Your guide to the train driver salary in Australia: what changes your fortnight
The median full-time train driver salary is $2,524 per week, or about $131,248 annually before tax, according to Jobs and Skills Australia data.
How much do train drivers earn?
If you're looking at a train driver salary in Australia, the most reliable public benchmark comes from Jobs and Skills Australia. Their data, drawn from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, shows that full-time train and tram drivers earn a median of $2,524 per week before tax. That's about $131,248 a year – well above the national full-time adult ordinary time average of $2,083.70 per week.
This figure is for non-managerial employees working full-time hours. Most train drivers work 44 hours a week on average, and only 2% work part-time. The Australian Taxation Office also provides a guide for train drivers on income and deductions, but does not publish a specific salary figure.
What changes your fortnightly take-home pay
Your take-home pay each fortnight depends on three main factors: the income tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and superannuation. Here's how they apply to a typical train driver earning the median salary.
Tax brackets
For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:
- Up to $18,200: nil
- $18,201 to $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
- $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
- $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
- Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000
On $131,248, your tax is $4,020 plus 30c for every dollar above $45,000. That's $4,020 + $25,874.40 = $29,894.40. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) phases out completely above $66,667, so you receive no offset.
Medicare levy
The Medicare levy is a flat 2% of your taxable income, unless you're on a low income. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Full-time train drivers earn well above $35,013, so you pay the full 2% – that's $2,624.96 on $131,248.
Combined, tax and Medicare come to $32,519.36 per year. That leaves an annual take-home of about $98,728.64, or $3,797.26 per fortnight.
Superannuation
Your employer must pay super on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $131,248 salary, that's an extra $15,749.76 per year going into your super fund. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay – it's an additional contribution.
How to estimate your own take-home
Your actual take-home will vary if you earn more or less than the median, work overtime, or have different tax circumstances. Use our Take-home pay calculator to see your own fortnightly amount after tax and Medicare. For details on how the levy works, see Tax and Medicare.
Remember: the figures here are estimates based on public data. They are not a tax assessment. Always check your own payslip and consult the ATO or a tax professional for your situation.
Questions
What is the average train driver salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for train and tram drivers are $2,524. That works out to around $131,248 a year before tax. This figure is based on ABS data and reflects typical pay for full-time non-managerial employees. Actual salaries can vary by employer, location, and experience.
How does the Medicare levy affect my take-home pay?
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, unless you qualify for a reduction. For 2026–27, the single thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your income is between these, you pay a reduced rate. Full-time train drivers earning above $35,013 pay the full 2% levy, which is deducted from your pay along with income tax.
Is super included in the train driver salary figures?
No. The median earnings figure of $2,524 per week is your gross cash salary before tax. From 1 July 2026, your employer must pay an additional 12% superannuation on top of that salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it goes into your super fund separately.