Front lift driver job description
A complete front lift driver job description template for Australian waste operators, with the duties, licences and award detail that actually apply to the role.
Front lift driver job description
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This front lift driver job description template reflects Australian workplace standards and waste industry practice at the time of publication. It is a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Confirm the applicable classification, licence requirements and pay rate against the Waste Management Award 2020 (MA000043) and the actual duties of the role before advertising. For complex coverage questions, seek independent legal or HR advice. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
What does a front lift driver do?
A front lift driver services commercial bins using forks mounted on the front of the vehicle, lifting each bin over the cab and tipping it into the hopper. The runs are commercial rather than residential — shopping centres, industrial estates, hospitality precincts — and they are usually timed to finish before those businesses open.
The vehicles are larger and the environments tighter than kerbside work, which is why the Waste Management Award places front lift operators at Level 6 alongside articulated vehicle drivers and rigid vehicles over 30 tonnes.
Key responsibilities
Core duties included in this job description template
Service commercial front-lift bins
Work a commercial route lifting and tipping bins from the cab using the front fork system.
Manoeuvre in confined commercial yards
Position the vehicle accurately in loading docks, car parks and laneways with limited clearance.
Check overhead clearance before lifting
Confirm there are no awnings, cables or structures in the lift path before raising a bin.
Identify contamination and overloading
Recognise bins that are contaminated or too heavy to lift safely and report rather than force the lift.
Complete pre-start and post-trip checks
Inspect the vehicle and the fork and hopper hydraulics before departure and on return.
Weigh in and dispose correctly
Present at the weighbridge, record against the correct customer and stream, and tip at the licensed facility.
Skills and attributes
What to look for in candidates
Large vehicle precision
Positions a heavy vehicle accurately in confined commercial environments.
Overhead hazard awareness
Checks the lift path every time, because a fouled lift damages property and the vehicle.
Schedule discipline
Completes commercial runs inside the window before businesses open.
Safety judgement
Declines an unsafe lift rather than attempting it under time pressure.
Commercial customer contact
Deals with centre management and business owners about access and bin condition.
Hydraulic awareness
Recognises fork and hopper faults that mean the vehicle should return to the depot.
Licences and qualifications
Requirements for front lift driver positions vary by operator and vehicle class. These are the credentials Australian waste employers ask for most often.
- Heavy Rigid (HR) licence (Required)
Minimum for front-lift vehicles; many operators require Heavy Combination (HC) for larger units.
- Front-lift vehicle experience
Commonly required. Operators generally want demonstrated experience with fork-mounted collection systems.
- Pre-employment medical and drug screen
Commonly required. Standard for heavy vehicle roles.
- Fatigue management training
Commonly required. Reflects the early starts and long commercial runs.
- Certificate III in Driving Operations
Desirable. Supports progression to articulated and B-double classes.
- First aid certificate
Desirable. Valued on crews working alone across a commercial round.
Working conditions
Set clear expectations for candidates about the work environment
- Very early starts to finish commercial runs before businesses open
- Confined loading docks, car parks and laneways with overhead hazards
- Outdoor work in all weather, with repeated cab entry and exit
- Exposure to odour, dust and noise, with PPE provided
- Weekend work on some commercial and hospitality rounds
- Fatigue management obligations under heavy vehicle law
Award coverage
Understanding the Waste Management Award
Waste Management Award 2020 (MA000043)
Most front lift driver positions in Australia are covered by the Waste Management Award 2020 (MA000043). This role generally sits at Level 6, which pays $1,240.98 a week or $32.66 an hour for full-time and part-time employees, and $40.83 an hour for casuals, from 1 July 2026. See the full Waste Management Award pay guide for every classification, penalty rate and allowance.
The rates include the industry allowance
Fair Work publishes these rates with the $3.24 per hour industry allowance already included, because clause 16.2(b) makes it an all-purpose allowance — payable for all purposes including overtime and shift rates. Rate sites that strip it out quote a Level 1 rate around $26.63 instead of $30.11, and every penalty calculated from that lower base is understated.
