How To Become A Delivery Driver (Courier) In Australia: Explained

Do you enjoy travelling and have excellent driving skills? If yes, you can become a delivery driver in Australia.

Delivery Drivers operate various vehicles to pick up and deliver goods to their destination. You can become a Delivery Driver without formal qualifications. However, completing a certificate II, III, or IV in driving operations can help you secure a job fast.

This blog discusses the role, required qualifications, and career opportunities to help you decide whether becoming a delivery driver is something you wish to pursue.

If you want to know how to become an Uber Eats Delivery Person in Australia, please click HERE.

1. Who Is A Delivery Driver?

Delivery drivers are trained workers who pick up and transport goods to their destination. They operate many vehicles, such as light vans, trucks, utilities, cars, scooters, bicycles, and motorcycles. 

Those vehicles deliver various items, including food, white goods, animals, equipment, mail, machinery, and furniture.

2. What Does A Delivery Driver Do In Australia?

A typical day for a delivery driver consists of the following responsibilities:

• Check and verify loading documents

• Complete relevant paperwork like manifests

• Use technologies such as google maps and GPS and a handheld scanning device

• Determine the shortest and safest delivery routes to transport goods to the destination

• Manoeuvre vehicles into the correct position to load and unload goods from them

• Assist with lifting, loading, and securing goods to ensure their proper arrangement for safe delivery to avoid damage

• Assess and report vehicle maintenance needs

• Unload goods from vehicles 

• Obtain delivery payment and receipt for delivered goods

• Ensure deliveries reach the destination on time and in good condition

• Drive, park, and manoeuvre vehicles safely

• Use a 2-way radio, or other electronic devices, to stay in touch with the depot

• Handle delivery payments accurately and arrange accounts

• Provide service and advice to customers

3. What Skills Do You Need To Become A Delivery Driver?

The most important skill you need for this role is safe driving skills. The driver should be skilled at changing lanes, parking, and anticipating other drivers and pedestrians on the road, including driving in various weather conditions.

To become a good delivery driver, besides skilful driving, focus on developing the following soft skills:

• Trustworthy 

• Great time management skills

• Dependable

• Hard worker

• Physically fit and stamina to able to lift and displace heavy items

• Alert

• Quick-thinking

• Friendly 

• Able to work under a flexible work schedule 

• Approachable

• Punctual

• Able to follow safe manual handling practices 

• Able to obtain an in-depth knowledge of suburban streets and city 

• Good communication skills 

• Mathematical ability to perform calculations

• Able to handle pressure and stressful conditions

• Knowledge of satellite navigation systems to drive in new places

• Able to manage and deliver couriers carefully and safely

• Good organization skills

• Time management skills

• Good Self-management to stay productive throughout their shifts

4. Qualifications For Delivery Drivers In Australia

There are no formal qualifications to work as a Delivery Driver, as many employers provide informal on-the-job training to new hires.

Though entry requirements vary, most employers usually prefer delivery drivers who meet the following qualifications:

1. Complete Year 10 education

2. Have an appropriate state-specific driver's license to drive motorized vehicles

3. Undertake a VET qualification in Driving Operations as a Certificate II, III, or IV or volunteer as a driver 

4. Attend a heavy vehicle driving school and pass an assessment to upgrade to drive Light Rigid, Medium Rigid, or Heavy Rigid vehicles

5. Pass a Police Check

6. Maintain a good driving record and keep your license up to date

5. Steps To Become A Delivery Driver In Australia

The pathway to becoming a delivery driver requires academic experience and skills. We have listed the usual learning route to pursue this career: 

Step 1: Complete Year 10 Of High School

Many businesses prefer candidates who have completed their education and possess a Year 10 school certificate. Consider completing your high school education in mathematics and English to improve your communication and numerical skills.

Step 2: Decide Delivery Type

Delivery drivers deliver a wide range of items to customers, such as clothes, kitchen items, electronics etc.

Depending on the items you work with, you need the right vehicle and driving license to carry it from the source to the destination. Start by deciding the kind of deliveries you wish to make.

Step 3: Decide The Right Vehicle For Delivery

Once you have finalized the delivery type, choose from a range of delivery vehicles to deliver. Some vehicle types for delivery drivers are trucks, vans, motorcycles, and cars. Choose the one that you find appropriate to carry the courier across locations.

Step 4: Obtain A Driver's License

Next, research and find the license requirements to drive it in the state where you wish to work. The most common license types based on the class of vehicle and location are Car (C), Restricted rider (RE), Rider (R), Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR), and Heavy Rigid (HR).

You need at least a minimum open/unrestricted Car (C) class driver's license to work as a delivery driver in Australia. To drive heavy vehicles in Australia, you must undertake a course to upgrade your C license to LR, MR, or HR license.

Businesses generally employ delivery drivers with full licenses and can drive unsupervised. If you hold a learner driver's license, you may need a further 3 to 4 years to get a full driver's license (based on location and age).

Having identified the delivery and vehicle type, take a driver's training course, and pass the theoretical and practical examination to obtain a driver's license.

Step 5: Take A Driving Course

Undertake a VET qualification or traineeship with a Certificate II, III, or IV in Driving Operations. It will give you industrial experience and boosts your employability for the role.

