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Great detail and experience very clear with instructions and rules to followBrad2 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 Man2 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 Khindri29 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 teacherMartin Zigashane27 October 2026
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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 Lawler27 October 2026
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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 Murray26 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 Rogers20 October 2026
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had a great time with this mob highly recommend great experience with great peopleMitchell Kemp20 October 2026
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Thanks David and Vanessa for teaching everything to make a HR licence they are so helpfulnavdeep sidhu19 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 Singh15 October 2026
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.
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.
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.


Getting into garbage truck driving follows a clear path. Here is what it looks like from a standard car licence to your first shift.
Hold your car licence for 12 to 24 months
Complete training with an RTO
Pass the theory and driving test
Apply for waste and recycling roles
Licence training costs depend on which class you choose and how many hours you need. Here is what TDT Training charges for each option.
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.
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.
$55,685 to $83,736 a year (SalaryExpert, 2026)
$77,642 a year on average, the national figure (SalaryExpert, July 2026)
$55,187 to $88,106 a year (SalaryExpert, 2025)
$77,642 a year on average, the national figure (SalaryExpert, July 2026)
$52,583 to $79,072 a year (SalaryExpert, July 2026)
$77,642 a year on average, the national figure (SalaryExpert, July 2026)
$70,632 a year on average (ERI, 2026)
No dedicated data published. The national range of $57,675 to $86,730 a year applies (SalaryExpert, July 2026)
The job is more than just driving. Most shifts start early and follow a set collection route through suburban streets or industrial areas.


Pay climbs steadily as you build experience and licence endorsements. Here is the breakdown based on SalaryExpert data from July 2026.
Different salary sites use different methods, so figures vary. Here is how the main ones compare.
| Source | Average Pay | Date |
|---|---|---|
| SalaryExpert | $77,642/yr ($37.33/hr) | July 2026 |
| Jooble | $66,436/yr ($34.97/hr) | May 2026 |
| PayScale | $29.70/hr | 2026 |
| Indeed (job listings) | $38.89/hr (waste truck driver role, QLD) | 2026 |