Waste Management Award pay rates 2026-27
Minimum ordinary hourly rates by classification, effective from 1 July 2026. Casual includes the 25% casual loading. Penalty rates for weekends, evenings and public holidays apply on top.
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 – depot hand in training Depot hand in training | $1143.98 | $30.11 | $37.64 |
| Level 2 – labourer / depot hand Labourers, depot hands, waste facility attendants, process workers, driver offsiders | $1168.48 | $30.75 | $38.44 |
| Level 3 – weighbridge / driver to 4.5t Weighbridge operators, trainee drivers up to 14 tonnes, drivers of vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes | $1180.58 | $31.07 | $38.84 |
| Level 4 – plant to 150 BHP / driver to 14t Truck-mounted crane, road sweeper and incinerator operators; earthmoving plant up to 150 BHP; drivers over 4.5 up to 14 tonnes | $1199.18 | $31.56 | $39.45 |
| Level 5 – driver 14–30t Rear-end loading, roll-on/roll-off, side lift, skip lift, liquid and septic/chemical waste drivers | $1212.58 | $31.91 | $39.89 |
| Level 6 – articulated / over 30t Articulated vehicle drivers, rigid vehicles over 30 tonnes, front lift operators, SOLO grab-operated collection | $1240.98 | $32.66 | $40.83 |
| Level 7 – driver/instructor Driver/instructor, all systems | $1321.78 | $34.79 | $43.49 |
| Level 8 – intermodal / plant over 150 BHP Intermodal and tipping platform operators; earthmoving plant over 150 BHP | $1381.68 | $36.36 | $45.45 |
| Level 9 – double articulated (B double) Double articulated (B double) drivers | $1393.88 | $36.68 | $45.85 |
Source: the Fair Work Waste Management Award pay guide (MA000043). Full classifications, penalty rates, allowances and a calculator are in the Waste Management Award pay guide .
Who should use this template?
This job description template is designed for Australian waste and resource recovery employers
Whether you run a single depot or a multi-site collection fleet, a clear job description reduces disputes about duties and makes award classification easier to defend.
How to use this template
Tips for adapting the job description to your operation
Name the vehicle and equipment
Specify the exact vehicle class and lifting system so applicants know what licence and experience they need.
State the start time honestly
Early starts are the single biggest reason waste roles turn over. Put the real start time in the ad.
Confirm the classification level
This role generally sits at Level 6, but check the classification against the actual duties before you advertise a rate.
List the tickets you will actually check
Only list credentials you will verify. Requirements you do not check discourage good applicants for no benefit.
Describe the site environment
Depot, transfer station, picking line or on-road — candidates self-select accurately when the environment is clear.
Add your own safety expectations
Include any site-specific procedures, PPE and fatigue management obligations that apply.
Ready to hire your next front lift driver?
Once the crew is in place, build compliant rosters in minutes, track early starts with GPS clock-ins and export award-ready timesheets to payroll.
Related resources
More templates and tools for waste and resource recovery employers
Waste Management Award pay guide
Every classification, penalty rate and allowance under MA000043, plus a free calculator.
View the guideWaste management rostering
How collection fleets roster early starts, depot clock-ins and licence-matched relief drivers.
See the industryHR policy templates
Free workplace policy templates including code of conduct, WHS and leave policies.
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This job description is aligned with Australian workplace award requirements
Front lift driver job description FAQ
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A front lift driver services commercial bins using forks mounted on the front of the truck, lifting each bin over the cab and tipping it into the hopper. Runs are commercial — shopping centres, industrial estates and hospitality precincts — and usually timed to finish before those businesses open.
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Level 6 under the Waste Management Award, alongside articulated vehicle drivers, rigid vehicles over 30 tonnes and SOLO grab-operated collection.
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Side lift services residential bins from the kerb using an arm on the side of the vehicle. Front lift services larger commercial bins using forks at the front, lifting the bin over the cab. Front lift vehicles are bigger, the environments are tighter, and the award rates them a level higher.
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Because commercial bins sit in loading docks and car parks that need to be clear before the business opens and customers arrive. The award’s 4.00am ordinary-hours span accommodates this, so an early start is ordinary time rather than overtime.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.