Suppose you need help finding a traineeship opportunity. In that case, you can volunteer and drive for community services such as aged care homes, charities, food banks, etc.

Step 6: Pass A Police Check

Passing a police check is a mandatory requirement to secure a job. A delivery driver must undertake this test and show a clean civil and criminal record and excellent character to work in this role.

Step 7: Apply For Delivery Driver Jobs

You can at least apply for delivery driver job openings with a provisional driving license. Highlight any job-relevant experience in paid or volunteer jobs in your resume. It will help your application stand out among the rest.

After getting employed, consider completing the Transport and Logistics Training Package to develop additional skills and further expand your career prospects in this industry.

6. Relevant Delivery Driver Courses in Australia

A VET qualification in Driving Operations is the best way to engage in driving operation job roles in the transport industry in Australia. The qualification is offered as a traineeship in various levels as a Certificate II/III/IV in Driving Operations.

The Certificate III qualification equips a trainee with a defined range of skilled operations to work as a courier driver or freight driver in a warehouse or as part of a logistics team. The course offers a broader understanding of workplace procedures to perform the following:

• WHS Procedure

• Operate a motorized commercial vehicle

• Manual vehicle handling

• Customer service

• Basic calculations

• Secure cargo

• Fatigue management

• Vehicle inspections

Below is the list of relevant certification courses, along with the training schools that offer them:

• Certificate II in Driving Operations

• Certificate III in Driving Operations

• Certificate IV in Driving Operations

7. Working Conditions For A Delivery Driver

Delivery drivers work on a subcontract basis with courier companies. They spend most of their time working alone, on the road and in different weather conditions. Depending on the employer, some courier drivers need to wear a uniform.

While some courier drivers work standard business hours, others work unusual schedules. Those employed in supermarket chains work overnight or in shifts, such as early morning shifts, night shifts, weekend shifts, and public holiday shifts.

Around 52% of workers work full-time, which shows possibilities for part-time work in this profession. Full-time workers work 43 hours per week. The average age of workers in this occupation is 39, but many are younger than 25.

Only 10% of the total workforce is female. It is low compared to the industry's average of 48%. It shows that the occupation is more popular among male candidates.

8. Job Opportunities For A Delivery Driver In Australia

There is a high demand for delivery drivers, particularly bicycle couriers in metropolitan cities, as they are highly efficient in busy areas. Delivery Drivers can work in any part of the country and worldwide, driving short distances at local levels or hauling goods across borders.

Public and private courier agencies employ delivery drivers in the below positions:

• Courier Driver

• Freight Driver

• Bus Driver

• Line Haul Driver

• Agitator Driver

• Local Heavy General Freight Driver

• Pilot Vehicle Driver

• Tip Truck Driver

With experience, they can specialize in the following delivery driver jobs in Australia:

• Fast Food Delivery Driver

• Taxi Truck Driver

• Grocery Deliverer 

• Meals on Wheels Driver

9. How To Join Australia Post As A Delivery Driver?

Australia Post is the oldest, largest, and most successful transport fleet with experience of more than 200 years. It has a delivery network of more than 4,000 Post Offices throughout the country.

The organization invites competent courier drivers to join their team and work in a diverse environment while relishing an excellent work-life balance and outstanding career growth opportunities.

The Most Common Delivery Drivers' Job Roles In Australia Post are:

• Motorcycle Postie

• Electric Delivery Driver

• Technical Specialist   

• Technical Specialist 

• Freight Handler       

• Sales Specialist C&C

• Postal Delivery Officer

• Retail Box Sorter

• Retail Customer Service Officer

• Mail Officer Position

• Van Driver

Are you interested in joining the Australia Post and want to know how to become a delivery driver for them? If yes, You must check out the latest Australia post delivery driver jobs and recruitment process.

10. Job Outlook For Delivery Drivers In Australia

Posties are front-line workers who provide outstanding customer service under strict deadlines. They form an essential part of the businesses operating in Transport, Accommodation, Food Services, Wholesale Trade, Postal and Warehousing.

According to the National Job Outlook website, "delivery driver" is a highly sought-after occupation where workers in several regions of Australia are employed. The government estimates that the number will grow from 72,500 in 2020 to 79,800 by 2025.

11. How Much Does A Courier Driver Earn In Australia?

The average delivery driver's salary is $78,509 annually, equivalent to $25.35 per hour in Australia. Besides experience, location is another critical factor that determines their salary.

The top-paying cities for delivery drivers in Australia are:

• Sydney NSW: $98,058 per year

• Newcastle NSW: $94,140 per year

• Hobart TAS: $92,515 per year

• Dandenong VIC: $91,126 per year

• Melbourne VIC: $85,688 per year

• Perth WA: $84,189 per year

• Adelaide SA: $82,353 per year

• Bendigo VIC: $81,581 per year

12. Conclusion

A "delivery driver" job is ideal for safe and efficient drivers. Good work-life balance, minimum eligibility requirements, job security, and the opportunity to travel to different locations countrywide make it an ideal career option for many. 

You must complete Certificate II/III/IV in driving operations and start working.

Useful Links to Explore:

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• Driving in Australia as an International Student
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