.5). That’s well below the national average, but remember: these are floors, not typical pay.

What a typical truck driver salary in Perth might be

Perth is in Western Australia, where the state index is 106.9 – meaning full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are about $115,825 a year. That’s 6.9% above the national line. While this average covers all occupations, it suggests that wages in WA tend to be higher, partly due to the mining and resources sector.

For truck drivers specifically, actual salaries often exceed award rates, especially for experienced drivers, those with dangerous goods endorsements, or those working in remote areas. A job ad for a truck driver in Perth might offer $80,000 to $100,000 per year (index 74 to 92). Some specialised roles, like road train drivers or those in the mining industry, can pay $120,000 or more (index 111+).

To compare offers, use the Salary Index. If an ad says $85,000, that’s index 78.5. If another says $95,000, that’s index 87.7. The index lets you see at a glance how each offer stacks up against the national line.

Penalty rates and overtime

Truck drivers often work weekends and public holidays. The pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman shows penalty rates: 150% for Saturday ordinary hours, 200% for Sunday, and 250% for public holidays. For a Grade 1 driver, that means $40.31 per hour on Saturday, $53.74 on Sunday, and $67.18 on a public holiday. These rates can lift weekly earnings significantly.

If a job ad mentions “above award” or “all-hours rates”, it’s worth asking for the specific penalty structure.

Superannuation and tax

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of gross pay, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $90,000 salary, your employer adds $10,800 into super. That’s on top of the advertised salary.

For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare) are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15%
• $45,001 – $135,000: 30%
• $135,001 – $190,000: 37%
• Over $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A truck driver earning $90,000 would pay about $19,717 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $70,283 take-home (ignoring HELP or other deductions).

How to use the index when comparing offers

When you see a truck driver salary in Perth in a job ad, convert the annual gross to an index by dividing by $108,352 and multiplying by 100. Then compare:

• National average: index 100
• WA average: index 106.9
• Award minimum (Grade 1): index 49
• Typical advertised range: index 74–92
• High-end specialised roles: index 111+

This helps you see if an offer is below average, around average, or above average for the state. You can also compare across industries using the industries page. For example, mining has an index of 154.7, so a truck driver in mining might earn much more than one in general freight.

Final tips for Perth truck drivers

• Always check the award classification. The job might be Grade 3 or Grade 7, which changes the minimum.
• Ask about penalty rates and overtime. A job with regular Sunday work could pay 30–50% more than base.
• Consider the cost of living. Perth’s housing is expensive, but wages are higher too. The states page shows how WA compares.
• Use the how the index works page to understand the calculations.

Remember: the award minimum is just the starting point. Many Perth employers pay above it to attract drivers. Use the index to make sure you’re getting a fair deal.