Truck Driving Jobs Australia: Pay, Visa, Scope & More 2025

Australia has a severe shortage of truck drivers, with over 28,000 vacancies, which will increase to 78,000 vacancies by 2029, which is a great prospect for qualified truck drivers. Due to the increasing freight demand and the ageing workforce, the truck driving profession is among the most sought-after in Australia, and the special visa programmes allow one to acquire permanent residency. Let’s know more about truck driving jobs in Australia!

Australia Truck Driving Jobs for Indians in 2025

The truck driving jobs in Australia provide a highly fruitful career to both local and foreign drivers:

• High Demand: The 9th most common occupation was truck driving, with over 75,000 vacancies.

• Competitive Remuneration: On average, the average is 36.47 per hour (75000 a year for programmes), and the experienced drivers get above 100000 a year.

• Migration Pathways: DAMA visa holders are in programmes where they are trained and offered competitive wages in the outback transport activities. There is also a stable demand for drivers to service supply chains in both metropolitan and regional areas in the retail and distribution industries.

• Transport: The mining firms have permanent, casual, and contract jobs that have different schedules. There are several benefits offered by many employers, such as overtime, well-remunerated jobs, mining allowances, safety gear, and insurance cover. The flexibility of work operations will enable the drivers to decide on the local, interstate, or specialised freight operations in Australia, based on their preference and qualification.

How To Get a Truck Driving Job in Australia in 2025? Step-by-Step Process

When the question is asked of how to get a truck driving job in Australia one should follow a step-by-step procedure of how to secure a truck driving jobs in Australia. Different states or territories may also have slight differences in particular requirements, which is why it is always important to consult the relevant websites of particular transport authorities for the latest and place-specific information. Let’s know more about how to get a truck driving job in Australia!

Step 1: Learn about the classes of the Australian Heavy Vehicle Licence

The initial and most important one is acquiring the appropriate licence. Australia possesses a graded system for heavy vehicle licences. The kind of licence that you require thus depends on the size and type of truck you wish to drive for your truck driving jobs in Australia:

• Light Rigid (LR): Applicants with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) that is up to 8 tonnes. You should have had a Class C (car) licence for one year.

• Medium Rigid (MR): Two-axle rigid vehicles that have a GVM exceeding 8 tonnes. You should have had a Class C (car) licence for one year.

• The Heavy Rigid (HR): Three or more axles on a rigid vehicle and a GVM greater than 8 tonnes. You should also possess a Class C (car) licence which has not been less than two years in duration. This is one of the usual requirements of most truck driving jobs in Australia.

• Heavy Combination (HC): Applied to truck driving jobs in Australia that have a trailer of GVM equal to or greater than 9 tonnes. You have to have had one year of an MR or HR licence.

• Multi-Combination (MC): At the top level, you drive B-doubles and road trains. You should possess a year HC licence.

Step 2: Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Prior to beginning the process of acquiring the heavy vehicle licence, you are required to satisfy some specifications for your truck driving jobs in Australia:

• Age: The age at which a heavy vehicle licence is issued is normally 18 (LR and MR) or 19 (HC, MC, and MC), but this varies by state.

• Existing Licence: You have to bear an Australian car driver licence of full category (Class C) for a certain amount of time, depending on the type of heavy vehicle licence that you are seeking.

• Medical Fitness: You have to take a medical check-up to confirm that you satisfy the national standards of the medical necessities of commercial drivers. This usually incorporates the screening of eyesight, hearing and health.

Step 3: Undergo Necessary Training and Examination.

After you have met the eligibility requirements, you will have to undergo the licensing process, which will generally entail for truck driving jobs in Australia:

• Pass a Knowledge Examination: Read the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook for your state and successfully pass a written examination of the rules and regulations which relate to the operation of heavy vehicles.

• Pass a Training Course: Complete a registered training MC), an organisation's (RTO) training course in heavy vehicle driving. These are courses that involve theory and practice. In some types of licence classes (such as an MC), a formal training course is compulsory.

• Pass an Exam: Pass a practical driving test or competency-based assessment (CBA). This is a test that determines your capability of operating a heavy vehicle safely through the inspection of the vehicle and assessments of manoeuvring the vehicle and manoeuvring on the road.

Step 4: Obtain Your Heavy Vehicle Licence

Once you have finished all the required tests and assessments, you are able to apply to have your licence upgraded with the corresponding state or territory transport authority (e.g., Service NSW, VicRoads, Department of Transport WA). You will pay the licence fee and get a new licence card with an endorsement – paid for the heavy vehicle.

