Table of contents
Introduction
Want a career with the flexibility to choose your own hours, the autonomy to work as your own boss, and the potential for unlimited earnings? A career as a delivery driver could be for you!
There’s never been a better time to become a delivery driver in Australia - it’s a popular gig for the right reasons: the profession is expected to grow strongly in the next few years!
Like all exciting and rewarding career paths, there are some essential things you need to know before hitting the road. What skills or insurance do you need? How are deliveries allocated? And most important of all - how much can you earn?
A complete picture of what it takes to be a delivery driver can help you hit the road with confidence. But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s jump into the stuff you’re gonna love about being a delivery driver:
What are the perks of being a delivery driver?
More than just travelling from place to place and delivering packages, being a delivery driver can bring fulfilment and excitement and offers a range of benefits that you wouldn’t usually enjoy in a typical 9-5 desk job.
Flexibility to choose your own hours
With many delivery platforms, you will have the freedom to choose when and for how long you want to work. Whether you prefer early mornings, late nights, or even a combination of both, you can create a schedule that suits your lifestyle and personal commitments. This makes delivery driving a popular gig if you want a side hustle, if you’re a student juggling a busy workload, or if you need the flexibility to accommodate a family or other responsibilities.
Autonomy to work as your own boss
Say goodbye to the boss looking over your shoulder every five minutes! As a delivery driver, you will have the unique advantage of working as your own boss. Many delivery platforms allow you to manage your work day and accept delivery jobs as you please. It’s your responsibility to set your service standards, ensure customer satisfaction, and maintain professionalism. This autonomy gives you the power to shape your delivery driver career your way - don’t waste it!
Earning potential
Say goodbye to the boss looking over your shoulder every five minutes! As a delivery driver, you will have the unique advantage of working as your own boss. Many delivery platforms allow you to manage your work day and accept delivery jobs as you please. It’s your responsibility to set your service standards, ensure customer satisfaction, and maintain professionalism. This autonomy gives you the power to shape your delivery driver career your way - don’t waste it!
Physical activity
Say goodbye to the boss looking over your shoulder every five minutes! As a delivery driver, you will have the unique advantage of working as your own boss. Many delivery platforms allow you to manage your work day and accept delivery jobs as you please. It’s your responsibility to set your service standards, ensure customer satisfaction, and maintain professionalism. This autonomy gives you the power to shape your delivery driver career your way - don’t waste it!
Customer service
Say goodbye to the boss looking over your shoulder every five minutes! As a delivery driver, you will have the unique advantage of working as your own boss. Many delivery platforms allow you to manage your work day and accept delivery jobs as you please. It’s your responsibility to set your service standards, ensure customer satisfaction, and maintain professionalism. This autonomy gives you the power to shape your delivery driver career your way - don’t waste it!
What skills do you need to become a delivery driver?
Delivery driving is a fast-paced profession and requires drivers to have a very particular set of skills (pun intended). These skills will help you navigate the roads with precision, adapt to dynamic situations, and ensure timely and efficient deliveries.
Excellent time management
We’ve all got that friend who is late to everything. As a delivery driver - don’t be like them! Time management is crucial to your success, directly impacting your ability to meet deadlines. Effectively managing your time enables you to complete deliveries fast, minimising delays and customer dissatisfaction. To help manage your time better, you can:
- Plan your routes and choose the most optimal using a GPS or map platform
- Accept delivery jobs that are available in your local area to reduce travel time
- Prioritise deliveries based on urgency and proximity, giving time-sensitive orders top priority
Strong organisational skills
Strong organisational skills go hand-in-hand with time management. The most successful delivery drivers know that being organised allows them to manage their delivery schedule and deliver before the buzzer. To keep you organised on the road, you can:
- Keep track of the orders you have accepted
- Maintain accurate records of any deliveries you have made (you can do this with pen and paper or in your delivery platform if it allows it)
- Communicate any order errors or delays to the customer proactively
Exceptional navigational skills
Whether you’re cycling through busy city streets or driving through unfamiliar neighbourhoods, having a solid sense of direction (or at least the ability to read a map or follow Google’s directions) is important. Precise navigational skills can allow you to identify the most efficient, time-saving routes and avoid traffic congestion. This in turn ensures a smooth and uninterrupted delivery service.
Customer service aptitude
Strong customer service skills are the secret herbs and spices to your success in the delivery driving game. Your interactions with customers directly impact their satisfaction and feelings about you. It’s essential to always be polite and professional in every customer interaction - even when you don’t feel like it. Actively listen to their needs, concerns or complaints during deliveries. By building rapport and establishing positive relationships, you can build trust, loyalty and your chances of receiving a glowing five-star review.
Adaptability and problem-solving
How do you handle unforeseen challenges? Your ability to adapt to unexpected situations, such as traffic congestion, road closures, delivery complications, or even dissatisfied customers, can play a significant role in your success as a delivery driver. Strong problem-solving skills will enable you to confidently tackle any delivery-related hurdle.
Basic vehicle maintenance
No one wants to be the delivery driver with a clunky, sputtering vehicle that looks like it’s on its last wheels. Having some basic vehicle maintenance skills under your belt can make a difference. At the very least, ensure you know how to change a tyre, top up fluids and jump-start a battery, just in case the unexpected happens. Knowing these simple things will also save you on towing or insurance costs down the track.
