How to become an Articulated Truck Driver
Drives an articulated truck, requiring a specially endorsed class of licence, to transport goods, often over long-haul distances.
Main tasks
- Drives and manoeuvres articulated truck and trailer combinations
- Couples and uncouples trailer combinations as required
- Loads and unloads goods using specialised vehicles such as side loaders
- Performs maintenance and repairs on the truck, utilising specialised mechanical knowledge, particularly when driving in isolated areas
- Maintains knowledge of road rules relating to haulage across all states and territories
- Operates relevant company and client applications to provide real time visibility and trip reports
- Manages cargo weights to comply with load limitations and ensures safe distribution of weight
- May transport livestock or dangerous goods, complying with relevant safety standards
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Driving Operations (TLI31222); Certificate IV in Specialist Driving Operations (TLI40122); Certificate II in Driving Operations (TLI21221)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $101,920 a year
- About 189,200 people work in this job group now, and about 196,900 are projected by 2035. (+4%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become an Articulated Truck Driver?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Driving Operations; Certificate IV in Specialist Driving Operations.
How much does an Articulated Truck Driver earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $101,920 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is an Articulated Truck Driver a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 189,200 to about 196,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become an Articulated Truck Driver?
Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Driving Operations; Certificate IV in Specialist Driving Operations.
Will AI change the work of an Articulated Truck Driver?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04