Step 5: Acquire New Skills and Certifications.

Suppose you want to expand your employment opportunities so that you can have a chance to work in a better-paid job and obtain more qualifications for truck driving jobs in Australia. These may include:

• Forklift Licence: This is a skill most transport and logistics firms ask their drivers to possess to help them load and offload products using a forklift.

• Dangerous Goods (DG) Licence: You will need this licence in case you intend to carry dangerous goods.

• Fatigue Management Training: Employers are very much interested in fatigue management training because of the extended working hours.

• Construction Induction Card (White Card): This card is frequently a mandatory requirement in case you are going to work in the field that includes construction sites (e.g., driving a tipper truck).

Step 6: Find and Apply for a Job

After receiving your licence and other certifications, you can begin with the search for truck driving jobs in Australia.

• Online Job Boards: Use the large Australian job search sites such as Seek, Indeed and Jora. The filter options are based on location, licence type (specialised, e.g., HR, HC, MC), and truck driving jobs in Australia.

• Recruitment Agencies: There are a lot of recruitment agencies that are industry-specialised in the transport and logistics web industry, and they can assist in finding the right truck driving jobs in Australia.

• Direct Applications: Use Licence: web search engines to find research trucking companies in your location of choice and apply on their websites.

• Networking: Meet other drivers or individuals in the industry.

For Foreign Applicants

In case you are a foreigner, there are also a few more details:

• Visa: You must have an authentic visa to work in Australia. Certain truck driving positions, especially those in the highly qualified regions such as mining and long-haul transportation, can be sponsored by visas.

• Overseas Recognition of Basis, Licence: Overseas licence recognition. Your overseas licence can be acknowledged in Australia on a limited basis, but if originating from overseas, you will probably need to change it to an Australian licence. Depending on the country you are driving from, the process and the requirements may be different.

• Experience: It is common among employers to hire candidates who have driving experience in the past, and thus, be sure to put this on your resume.

Also Read: Truck Driver Salary in Canada 2025: Pay, Scope & More

How Do You License Truck Driving in Australia? Experts Guide 2025

As for truck driving jobs in Australia, they involve the use of certain class types, shaping the types of vehicles you can legally operate. This development begins with a Class C car monthly licence with a minimum of 12 licences. Months' time before advancing to truck licences.

There are five major types of truck licences:

• Light Rigid (LR): Vehicles that are small trucks and buses.

• Medium Rigid (MR): Trucks that are not heavier than 8 tonnes.

• Heavy Rigid (HR): Trucks with more than 8 licence tonnes.

• Heavy Combination (HC): Semi-trailer and prime mover.

• Multi-Combination (MC): B-doubles and road trains.

The majority of employers demand organisational licences of HR, HC, or MC based on their fleet and operations. The standard qualification process is known as the Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) and is administered by registered training truck organisations based on accreditation by the Roads and Maritime Services.

In order to adequately design the information about the training, health and character requirements of training, and truck driving employment in Australia, the following is a description of the main aspects. Let’s know more about truck driving jobs in Australia!

1. Training and Licensing Requirements

The essential prerequisite to being a truck driver in Australia is to get a heavy vehicle licence. It has a combination of theoretical and practical licence and training, and depending on the type of licence, the requirements differ.

• Classes of licences: Australia has a hierarchical level of heavy vehicle licences (e.g., Light Rigid, Medium Rigid, Heavy Rigid, Heavy Combination, and Multi-Combination). There are certain requirements in terms of having the time required to set up. Having a car licence is a requirement before you can be eligible to apply to a specific class.

• Formal Training: You need to take an approved course of training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). These courses offer a holistic curriculum, which entails:

• Vehicle Maintenance and Pre-Checks: Training on how to conduct the required maintenance and mechanical checks prior to taking a trip.

• Safe Driving Practices: Awareness of defensive driving methods, dealing with various road situations, and going through a particular road shift setup.

• Load Restraint and Security: Knowledge of how to secure loads correctly so they do not shift (NHVR), which is a matter of critical safety and compliance.

• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of the laws of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), such as regulations of work time, diaries and driving success in time, as well as fatigue management.

• Assessments: You have to succeed in a set of assessments to be issued a licence:

• At this stage, the applicant is required to take an exam on heavy vehicle road rules and regulations.

