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Great detail and experience very clear with instructions and rules to follow
Brad
2 November 2026
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Tdt training is amazing. Friendly staff, Ronnie is an amazing driving in instructor thank you team TDT for making it soo easy.
River Man
2 November 2026
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I honestly cannot thank David Allan enough for everything he did for me during my HR licence training. When I first arrived, I was extremely nervous, stressed, and had almost no knowledge or confidence in driving an HR truck. But David completely changed that in just a few hours. The way he teaches is truly exceptional. He is incredibly patient, calm, knowledgeable, and professional. Instead of making me feel nervous about my mistakes, he made me feel comfortable, encouraged me, and explained everything so clearly that even someone starting from zero could understand. What impressed me the most was not just his teaching skills, but the way he treated me with kindness, respect, and genuine care. He believed in me when I was doubting myself, and that meant a lot. David is not just an excellent instructor, but also a wonderful human being. Teachers like him are rare, and I feel genuinely lucky and grateful to have learned from him. I would 100% recommend David Allan to anyone looking to get their HR licence, especially beginners who are nervous or have no previous experience. You will be in the best hands. Thank you so much, David, for your patience, encouragement, and support. I will always remember your guidance and kindness. You have my utmost respect and appreciation! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Charik Khindri
29 October 2026
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David Allan is a great teacher mentor who care about students and wellbeing of others people on the road if you are booking for your test make sure they booked you through him very professional teacher
Martin Zigashane
27 October 2026
Brendan Lawler profile picture
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I had a great experience learning with David Allan for my HR driving licence. David was an excellent instructor who explained everything clearly and made me feel confident and comfortable on the road. He was patient, professional, and supportive throughout the training, making the whole experience smooth and stress-free. I really appreciate his guidance and would highly recommend David to anyone looking to get their HR licence. Thanks, David, for the great training and support! 🚛👏
Brendan Lawler
27 October 2026
Jye Murray profile picture
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A big thank you to Tran at TDT Training for helping me with my HR truck licence. Getting behind the wheel of a heavy rigid truck can be pretty daunting, but Tran’s calm approach, clear explanations and practical advice made a real difference to my confidence. He was patient, approachable and happy to go over things until they clicked, with a strong focus on safe driving and good habits. I really appreciated having someone who could put me at ease while still keeping me focused on what I needed to learn. Highly recommend Tran and TDT Training to anyone looking to get their truck licence. Thanks again, Tran!
Jye Murray
26 October 2026
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TDT TRAINING MAKES THE PROCESS COMFORTABLE AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND. YOU WONT FIND A BETTER TRAINER THAN DAVID ALLAN! IF YOU THOUGHT YOU DID, YOU’RE WRONG. GO SEE DAVID ALLAN AND THE GREAT TEAM AT TDT.
Nathan Rogers
20 October 2026
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had a great time with this mob highly recommend great experience with great people
Mitchell Kemp
20 October 2026
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Thanks David and Vanessa for teaching everything to make a HR licence they are so helpful
navdeep sidhu
19 October 2026
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommend David at TDT Sunshine! I booked my HR licence test through TDT Sunshine, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Before this, I had never driven a truck, so I was quite nervous about the test. However, David guided me through everything in a very professional, patient, and easy-to-understand way. His teaching and guidance gave me the confidence and skills I needed to pass my HR test on the very first attempt. He explained everything clearly, helped me understand the truck properly, and made sure I felt prepared before the test. David is an excellent instructor who genuinely cares about his students’ success. I’m really thankful for his support and the way he taught me throughout the process. If you’re planning to get your HR licence at TDT Sunshine, I highly recommend booking with David. In my opinion, he is one of the best instructors there. If you want professional guidance and the confidence to pass your test, David is the person to go to! Thank you, David, for your excellent teaching and support!
Saffal Singh
15 October 2026

Garbage Truck Driver Salaries TDT Guide

Published: August 04, 2026

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Garbage truck driving is one of the steadiest jobs in transport and waste management. You get set routes, regular hours, and a wage that holds up well against other entry-level heavy vehicle jobs.

So how much do garbage truck drivers make in Australia, and what licence do you need to get started? This guide breaks down the pay, the licence classes, and the training pathway.

Garbage Truck Driver Salary in Australia: Quick Answer

  1. Average salary - $77,642 a year, based on SalaryExpert data from July 2026.
  2. Typical range - $57,675 to $86,730 a year depending on experience.
  3. Average hourly rate - around $29.70 to $37.33 an hour, depending on the source and location.
  4. Licence needed - a Heavy Rigid (HR licence) for most garbage trucks, or a Medium Rigid (MR licence) for smaller two-axle collection trucks.

What Licence Do You Need to Drive a Garbage Truck?

Most garbage trucks are Heavy Rigid vehicles. They have three or more axles and a Gross Vehicle Mass over 8 tonnes, which puts them in the same licence class as concrete agitators and tippers.