How much does a delivery driver earn?
Did you know that Australia’s average delivery driver salary is $58,500 per year (or $30 per hour)? For some services, however, how much you earn ultimately comes down to your determination and willingness to work. A range of factors also come into play, such as:
Delivery platform:
Different services have different compensation structures and payment models. For example, some offer a fixed hourly rate, while others provide a base pay per delivery. Some offer bonuses or surge pricing during busy periods, significantly boosting earnings.
Location:
Working in densely populated areas or regions with high demand often have more consistent and frequent delivery opportunities.
Experience or reputation:
Depending on the service, more experienced and reliable drivers may have the chance to earn higher wages or access more lucrative delivery assignments. For delivery driver apps, a high customer rating can also impact your earning potential.
Working hours:
Working during business hours or peak demand hours can increase the number of available delivery assignments and the potential to earn more.
What goods in transit insurance coverage do you need?
Before you officially hit the road as a delivery driver, you will need several types of vehicle insurance to ensure you are protected. All delivery platforms in Australia will require compulsory third party insurance, which covers personal injury claims that arise from accidents. We also highly recommend comprehensive insurance, as it covers damages to your vehicle, theft, fire and other risks.
Some also require marine cargo insurance, which covers theft, loss or damage to goods in transit. This insurance ensures that the value of the items you deliver day-to-day is protected, giving you and your customers peace of mind throughout the delivery process.
Before you select a policy, consult an insurance professional. They can guide you on your specific coverage requirements as a delivery driver.
How many orders can you expect to deliver?
The volume of orders you can expect to deliver as a delivery driver can vary significantly based on many factors. The type of delivery service, geographic location, delivery demand, vehicle, and work hours all affect the number of orders you can accept. For example, a busy, inner-city suburb may have a large volume of orders compared to a rural area. While it’s difficult to give an exact number, you should expect to handle multiple orders per day.
How are you allocated deliveries?
The way you are allocated deliveries can depend on several key factors:
Location
Demand for deliveries can vary significantly between different regions.
Platform
Different platforms have different demand levels, which can impact delivery opportunities.
Availability
You may get more delivery opportunities if you are flexible and readily available to work.
Customer rating
A higher customer rating may result in increased order volume or priority allocation.
What do you need to sign up as a delivery driver?
Although requirements may vary between delivery services, you’ll typically need the following before you sign up as a delivery driver:
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Driver's Licence:
A valid driver's licence in your State or Territory.
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Age Requirements:
Most delivery services require drivers to be at least 18 years old.
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Identity Check:
A comprehensive identity check ensures the safety of drivers and customers.
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Vehicle Requirements:
Depending on the delivery service, you may need a vehicle type that meets certain specifications (e.g. size,age, and condition).
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Smartphone and App:
Delivery drivers usually need smartphones to access delivery apps and manage orders.
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Goods in Transit Insurance:
Most services require specific insurance types to protect you and your customers.
What are some of the delivery services you can sign up for?
There are many delivery driver apps and services you can register to work for in Australia. Most can be broken down into the following categories. The good thing about iDlvr? We cover many of these categories, which is great for those delivery drivers looking to make more deliveries and earn more.
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Food delivery apps
Food delivery apps are a convenient way for customers to order restaurant-quality food and have it delivered to their door. Many drivers accept work through these apps as they are popular, typically provide a consistent flow of orders and are easy to use. However, many of these apps often have complex payment models - and it can be challenging to earn a competitive hourly rate once you factor in the cost of fuel and insurance.
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Packages and courier services
Packages and courier services are ideal for delivery drivers who need variety in their workday. You will typically be handling fragile, valuable or sensitive items - which offers a great opportunity for those looking to develop their skills in this area. However, these services are often more physically demanding than other delivery services, with larger orders or bulky items.
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Grocery delivery apps
Grocery delivery apps often provide a reliable and consistent flow of work, leading to more earning opportunities. Drivers that accept work through these platforms also enjoy flexible working hours and often enjoy extra incentives for providing high-quality service. Much like courier services, however, you are usually required to handle physically demanding orders. Issues with store order fulfilment can also impact customer satisfaction and pose a challenge to you as a result.
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Rideshare apps
Much like food delivery apps, rideshare platforms offer convenience and flexibility. Drivers can work on their own schedule, which helps those seeking part-time or supplementary income. The cashless payment system and built-in navigation tools also make the entire process seamless and efficient for drivers and passengers. But like food delivery apps, these platforms often have complex payment models - making it hard to earn a competitive hourly rate once you factor in ongoing vehicle costs.
Conclusion
Now you know what it means to be a delivery driver and understand everything you need to get started. This is the time to choose a delivery service that allows you to choose your own hours, work autonomously as your own boss, and enjoy unlimited earning potential.
iDlvr is Australia’s first on-demand delivery service. We enable delivery drivers to earn based on the distance they travel while enjoying flexible working conditions and unlimited earning potential.
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Become an iDlvr-er
Want to kickstart a new career as a delivery driver? We’d love to have you onboard - download the iDlvr app and register today!