• Practical Driving Test: This is a practical assessment of your skills as a safe driver of the vehicle, which involves a vehicle check-up, practical driving, and such manoeuvres as reversing.

• Extra Qualifications: To have higher chances of getting a job, there is a high possibility of acquiring other related certifications. These may include:

• Forklift Licence: This is necessary in truck driving jobs in Australia that involve loading and unloading of cargo.

• Dangerous Goods (DG) Licence: This is required to transport dangerous materials.

• Fatigue Management Training: This is a major certification for long-haul and interstate drivers to demonstrate their knowledge of work and rest needs.

2. Health and Fitness Requirements

Health and fitness requirements of truck drivers are higher than those of car drivers because of the nature of the work and the high level of danger of truck driving jobs in Australia.

• Medical Testing: A medical test is required for all heavy vehicle drivers to ascertain their fitness to drive according to the National Assessing Fitness to Drive. This check includes:

• Vision and Hearing: Exams to make sure that you possess the required sensory functions capable of handling a heavy car.

• Physical and Mental Health: An assessment of general health, including diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders or sleep apnoea, that might affect driving performance.

• Drug and Alcohol Screening: Drug and alcohol testing are frequently performed as pre-employment medicals, and in most workplaces, random drug testing is a term and condition of employment.

• Frequent Check-Ups: You might be asked to make regular medical check-ups, especially when you have an illness or when you have attained a particular age.

3. Character and Background Requirements

Employers and licensing boards need a clear record to trust and be sure that a driver is reliable.

• Driving History: CHistory: AleanHistory: A clean driving record is a requirement. Any major traffic offence or fine and/or any suspension of your driving licence will be verified by the employers. A safe/orA safe driving history proves the adherence to professional behaviour.

• Criminal Background Check: Police behaviour. A police check is a normal procedure during the recruitment process. This is employed by employers to check the suitability of the candidate for a commercial driving position.

• Work Authorisation: In the case of a policy for non-citizens, you should possess an authentic visa, allowing you to work in Australia. Other employers might provide visa sponsorship to qualified drivers, citizens, and a few, especially in regions where there is a demand for drivers and skilled labour.

How Much Should Truck Driving Jobs in Australia Pay? Latest Guide 2025

The wages of truck driving positions in Australia are very different depending on experience, type of licence, geographical location and type of industry. With lower initial truck driving jobs in Australia salary, entry-level truck driving jobs in Australia, but experience truck driving jobs in Australia salary, with drivers, particularly those in niche markets, making more than the national average.

The following is an approximate list of truck driving jobs in Australia salary expectations when it comes to the truck driving jobs in Australia:

Also Read: Top Job Opportunities in Australia: New Pay, Scope & More

Navigating a Career in Australian Trucking

If you're considering a career as a truck driving jobs in Australia, the opportunities are vast and the demand is high. With a strong and growing freight industry, truck driving jobs in Australia offer stable employment and significant earning potential. This guide breaks down what you can expect to earn, the visa options available, and where to find the best truck driving jobs in Australia across the country.

How Much Do Truck Drivers Earn?

The earning potential for truck driving jobs in Australia varies significantly based on experience, location, and the type of work.

Entry-Level Earnings

New drivers with minimal experience can still expect a competitive income. Starting salaries for entry-level truck drivers in Australia typically average around 50,000 annually. Let’s know more about truck driving jobs in Australia:

• Hourly rates generally start at 30 to 35.

• New drivers can expect base rates of approximately $31.22 per hour, with additional overtime and performance bonuses often available.

• Casual positions frequently offer higher hourly rates, along with penalty rates for overtime work.

• In some cases, companies like Quarry Services Australia offer base rates of $35 per hour for HC truck drivers, highlighting the earning potential for even less experienced drivers.

• Positions in remote or regional areas may also include additional allowances and benefits to attract new workers.

Experienced Driver Earnings

Seasoned professionals can earn significantly more, with some skilled drivers earning well over 100,000 annually.

• The national average salary for an experienced truck driver is around $75,000 per year.

• Highly skilled drivers who maximise their logbook hours can earn between 130,000 and 160,000, depending on their work commitment.

• Location plays a key role, with Western Australia offering the highest average hourly rate at 40.57, compared to the national average of 36.47.

• Specialised roles, particularly in mining and other specialised transport operations, offer premium rates.

• Additional earning opportunities include overtime penalties, allowances for transporting dangerous goods, and bonuses for maintaining an exceptional safety record.