Some smaller two-axle collection trucks only need a Medium Rigid licence. If you are not sure which class your target employer runs, ask before you book any training.

HR vs MR: What Is the Difference?

A Medium Rigid (MR) licence covers two-axle rigid trucks over 8 tonnes GVM. A Heavy Rigid (HR) licence covers rigid trucks with three or more axles and also lets you tow a trailer of up to 9 tonnes GVM.

Which One Should You Get?
Most waste and recycling operators prefer drivers with an HR licence, since it opens up more truck types and more shifts. If you are choosing between the two and can afford the extra training, HR is the safer long-term option.
garbage truck

How to Become a Garbage Truck Driver

Getting into garbage truck driving follows a clear path. Here is what it looks like from a standard car licence to your first shift.

Car
Licence

Hold your car licence for 12 to 24 months

→

Complete training with an RTO

→
Pass
Test

Pass the theory and driving test

→
Get
Hired

Apply for waste and recycling roles

How Much Does Garbage Truck Driver Licence Training Cost?

Licence training costs depend on which class you choose and how many hours you need. Here is what TDT Training charges for each option.

MR
$1,350
MR Licence, 8 hours, extreme novice
HR
$1,950
HR Licence, novice, 12 hours
HR
$2,650
HR Licence, non-synchro, 16 hours

Prices reflect published TDT Training pricing and do not include the VicRoads endorsement fee. Contact TDT Training directly to confirm current pricing before you book.

Garbage Truck Driver Salary by State

Capital city pay is shown as a from-and-to range across experience levels. Country pay is shown as a single average, since none of the major salary sites publish a separate regional breakdown.

Melbourne

$55,685 to $83,736 a year (SalaryExpert, 2026)

Country Victoria

$77,642 a year on average, the national figure (SalaryExpert, July 2026)

Sydney

$55,187 to $88,106 a year (SalaryExpert, 2025)

Country NSW

$77,642 a year on average, the national figure (SalaryExpert, July 2026)

Brisbane

$52,583 to $79,072 a year (SalaryExpert, July 2026)

Country QLD

$77,642 a year on average, the national figure (SalaryExpert, July 2026)

ACT

$70,632 a year on average (ERI, 2026)

WA, SA, TAS and NT

No dedicated data published. The national range of $57,675 to $86,730 a year applies (SalaryExpert, July 2026)

What Does a Garbage Truck Driver Do?

The job is more than just driving. Most shifts start early and follow a set collection route through suburban streets or industrial areas.

  • Drive a set collection route each shift
  • Operate the hydraulic lifting and compaction system
  • Complete a pre-trip vehicle inspection
  • Follow safe load limits and load restraint rules
  • Work alongside a loader or offsider on some routes
  • Transport collected waste to a transfer station or landfill
  • Follow WorkSafe Victoria site safety procedures
  • Keep accurate vehicle and route logbooks
garbage truck workers

Garbage Truck Driver Pay by Experience Level

Pay climbs steadily as you build experience and licence endorsements. Here is the breakdown based on SalaryExpert data from July 2026.

Entry Level1-3 years
$57,675/yr
AverageAll experience
$77,642/yr
Senior8+ years
$86,730/yr

What Do Different Salary Sources Say?

Different salary sites use different methods, so figures vary. Here is how the main ones compare.

SourceAverage PayDate
SalaryExpert$77,642/yr ($37.33/hr)July 2026
Jooble$66,436/yr ($34.97/hr)May 2026
PayScale$29.70/hr2026
Indeed (job listings)$38.89/hr (waste truck driver role, QLD)2026
Tip
Pay varies a lot by operator, route, and whether you drive a rear loader, front loader, or side loader truck. Always check the exact rate in the job listing rather than relying on averages alone.

Garbage Truck Driver Salary FAQs

Garbage truck drivers in Australia earn between $57,675 and $86,730 a year, based on SalaryExpert data from July 2026. The typical hourly rate sits around $29.70 to $37.33 depending on experience and location.
Most garbage trucks need a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence because they have three or more axles and a GVM over 8 tonnes. Smaller two-axle collection trucks may only need a Medium Rigid (MR) licence.
Garbage truck driving pays a solid wage compared to many entry-level driving jobs, with PayScale putting the 2026 average at $29.70 an hour. Experienced drivers and those with an HR licence tend to earn more.
Melbourne garbage truck drivers earn an average of $77,924 a year, according to ERI salary data from 2026. Pay in regional Victoria can be slightly lower depending on the operator and route.
Most garbage truck drivers work early morning shifts, often starting before 5am to beat traffic and finish routes on time. Full-time roles typically run 38 to 45 hours a week, with overtime available during busy periods.
You need a Heavy Rigid or Medium Rigid licence, a clean driving record, and often a White Card for construction and waste sites. Most waste companies also provide on the job training once you are hired.

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Chris Davis

Head of Sales & Business Development

Chris writes about trucking, logistics, and transport industry trends.