Thinking about becoming a Metro Bus Operator?
This guide gives you a clear picture of what the job involves before you apply, including training, rosters, leave, pay and what day-to-day work can look like.
Quick facts
- Location: Hobart
- Employment: Full-time
- Ordinary hours: 80 hours worked per fortnight
- Paid leave: 5 weeks annual leave + 3 weeks accrued days off over the roster cycle
- Training: 6 weeks fully paid
- Earnings: $70,900–$94,000 + super, depending on classification, roster, penalties, allowances and overtime
What are the eligibility requirements?
To apply, you’ll need:
- a current full Australian driver’s licence, held for at least two years
- Full, long term, working rights in Australia
As part of the recruitment process, you’ll also need to successfully complete:
- a current Registration to Work with Vulnerable People, or evidence that you have applied
- Heavy Rigid Knowledge Test
- The test is a free and can be completed at Service Tasmania
- Don’t be discouraged if you don’t pass the first attempt. You can try again every 24 hours.
- We recommend taking your time to prepare and familiarise yourself with the Heavy Rigid vehicle and road rules before sitting the test.
- Refer this link for more information – Heavy Rigid Knowledge Test
- Heavy Rigid Learners Licence
- a pre-employment medical assessment, including drug and alcohol testing
- a National Police Check
- reference checks
Do I need a heavy vehicle licence to apply?
You do not need a heavy vehicle licence to apply.
If you hold a full car licence and meet Metro’s recruitment and licensing requirements, Metro will provide training through its heavy vehicle licensing pathway.
If you already hold an MR or other suitable heavy vehicle licence, you can still apply.
A licence obtained through Metro’s training pathway has restrictions and is intended for operating relevant Metro vehicles. We will explain these restrictions during the recruitment process.
Why work as a Metro Bus Operator?
Metro Bus Operators help Tasmanians get to work, school, appointments and the places that matter to them.
It is a practical, people-focused job that combines driving, customer service, decision-making and responsibility. You will work independently, meet different people every day and play an important role in keeping Tasmanian communities moving.
It is also shift-based work, so it is important to understand the hours and roster arrangements before you apply.
What will I do in this job?
As a Metro Bus Operator, you will:
- be part of a team that keeps Tasmania moving
- drive Metro bus services safely
- help customers and provide good customer service
- follow road rules, safety requirements and work instructions
- work independently and ask for support when needed
- make sound decisions when conditions or situations change
Understanding the roster
Metro operates seven days a week, so Bus Operators work across a range of times.
Depending on your roster, this may include early starts, daytime shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays.
New Bus Operators are usually placed on the Holiday Relief Roster, which helps cover services while other employees are on leave.
Rosters are generally provided at least two weeks in advance.
Many of our drivers love the variety that comes with bus operator shifts, but roster work isn’t for everyone. We know roster arrangements are an important consideration, so we want you to understand how they work so you can decide if a role in the Metro team is right for you.
Straight shifts and spread shifts
A straight shift has two work periods separated by a meal break of less than 90 minutes.
A spread or split shift has two work periods separated by a break of 90 minutes or more.
This extended break is unpaid and can be up to four hours. Depending on where the shift starts and finishes, you may be able to leave the depot during the break.
Many operators use these breaks to catch up on life admin, walk the dog, pop to the shops, or spend time with friends and family. Some of our operators spend the time at our Moonah Depot where we have dedicated recreation spaces including a meal room, computer room, TV room, quiet room, prayer room, pool table room, table tennis area and on-site cafe.
How does the eight weeks of paid leave work?
Full-time Bus Operators receive five weeks of annual leave and also accrue days off as ADOs (Accrued Days Off) through the roster system.
Full-time operators work 80 hours each fortnight. They are paid for 76 ordinary hours, with four hours banked toward accrued days off.
This provides the equivalent of five weeks annual leave plus three weeks of accrued days off across a 56 week cycle.
Leave is rostered in advance and cannot always be taken at a time of your choosing. We will explain how leave blocks work during recruitment and onboarding.
How can I earn up to $94,000?
Our full-time Bus Operators earn between $70,900 and $94,000 plus superannuation.
The upper end of the range is not a guaranteed starting salary. Your total earnings may include base pay, shift penalties, allowances and overtime where applicable.
Your earnings will depend on your classification, progression, roster and duties.
From 1 July 2026, Bus Operators commence on $33.06 per hour.