• Long-haul interstate work and the operation of specialised equipment command higher rates due to increased skill and responsibility.

What are the Visa Options for International Truck Drivers in Australia 2025?

As an international driver, there are several visa options to be employed in Australia, with one of the programmes being the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). Let’s know more about truck driving jobs in Australia!

The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)

The DAMA programme is a visa initiative specifically created to assist in solving the acute labour shortages in regional Australia, and it comes with concessions unavailable with regular visa programmes.

Labour programmes.

• Major benefits: DAMA will have fewer requirements related to English proficiency, minimised programme salary levels, and direct routes to permanent residence.

• Eligibility: To be eligible, you must have a valid truck driving job in Australia offered by an employer that is already part of the DAMA programme, have experience in a relevant field of driving and be willing to reside and work in a regional location. You also have to change your Heavy Vehicle Licence programme/heavy vehicle licence to an Australian one and have to go through health and character tests.

• Participating regions: There are several Australian participating regions in the DAMA programmes.

Other Visa Pathways

Beyond DAMA, there are alternative visa options for qualified international drivers for truck driving jobs in Australia:

• Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482): This visa provides up to four years of work authorisation and can lead to permanent residency through employer sponsorship.

• Regional Provisional visas (subclass 494): This visa offers five years of work and residency rights in a regional area, with eligibility for permanent residency after three years.

• Working Holiday Visas: This option is available to eligible nationalities and can be a good way to gain initial work experience in Australia.

• State Nomination Programs: Some states may include truck driving occupations on their skilled migration lists, providing additional pathways for qualified candidates.

How to Find Truck Driving Jobs in Australia from India in 2025?

With over 28,000 unfilled positions, the truck driving jobs in the Australia market for truck drivers are robust. Knowing where to look can help you land the right role.

Best Job Search Platforms

A variety of online platforms specialise in listing truck driving positions, making it easy to find current opportunities.

• Indeed Australia: The largest platform for truck driving positions, with hundreds of active listings available at any given time.

• LinkedIn: A professional network that also lists many truck driving positions, including new listings added weekly.

• Driver Jobs Australia: A specialised platform focused exclusively on truck driver recruitment, covering all licence classes from MR to MC.

• Company Websites: Major transport and logistics companies, as well as large mining companies like BHP, often advertise positions directly on their websites.

Industries with High Demand

Truck drivers are in demand across many sectors for truck driving jobs in Australia, offering diverse work environments and opportunities.

Also Read: Jobs in Australia for Indians: Salary, Visa & Documents

What are the Career Advancement and Support Programs for Truck Driving Jobs in Australia 2025?

A career in truck driving offers a clear path for professional growth and skill development.

Career Progression Opportunities

Drivers can advance their careers in a number of ways, from gaining new skills to transitioning into management.

• Licence Upgrades: Progressing from an MR (Medium Rigid) to an MC (Multi Combination) licence opens up higher-paying job opportunities.

• Specialised Endorsements: Obtaining endorsements for dangerous goods, crane operations, or oversized loads can lead to premium rates.

• Training and Mentorship: Experienced drivers often move into training roles, helping to onboard and mentor new drivers.

• Management Roles: Opportunities exist to transition into office-based roles such as fleet management, operations coordination, and logistics planning.

• Owner-Operator: Entrepreneurial drivers can start their own transport businesses, leveraging industry knowledge and networks.

Support and Assistance

The Australian government and industry associations provide support to help address the ongoing driver shortage.

• Training Completion Bonuses: Many registered training organisations, in partnership with trucking associations, offer bonuses for drivers who complete specific courses.

• Apprenticeship Programmes: There is growing government and industry support for apprenticeship programmes aimed at attracting a younger workforce.

• Migration Support: Programmes like DAMA are a clear sign of the government's commitment to addressing the driver shortage through skilled overseas recruitment.

Conclusion

Truck driving jobs in Australia present exceptional opportunities with a high number of unfilled positions and competitive salaries. The combination of high demand, diverse career pathways, and specialised visa programmes through DAMA creates unique prospects for both Australian and international drivers seeking a stable and well-compensated career. Success in the industry relies on obtaining the appropriate licences and qualifications, maintaining a clean driving record, and meeting health and character standards. With the industry projected to grow significantly, a career in trucking offers sustained employment opportunities across a variety of sectors throughout Australia. Visit TerraTern to know more!