What is the average forklift driver salary in Australia?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median weekly earnings for a full-time forklift driver are $1,340, and median hourly earnings are $35. This is for non-managerial adult employees. Actual pay can vary by award classification, industry, and experience. The Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides set minimum award rates, which increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.

Does casual loading apply to forklift drivers, and how does it affect pay?

Yes, casual employees are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For example, if the base rate is $26.44 (the National Minimum Wage), the casual rate becomes $33.05. Superannuation (12%) is then paid on top of the total ordinary earnings, including the loading. Our timesheet calculator lets you add the casual loading with a checkbox – never enter a rate that already includes loading.

Is superannuation included in the hourly rate for forklift drivers?

No, superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a forklift driver earning $35 per hour, super adds an extra $4.20 per hour, which goes into your super fund. The employer pays this amount to your super fund, not as part of your take-home pay.

Forklift Driver Salary: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, and What You Actually Take Home

Based on ABS data, the median hourly earnings for a full-time forklift driver are $35, equating to around $69,160 per year if working 38 hours a week, though many work 42 hours.

Understanding the Forklift Driver Salary

When you search for a forklift driver salary in Australia, you are likely looking for a reliable estimate of what you can earn per hour, per week, or per year. The answer depends on whether you are casual or permanent, and which award covers your workplace. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets minimum award rates each year, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes median earnings for the occupation.

According to the profile for forklift drivers, the median full-time weekly earnings are $1,340, and median hourly earnings are $35. This data comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. Note that this is for full-time non-managerial adult employees. Many forklift drivers work an average of 42 hours per week, but the standard full-time week used in most calculations is 38 hours.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

The basic formula is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

If you are a permanent full-time employee working 38 hours per week at the median hourly rate of $35, your annual salary would be:

$35 × 38 × 52 = $69,160

If you work the average 42 hours per week, the annual figure rises to:

$35 × 42 × 52 = $76,440

Our timesheet calculator on the home page assumes 38 hours per week unless you change it. You can enter your own hourly rate and adjust the hours to match your roster. The calculator also shows your fortnightly pay (weekly × 2) and annual figures.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for lack of paid leave. For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees. The casual rate becomes $26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour.

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings, including any casual loading. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. So if you earn $33.05 per hour as a casual, your employer pays an extra $3.97 per hour into your super fund. That means the total cost to the employer is $37.02 per hour, but your take-home pay is based on the $33.05 hourly rate.

Our casual loading page explains more, and the timesheet has a checkbox to add 25% loading automatically. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading – the calculator will double it.

Award Coverage for Forklift Drivers

Most forklift drivers are covered by a modern award, such as the Storage Services and Wholesale Award or the Manufacturing Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, which list minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the official classifications and wage-related allowances for each award.

From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%, and the National Minimum Wage rose to $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). The pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website have been updated to reflect these changes.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your gross annual pay is not what you keep. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) resident tax rates for 2026–27 are:

Nil on the first $18,200, then 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000, 30% between $45,001 and $135,000, 37% between $135,001 and $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income.

For a forklift driver earning $69,160 per year, the tax would be approximately $12,588 plus Medicare, leaving around $54,572 take-home pay. Our take-home pay estimator gives a more precise calculation, and the super and packaging page explains how salary sacrifice can affect your tax.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

The timesheet on this site is designed to give you a quick estimate. Enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading), select the casual loading checkbox if applicable, and the calculator shows your annual, fortnightly, weekly, and hourly figures. It also estimates tax and super based on the latest ATO and Fair Work data. Remember that this is an estimate – your actual pay may differ due to overtime, allowances, or enterprise agreements.

For more detailed award rates, check the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman or the reference tables on this site. The minimum wage page has the latest national and award rates.