Minimum pay rates for forklift drivers under the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084)
Forklift drivers operate forklifts and other powered industrial trucks to move, stack, and load goods in warehouses, distribution centres, and construction sites.
$25.68
Base rate/hr
$32.10
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$25.68
Hourly (Casual)
$32.10
Weekly (38hrs)
$975.84
Annual (Full-Time)
$50,743.68
Forklift Drivers in Australia are generally covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some forklift drivers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Forklift operator | $25.68 | $32.10 | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| Level 4 | Senior operator / leading hand | $27.14 | $33.93 | $1,031.32 | $53,628.64 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual forklift drivers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $25.68/hr to $32.10/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual forklift driver working 38 hours per week would earn $63,429.60 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-time forklift drivers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($25.68/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Penalty rates apply when forklift drivers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($25.68/hr base).
Saturday
$38.52/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$51.36/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.20/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Forklift drivers require a High Risk Work Licence. If you hold this licence and are classified below Level 3, you are likely being underpaid.
If you earn less than $25.68/hr as a full-time or part-time forklift driver, or less than $32.10/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forklift Driver | $25.68/hr | $32.10/hr | $50,743.68 | MA000084 |
| Warehouse Worker | $24.73/hr | $30.91/hr | $48,866.48 | MA000084 |
| Logistics Coordinator | $26.74/hr | $33.43/hr | $52,838.24 | MA000084 |
| Retail Worker | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000004 |
The minimum hourly rate for a forklift driver in Australia is $25.68/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $32.10/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
Under the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084), the minimum wage for a forklift driver starts at $25.68/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $975.84/week or $50,743.68/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $24.95/hr.
Forklift Drivers in Australia are generally covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some forklift drivers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
A casual forklift driver receives $32.10/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $25.68/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
Under the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020, forklift drivers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($38.52/hr), Sunday 2x ($51.36/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($64.20/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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