Forklift driver salary: what you can expect to take home in 2026–27

Forklift driver salary: what you can expect

If you are looking at a forklift driver salary in Australia, the amount you actually receive in your bank account depends on several factors: the award that covers your job, your classification level, your hours, and the tax you pay. This guide explains where a typical forklift driver salary sits against the national minimum wage and full-time ordinary earnings, and how to estimate your take-home pay after income tax and the Medicare levy.

How awards set the rate

Most forklift drivers are covered by a modern award, such as the Storage Services and Wholesale Award or the General Retail Industry Award. These awards set minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, and allowances. The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database, which contains the calculated minimum rates for each award . The Fair Work Ombudsman also provides pay guides that summarise the minimum pay rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees . Because rates vary by classification and experience, there is no single "forklift driver salary" figure. You should check the specific award that applies to your role.

National minimum wage comparison

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (for a 38-hour week). This is the floor for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most forklift drivers earn above this, often between $27 and $32 per hour depending on the award level and any shift penalties. The full-time adult ordinary time earnings, as measured by the ABS, are $2,083.70 per week (around $108,350 per year). A typical forklift driver salary is below that benchmark, but it can vary widely.

Take-home pay after tax and Medicare

To work out your take-home pay, you need to deduct income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 tax year, the tax rates are:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15 cents per dollar from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30 cents per dollar from $45,001 to $135,000
• Plus a low-income tax offset (LITO) of up to $700 that phases out between $37,500 and $66,667.

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. If you are single and earn below $28,011, you pay no Medicare levy; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate (10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold). Full-time salaries almost always exceed $35,013, so the full 2% applies.

For example, on a gross annual salary of $55,000 (a reasonable estimate for an experienced forklift driver), your tax would be approximately $6,717, plus Medicare of $1,100, leaving a take-home of about $47,183 per year, or $907 per week. Use our Take-home pay calculator for a personalised estimate.

Superannuation

From 1 July 2026, your employer must contribute superannuation at 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. So if your forklift driver salary is advertised as $55,000 plus super, your total employment cost is $61,600, but your take-home pay is based on the $55,000.

Where your salary sits against benchmarks

• National minimum wage: $26.44/hour, $52,255/year (38-hour week). A forklift driver earning $28/hour is 6% above minimum.
• All employees average: $1,579.20/week ($82,118/year) – includes part-time workers. Many forklift drivers earn less than this average.
• Full-time adult ordinary time: $2,083.70/week ($108,352/year) – most forklift drivers earn below this.

Your actual take-home will depend on your award classification, overtime, and any allowances. For a detailed breakdown, see our Minimum wage and Tax and Medicare guides.

Key takeaways

• A forklift driver salary is not a fixed number; it varies by award and employer.
• The national minimum wage is the legal floor, but most drivers earn more.
• After income tax and the 2% Medicare levy, your take-home is roughly 80–85% of your gross salary.
• Super is additional and not part of your take-home pay.

For a precise estimate of your own situation, use the Clearance tool on this site.