Six weeks of paid training
You’re bringing plenty of life experience, and we’re teaching you to drive a bus! You don’t need any previous bus-driving experience.
We provide a six-week, fully paid training program designed to build your skills and confidence step by step.
Training is full-time, Monday to Friday, and is delivered by Metro’s training team.
The support doesn’t end once your training is complete. We have a team of Buddy Drivers, Operations Supervisors and trainers to ensure you feel confident and supported whenever you’re on or off the road.
Weeks 1–4
You will complete a combination of classroom learning, vehicle familiarisation, practical driving and licence training.
Licence testing is carried out by Metro’s training team in the Hobart metropolitan area.
Weeks 5–6
You will move into buddy driving with an experienced Bus Operator, with support as you build confidence on the road and across Metro routes.
Some people may need additional support or training beyond the initial six weeks. Where appropriate, Metro can provide further support to help you become ready to operate independently.
Safety and support
Safety is a top priority at Metro, and while you may be working independently on the road, you are not on your own.
Our Operations team is there to support operators throughout their shift, with additional support available through Tasmania Police where required.
Metro also continues to invest in practical safety measures, including driver security screens, CCTV, two-way radios and de-escalation training as part of your initial training.
You’ll also learn how to respond to incidents, access support and report safety concerns.
Is this role right for you?
Being a Metro Bus Operator can offer secure work, paid training, strong earning potential and the satisfaction of helping people move around their community.
It is also different from a conventional 9–5 role.
You may work early mornings, evenings, weekends or public holidays. Some rosters include spread shifts.
You will also be responsible for the safety of your customers and expected to make sound decisions when traffic, weather, customer situations or service disruptions make the day more challenging.
If you are entering through Metro’s heavy vehicle licence pathway, you will need to complete the required training and licensing before you can operate independently.
We want you to have a clear understanding of the role before you apply, so you can decide whether it feels like the right fit for you.
If you have read this guide and can see yourself behind the wheel, we would love to hear from you.
Ready to apply?
If the role sounds right for you, visit Metro’s website to view current vacancies and apply.
For questions about the recruitment process, contact recruitment@metrotas.com.au.
About this information
This guide provides general information for people considering a Metro Bus Operator role.
Your formal employment documents, applicable industrial instruments and current recruitment information set out the official conditions and requirements of the role.
Pay, rosters, benefits, recruitment requirements and training arrangements may change over time.
Questions candidates often ask
No. You can apply with a full car licence. If you meet Metro’s recruitment and licensing requirements, you can complete the required heavy vehicle licence training as part of your paid training with Metro.
A licence obtained through Metro’s training pathway is intended for operating relevant Metro vehicles and may have restrictions.
Metro will explain these requirements during the recruitment process.
Absolutely. Metro also recruits people who already hold relevant heavy vehicle licences and experience.
No. Metro operates across different times of day, so your roster can vary.
Depending on your roster, you may work early starts, daytime shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays.
No. Depending on your roster, you may work a mix of straight shifts and spread or split shifts.
Spread shifts include a longer unpaid break between two work periods, so it’s important to be comfortable with this type of roster.
Everyone learns at a different pace. If you need additional support beyond the initial six-week training program, Metro can provide further coaching and training where appropriate to help you build the skills and confidence you need to operate independently.
It will depend on the length of the break, where each part of your shift starts and finishes, and how far you live from the location. You may be able to leave the depot during the break.
No. A spread-shift break is an extended unpaid break between the two work periods.
This will vary depending on your roster.
Spread shifts are a regular part of Metro’s roster structure, so it’s important to be comfortable with this type of work pattern before applying.
Yes. Metro has a range of full-time and some part-time roster arrangements.
New Bus Operators will usually commence on the roster available for their intake. As other roster vacancies become available, they may be advertised internally to existing employees through the relevant selection process.
Full-time Bus Operators receive five weeks of annual leave, plus the equivalent of three weeks of accrued days off through the roster system.
Together, this makes up the eight weeks of rostered paid leave referred to in our recruitment information.
Leave blocks are allocated as part of the roster cycle.
Once your leave block is assigned, annual leave is scheduled in line with that roster.
Annual leave is assigned in two blocks of four weeks. These blocks will fall every six months.
It is possible to earn towards the top of the advertised range, but $94,000 is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Your total earnings will depend on your base pay, progression, roster, penalties, allowances and overtime where applicable.