How to become a Bus Driver

Drives a bus to transport passengers short distances on scheduled intra-city services over established routes.

Main tasks

• Drives a bus to transport passengers over established routes while adhering to traffic regulations
• Stops at set locations to enable passengers to board and alight
• Assists passengers with boarding and disembarking from the bus
• Collects fares and issues tickets, and monitors electronic payment
• Provides information to passengers regarding routes, schedules and fares
• Monitors and ensures the safety of passengers during transit, and maintains the orderly conduct of passengers
• Completes required paperwork and documentation, such as daily logs and incident reports

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Driving Operations (TLI21221)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $93,340 a year
• About 40,200 people work in this job group now, and about 44,000 are projected by 2035. (+9.2%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Charter and Tour Bus Driver
• Passenger Coach Driver
• Chauffeur
• Oversize Load Pilot Escort
• Rideshare Driver
• Taxi Driver

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Bus Driver?

Ways in include: Certificate II in Driving Operations.

How much does a Bus Driver earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $93,340 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Bus Driver a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 40,200 to about 44,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Bus Driver?

Usually not. Only 15% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Driving Operations.

Will AI change the work of a Bus Driver?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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