what is a delivery driver?
A delivery driver is a transport agent responsible for safely moving products from one place to another. The expansion of the commercial sector has boosted the need for expert delivery drivers, and many delivery jobs are related to this profession. As a skilled driver, many companies rely on you to deliver their products on time, and customers need you to make their shopping easier. Different industries require your services to thrive since you can deliver a wide range of products. This is why delivery drivers rarely lack good jobs throughout the year.
delivering diverse products
Most delivery drivers work in the food industry or provide courier services. When you work in the field, you deliver different products, depending on the company you work for. These include retail groceries to customers' homes and commercial products to retailers.
To some extent, delivery drivers are the physical representation of companies to the general public. That means that you have to portray the company's standards during work hours wherever you are. You must be neat, organised, prompt and respectful as you do your duties.
delivery driver jobsaverage salary of a delivery driver
A delivery driver earns between $55,000 and $75,000 annually in Australia. Employers determine the pay of their delivery drivers in different ways. Usually, you make it according to the industry you work in. For example, if you work for restaurants and eateries, you are likely to earn less than working for courier agencies. This is due to the sensitive nature of the packages you deliver. Drivers in the wholesale trade also earn reasonable hourly rates like couriers.
Regular employees get a basic salary that is typically paid weekly. As a regular delivery driver, in some companies, you receive bonuses for deliveries during busy delivery seasons. Working overtime also earns you extra cash, depending on your company. Apart from the pay and remuneration employers offer, it is common to receive tips from satisfied customers.
factors that determine delivery drivers' pay
The salary of a delivery driver usually depends on the employer. If you work for a large delivery company, you will earn more than someone working for a small company. Delivery drivers who work in-house are also likely to make more since they handle all the deliveries. You are paid per delivery when you work for an employer who uses many delivery drivers.
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types of delivery drivers
Some of the types of delivery drivers include:
- Courier: as a courier delivery driver, you deliver packages and documents to individuals, businesses or government agencies. You pick up the parcel from a customer's location and give it to a designated address. You can also deliver sensitive documents.
- Food delivery driver: as a food delivery driver, you deliver food and takeaway orders to the customers' doorsteps. You also take orders and receive payments from the customers.
- Freight driver: as a freight driver, you will be responsible for transporting goods and materials from one location to another. This may involve driving a truck, van, or other vehicle types. You will need to be able to load and unload your vehicle safely, and you may also be responsible for keeping track of your cargo.
- Furniture driver: as a furniture driver, you will be responsible for picking up and delivering furniture to customers. This will involve loading and unloading furniture and assembling and disassembling it when necessary. You will need to be physically fit and able to lift heavy furniture, as well as be able to use essential tools for assembly and disassembly. Good customer service skills are also crucial, as you will be dealing with customers daily.
- Package delivery driver: as a package delivery driver, you work for mail and courier delivery services and drive trucks from distribution centres to customers' workplaces or homes. Unlike other delivery drivers, your job is physically demanding since the packages can be heavy.
- Floral delivery driver: as a floral delivery driver, you transport floral arrangements to customers' residences or places of business. The vehicle is sometimes climate-controlled to ensure flowers arrive at the destination in good condition.
working as a delivery driver
Delivery drivers pick up and deliver items to various destinations. It is a flexible and stable outdoor job in the logistics industry with a promising job outlook. Let's explore the daily tasks and work environments of delivery drivers.
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duties and responsibilities
Some tasks of delivery drivers include:
- Planning deliveries: before you begin transporting packages, you must prepare. Determine the route, time and number of deliveries you should make.
- Loading and unloading packages: in most cases, you will have to assist in loading and unloading packages or supervising other people doing the job. It helps you account for all the products scheduled for delivery.
- Transporting and delivering products: a delivery driver's primary responsibility. It involves navigating through traffic to get the deliveries to awaiting customers on time.
- Communicating with customers: as a delivery driver, you must inform the customers when their delivery is due. In most cases, you'll have to confirm drop-sites and seek out the necessary information in case the directions are unclear or inaccurate. Once you arrive at the location, you engage with your company's customers professionally and ensure they're satisfied with the service.
- Handling payment: delivery drivers ensure that customers pay for Cash on Delivery (COD) products. For some companies, this can be as simple as confirming mobile or credit card payments.
- Installing products: depending on the kind of products you deliver and the company you work for, there are times when you will have to help customers install products like furniture and electronics.
- Handling the paperwork: once the customer has received and paid for the package, you have to help them sign delivery documents. These prove that you completed the delivery. In some businesses, these documents are ePODs (electronic proof of delivery)
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work environment
Being a delivery driver is physically demanding, especially when loading and unloading packages. Some of these products are heavy or delicate, so you should be physically and mentally fit to handle them properly. As a delivery driver, you use a company vehicle or bike for which you are responsible and wear your company's uniform during work hours.
