What is the hourly rate for a qualified train driver in Melbourne in 2026?

From July 2026, a qualified Metro Trains Melbourne driver (SPOT classification) earns $68.65 per hour, or $135,657 per year for a 38-hour week. Trainee drivers start at $39.92 per hour. These rates are from the Metro Trains Melbourne Rail Operations Enterprise Agreement 2023, as reported by and.

How is annual salary calculated from an hourly rate for a train driver?

Annual salary is calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week (usually 38 for full-time) and then by 52 weeks. For example, $68.65 × 38 × 52 = $135,657. This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. Fortnightly pay is the weekly rate multiplied by 2.

Do train drivers in Melbourne get shift penalties and overtime on top of their base rate?

Yes. The base rates shown are for ordinary hours. Train crew work rotating rosters, so shift penalties, weekend rates, and overtime usually add significantly to actual earnings. The enterprise agreement specifies overtime at 150% for the first 4 hours on Monday to Saturday, and annual leave loading of 17.5% or 20% for shift workers. These extras are not included in the base annual figure.

Train Driver Salary Melbourne: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, and Fortnightly Take-Home in 2026–27

A qualified Metro Trains Melbourne driver earns $68.65 per hour from July 2026, equating to $135,657 per year before shift penalties and overtime, based on a 38-hour week.

Understanding the Train Driver Salary Melbourne in 2026–27

If you are researching a train driver salary Melbourne, you are likely looking at Metro Trains Melbourne, the operator of the city's suburban rail network. Train drivers in Melbourne are covered by an enterprise agreement rather than a modern award, which means their pay rates are negotiated and set out in the Metro Trains Melbourne Pty Ltd Rail Operations Enterprise Agreement 2023. This article uses the latest available data from that agreement to show you how to convert an hourly rate to annual pay, what a fortnight looks like, and how tax and super affect take-home pay.

Hourly Rates for Metro Trains Melbourne Drivers

From the first pay period in July 2026, the base hourly rates for Metro Trains Melbourne drivers are as follows, according to and:

Trainee Driver: $39.92 per hour
Qualified Driver Level 1: $46.60 per hour
Loco Driver (conversion): $64.06 per hour
Qualified Driver (SPOT): $68.65 per hour
TSO (Principal Driver): $84.70 per hour

These rates are the base rates for ordinary time. They do not include the 1% 'Metro Tunnel Day One Facilitation Increase' that applies from 30 November 2025, nor do they include shift penalties, overtime, or allowances. The agreement provides for further increases on 1 January 2027.

Converting Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week

The standard full-time working week for most train driver classifications is 38 hours. To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, use the formula:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a Qualified Driver (SPOT) at $68.65 per hour:

$68.65 × 38 × 52 = $135,657 per year

This is the figure reported by for a qualified Metro Trains Melbourne driver. The same calculation works for any classification. For a Trainee Driver:

$39.92 × 38 × 52 = $78,880 per year

Note that some grades, such as Passenger Operations and Driver grades, may have a 40-hour week under the agreement. The page notes that for those grades the true hourly rate is the weekly rate divided by 40. Always check your specific classification and agreement.

Fortnightly Pay and Take-Home

Fortnightly gross pay is simply the weekly rate multiplied by 2. For a Qualified Driver (SPOT) earning $135,657 per year, the weekly base rate is $2,608.79 ($135,657 ÷ 52), so the fortnightly gross is $5,217.58.

Take-home pay is what remains after income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (single thresholds not confirmed for 2026–27, so the 2025–26 thresholds are used in the calculator). For a $135,657 annual salary, the estimated tax is about $30,267 and Medicare $2,713, leaving a take-home of approximately $102,677 per year, or $3,949 per fortnight. This is before any salary packaging or HELP repayments.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. It does not come out of your hourly rate. For a Qualified Driver (SPOT), the employer would contribute an additional $16,279 per year (12% of $135,657), up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not included in the annual salary figure shown above.

How These Rates Compare to Minimum Wage and Awards

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A casual worker gets $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading. Train driver rates are well above the minimum, reflecting the skill, responsibility, and shift work involved. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains minimum rates for award-covered employees, but train drivers in Melbourne are covered by an enterprise agreement, not an award.

What the Annual Figure Does Not Include

The annual salary calculated here assumes the same hourly rate every week, with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. In reality, train drivers work rotating rosters that attract shift penalties, weekend rates, and overtime. The enterprise agreement provides for overtime at 150% for the first 4 hours on Monday to Saturday, and annual leave loading of 17.5% for non-shift workers or 20% for shift workers. These extras can significantly boost actual earnings. The base annual figure is a starting point, not a guarantee of total compensation.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

To estimate your own pay, use our hourly conversion tool. Enter your base hourly rate, select a 38-hour week, and the calculator will show your annual gross, fortnightly pay, estimated tax, Medicare, and super. If you are a casual employee, check the box to add 25% casual loading on top of your base rate. Remember, the calculator assumes a consistent 38-hour week with no penalties or allowances. For a more detailed estimate tailored to your roster, refer to your enterprise agreement or speak with your employer.

Other Factors for Train Drivers

Shift penalties: Typically add 15–30% for afternoon, night, and weekend shifts.
Overtime: Paid at time-and-a-half for the first 4 hours, then double time.
Allowances: Such as the Suburban Allowance for drivers regularly driving suburban electric trains.
Annual leave loading: 17.5% or 20% paid on top of leave.

These are not included in the base annual figure but are a substantial part of a train driver's total remuneration.

Summary

A train driver salary Melbourne for a qualified driver (SPOT) is $68.65 per hour, or $135,657 per year based on a 38-hour week. Fortnightly gross is about $5,218, with take-home around $3,949 after tax and Medicare. Super of 12% is paid on top. These rates are from the enterprise agreement and are significantly higher than the National Minimum Wage. For a personalised estimate, use our take-home pay calculator and check your specific agreement.

Disclaimer: Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.