Paid Training. Get your HR Licence. Long-Term Career.

Location: Turrbal Country (Northgate and Narangba), Yuggera and Turrbal Country (Darra) and surrounding Meanjin (Brisbane) locations.

Ready for a career change? We'll help you get behind the wheel.

Have you ever thought about becoming a truck driver but weren't sure how to get started?

Cleanaway's Driver Academy is designed to support women, female-identifying and non-binary people to enter Australia's essential waste and resource recovery industry through a paid training and employment pathway. No heavy vehicle driving experience is required.

Whether you're returning to work, changing careers, looking for greater job security or wanting a fresh challenge, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

About Cleanaway

Cleanaway is Australia's largest waste management and resource recovery company, employing more than 10,000 people across hundreds of locations nationwide. For more than 50 years, we've been helping Australian communities create a more sustainable future through waste management, recycling and resource recovery solutions.

We work with local councils, small businesses, major corporations and government agencies to provide essential services that keep communities clean, safe and sustainable.

About the Driver Academy

The Driver Academy is a structured employment pathway that provides the training, support and practical experience needed to become a professional truck driver with Cleanaway.

This paid 5-week program is designed to remove barriers for people wanting to enter the transport and waste management industry, while creating meaningful employment opportunities in a sector that keeps Australia moving.

The program includes:

• Heavy Rigid (HR) licence training and assessment (no cost to you we cover it)
• Paid training and practical experience
• Industry-leading driver development
• On-the-job learning with experienced operators
• Ongoing mentoring and coaching
• Uniforms and PPE provided
• Exposure to multiple vehicle types and operational environments
• Direct pathways into long-term employment opportunities

No heavy vehicle driving experience is necessary. We're looking for people with the right attitude, commitment and willingness to learn.

Available Opportunities

Turrbal Country (Northgate and Narangba)

Vehicle Types:

• Side Lift
• Rear Lift
• Front Lift
• Hook Lift
• Light Vehicle Bin Delivery Hours:

Roster:

• Full Time Monday to Friday
• Typically 5:30am to 3:30pm
• Hook Lift operations may include weekend work

Indicative Rates of Pay:

• Level 3: $38.70 per hour
• Level 5: $39.76 per hour
• Level 6: $41.16 per hour

Yuggera and Turrbal Country (Darra)

Vehicle Type:

• Rear Lift Collection Vehicle

Roster:

• Hours: 2:30am to 11:00am
• Monday to Friday, with availability for every second weekend preferred.

Pay Rate:

• $36.11 per hour
• increasing to $37.56 per hour from 6 September 2026

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to obtain Defence and Correctional Facility clearances

What You'll Be Doing

Following successful completion of the Driver Academy, you'll join a professional operations team delivering essential services across the community.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Safely operating collection and service vehicles
• Collecting waste and recyclable materials from residential, commercial and industrial customers
• Loading and unloading materials as required
• Transporting loads to disposal and resource recovery facilities
• Conducting pre-start vehicle inspections
• Completing paperwork and operational records accurately
• Maintaining vehicle presentation and cleanliness
• Delivering excellent customer service
• Working safely and effectively both independently and as part of a team

You'll work with a modern, well-maintained fleet and receive ongoing support from experienced leaders and operators.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking people who demonstrate:

• A positive attitude
• Strong work ethic
• Reliability and commitment
• Safety-first mindset
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong communication skills
• Willingness to learn
• Resilience and adaptability
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Pride in delivering quality work

We're more interested in your potential and attitude than your previous experience.

To Be Eligible You Will Need To

• Hold a current unrestricted Australian driver's licence
• Have held your licence for a minimum of 24 months
• Have at least eight demerit points remaining
• Have a safe driving record
• Be legally entitled to work in Australia
• Be willing to work early morning shifts, with typical starts between 3:00am and 5:30am depending on operational requirements
• Be willing to undertake physically active work
• Be committed to safety and teamwork
• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical assessment, including drug and alcohol testing
• Successfully complete background and licence checks relevant to the role

Some locations may require additional site-specific clearances.

Why Join Cleanaway?

At Cleanaway you'll enjoy:

• Stable full-time employment opportunities
• Structured career progression pathways
• Ongoing learning and development
• A supportive and inclusive team environment
• Employee Share Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Novated leasing options
• Discounts on private health insurance
• Access to a variety of employee benefits and wellbeing programs
• The opportunity to build a long-term career with Australia's leading waste and resource recovery company

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

At Cleanaway, we recognise the enduring connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country, culture and community.

The principles of caring for Country closely align with the important work we do in waste management, resource recovery and environmental sustainability.

We are committed to creating culturally safe workplaces and meaningful employment pathways that support long-term careers, economic participation and community outcomes.

Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Women remain significantly underrepresented in operational driving and transport roles across Australia.

The Driver Academy is an identified initiative designed to increase participation and create greater access to careers in the waste and transport industry.

We particularly encourage applications from:

• Women returning to work
• Women changing careers
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
• Women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Mature-age women
• Female-identifying and non-binary people

This Driver Academy is an identified employment initiative designed to improve participation in operational driving and transport roles where women have historically been underrepresented. Consistent with sections 104 and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), applications from women, female-identifying and non-binary candidates are strongly encouraged.

Our Recruitment Process

Our recruitment process may include:

• Application review
• Information session
• Interview with operational leaders
• Driving history check
• Reference checks
• Criminal history checks
• Functional assessment
• Pre-employment medical assessment
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Right to work verification
• Licence and qualification verification

Apply Today

If you're ready to start a new career, gain your HR licence, learn from industry experts and join a team that helps keep Australian communities running every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Places in the Driver Academy are limited and demand is expected to be high.

For more information, please contact Employment Pathways Specialist - Eddie Solien via eddie.solien@cleanaway.com.au.

Applications close 14 August 2026