Moreover, this job is highly social; you interact with loaders, customers and other people inside and outside your company while working. You also have to take a lot of time on the road, which involves maneuvering traffic, harsh weather and various road conditions. Nonetheless, your work will be highly stress-free and rewarding with good organisation. Finally, expect to be under strict supervision, primarily if your employer uses driver management software.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include freight handlers, postal delivery officers and technical specialists. You might also be working near retail customer service officers, sales specialists, and other specialists that could include, but are not limited to, couriers, sales representatives, marketing executives, marketing coordinators and customer service representatives.
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work schedule
Your method of working as a delivery driver determines your work schedule. Some drivers have a regular schedule, especially those delivering goods or products to institutions and businesses. In most cases, you work about 40 hours a week. In this position, you either work 10 hours for four days or eight hours for five days. The hours depend on the kind of products set for delivery.
For instance, you must start your work early in the morning if you deliver baked goods or dairy products. You will likely have an option to work overtime and weekends. As a self-employed driver, expect to have a more irregular work schedule. You choose which days you work and how many hours you work. Self-employed delivery drivers generally have a second job, meaning they make deliveries at night, over the holidays and on weekends.
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job outlook
As more companies transact business online to meet customer demands, they need more drivers to deliver their products. The National Job Outlook predicts delivery drivers will increase to 79,800 by 2025. This growth will be primarily felt in the food and retail delivery industries. Experts project this growth potential based on the development of the online market. Apart from direct employment, delivery agencies are rising as third-party service providers for medium and large enterprises. Such delivery companies offer full-time, part-time and franchise work options.
You can also opt for self-employment if you have your means of transportation. As a freelance delivery driver, you get the opportunity to make more money during your free hours and work on your own time.
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advantages of finding a delivery driver job through randstad
Finding your delivery driver job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of options in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a delivery driver is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent career. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
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great companies to work for as a driver
Via Randstad, you can quickly get a job at one of our top employers. How about working at:
- Amazon: Since founded in 1995, Amazon has aspired to be the company with the best customer service worldwide. One way Amazon guarantees a wide selection of products is through the 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling online on Amazon—including more than 10,000 Australian sellers.
education and skills
Depending on the role you are applying for, you may need a specific driver's licence. For example, a lot of delivery drivers will need Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR), or Heavy Rigid (HR) licences to be considered for multiple delivery driver roles.
There is no formal education necessary for becoming a delivery driver. Most employers provide on-the-job training to ensure the delivery services are satisfactory for their clientele. However, it would be best if you considered some formal qualifications to improve your career prospects. For instance, many businesses prefer candidates with a Year 10 school certificate.
Start with a Certificate II, III and IV in Driving Operations to get the industrial experience you need to boost your employability. Even if you have a driver's licence, you should take a driving course, VET qualification or traineeship. Some employers also expect you to pass the police check.
skills and competencies
As a delivery driver, you need a specific skill set to excel in your work. Some qualities include:
- Customer service: since delivery drivers work an enjoyable job, they have to be good at interacting with many people daily. You also need good communication skills to engage your clients properly and remain courteous. Sometimes, you will deal with unhappy customers and must remain empathetic, decisive and patient.
- Driving skills: you need to be an excellent driver to make all the deliveries on time. Good driving skills mean you can navigate traffic while maintaining a good driving record. A good driver should be able to cover a reasonably long distance and drive for long periods without a glitch.
- Research skills: as a delivery driver, you have to be familiar with the area you sign up for deliveries. Since you'll not have a good understanding of all locations to which you'll deliver products, good research skills will come in handy. Apart from the road network, you need to be able to research neighbourhoods that you've never been to in advance to make your work easier. Having this knowledge also helps you work faster.
- Personal organisation skills: You must plan each trip adequately to achieve successful deliveries. You also have to label and load all the packages for easy access. Additionally, preparing yourself sufficiently for the road and determining the best way to manage your time is essential.
FAQs about working as a delivery driver
Here are the most asked questions about working as a delivery driver:
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what does a delivery driver do?
A delivery driver loads, transports and delivers items to customers. Before driving the truck, you review the orders and package the items from the delivery centre.
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how much does a delivery driver get paid in Australia?
You earn an average salary of $55,000 as a delivery driver. The remuneration package is slightly lower when you start but increases as you gain experience.
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how do I become a delivery driver in Australia?
Depending on the role you are applying for, you may need a specific driver's licence. You can become a delivery driver without formal education, but you should have a Year 10 certificate. VET qualifications in driving operations also increase your employability.
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what is the difference between delivery drivers and couriers?
As a delivery driver, you pick a route and deliver packages to the same area or road daily. A courier is also assigned lanes, but they can pick up items and deliver them to addresses on a different route.
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is delivery driver a good job?
Becoming a delivery driver is a flexible job with attractive remuneration. You can work part-time, full-time or short-term. Furthermore, you are rewarded for working hard.
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how do I apply for a delivery driver vacancy?
Applying for delivery jobs is easy:
- create a Randstad profile and search our delivery driver job offers for vacancies in your area.
- Then send us your CV and cover letter.
Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
