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Brisbane Traffic Controller Shares Salary Insights
A Brisbane traffic controller recently shed light on her earnings, revealing she makes over $100,000 annually. This disclosure arose during an interview with InTrade, a platform for tradies, where she discussed prevalent myths about pay in her industry, particularly the belief that traffic controllers can earn up to $200,000.
While she expressed a desire to earn such a high salary, she confirmed that she had not encountered any colleagues in her workplace earning that amount. This candid share has stirred discussions about the realities of compensation within the traffic management sector.
Industry Pay Structure
The Fair Work Ombudsman outlines the minimum wage for traffic controllers, which is set at $35.04 per hour for casual workers on construction sites, complemented by penalty rates for work on weekends and public holidays. Specifically, Sunday rates are at $63.07, while public holiday rates reach $77.08 per hour.
Despite the potential for high earnings through overtime and penalty rates—particularly in unionised sectors where longer hours may be common—the Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA) indicates that most traffic controllers realistically earn between $55,000 and $75,000 a year. TMAA CEO, Matthew Bereni, underscores the importance of the role in ensuring road safety, noting the extensive training that many traffic controllers undergo.
Quick Route to Qualification
One notable aspect of this career is the relatively short training period required for qualification. The Brisbane traffic controller mentioned that she only needed two days of training to become certified. The certification process in Queensland involves completing an approved traffic controller training programme, broken into two components: an in-class course lasting approximately eight to nine hours and a minimum of 20 hours of supervised on-the-job training.
Facing Industry Criticism
During her interview, the traffic controller addressed the criticism that her profession often receives regarding pay. She encouraged skeptics to experience the job firsthand, stating, “Come and give it a go,” while acknowledging the challenges involved, especially if one is not well-versed in the responsibilities tied to effective traffic management.
Her salary, while not reaching the heights suggested by some, exceeds the median full-time wage of around $88,400 in Australia, suggesting that for those entering this field, it offers a viable earning potential with a brief entry path.
Conclusion
The discussion around the earnings of traffic controllers highlights a disparity between public perception and actual salary figures. With the possibility of higher wages through overtime and weekend work, the role remains crucial for road safety and infrastructure management. For aspiring workers, the low barrier to entry represents an attractive opportunity in the evolving workforce landscape.
