Introducing Driven Women
An initiative by CDC Victoria to increase, support and retain our female workforce by offering learning, training, development, and employment across all roles, including drivers, mechanics, operations, administration, or management roles
The Commitment
CDC commits to delivering a minimum 10% increase in female employees annually
The Components
Driven Women Explore
We host Info Days from time to time to help you explore our program in person and ask any questions that will help you make a decision. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for our next Info Day details.
Driven Women Learn
Once onboard, learn the nuances of the bus industry and bus driving from highly skilled, experienced, and accredited trainers
Driven Women Network
Complete the program successfully and join the workforce at CDC Victoria and network with other women to get peer support and a platform to share your views, and ideas
Driven Women Plan
This is where your insights and ideas help to build our action plan as we continue to review ways to retain females in our workforce and to make the bus industry more female-friendly.
Women can do anything. At CDC Victoria that’s not just a statement, it’s a fact.
We are looking for Driven Women to join our business. Confident, independent women who are willing to give a career in transport a go.
We’re not just talking about behind-the-scenes jobs that women have traditionally done in the transport industry. Sure, at CDC Victoria we have strong female participation in management and office-based roles, but we also have female mechanics, drivers, operations staff and more. But here’s the thing, we want more.
CDC Victoria’s business is linking people, places, and communities. We pride ourselves in helping people get to where they need to be, and we might have an opportunity for you.
For the right candidate we can offer the chance to learn and grow. A career at CDC Victoria comes with a very competitive salary, good job security and a supportive workplace culture. Our depots are clean and modern with facilities like personal lockers, recreation spaces, prayer rooms and quiet places, and conditions of employment that respects the things that are important to women, such as paid parental and domestic violence leave.
But what about the shift work? Well yes, our route buses must run in the early morning and late evening, 365 days a year. But with weekend and public holiday shifts comes great pay, so you can rest assured you’ll always be compensated for your efforts.
That said, flexible work opportunities do come up from time to time including part time and casual roles if that suits your lifestyle better. All our drivers are paid above the industry award, and you can expect to get paid significantly more than industries like retail or hospitality.
Isn’t it difficult to drive a bus? Well yes and no. We believe that anyone can learn to drive a bus, but we aren’t saying it is going to be easy. All buses are airconditioned, have power steering and automatic gearboxes, so it isn’t physical strength that makes a good bus driver. Good bus drivers are careful, observant, alert and above all display excellence in customer service. If that sounds like you, we want to talk.
At CDC Victoria we aim to break down gender barriers for employment in the transport industry by growing female participation in our workforce. CDC Victoria has committed to significantly increase its number of female employees as part of a broader strategy led by the Department of Transport’s Women in Transport program. We have invested in initiatives to support women in our workplace, and are proud partners of the Transport Workers Union’s Women’s Advocacy Program and Tradeswomen Australia initiatives.
And now we’d like to invest in you. Stay tuned to this page if you’d like further information about our Driven Women program initiatives.
We believe women can do anything at CDC Victoria. That’s a fact.
Visit Our Frequently Asked Questions or Just Contact Us!
What does the recruitment process involve?
- You will need to apply for the program using the application form. Please note your depot preference. For a copy of the form, please email .
- Your preferred depot’s Service Delivery Manager (SDM) will arrange an interview with you.
- If successful, you will go on to complete a driving assessment with a Trainer/Assessor and a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) test.
- Final stage will involve a pre-employment medical assessment and a police check.
What are the entry requirements for the program?
- Ability to work a variety of shifts including early mornings, days, nights and weekends.
- Able to commit to four weeks of full-time training (8 am to 4 pm).
- Candidates will require a driver’s accreditation to participate in the program. To apply for the driver’s accreditation, please follow the instructions listed on the CPVV website.
- A valid employee Working with Children Check.
- A valid full Australian Driver’s Licence.
- A satisfactory driver history report (including demerit point history and full driving record).
- Excellent customer service skills and enjoy working with the public.
- Be able to pass a pre-employment medical assessment.
- Two Covid vaccinations.
- Australian work rights.
Can I pick my own shifts?
- Bus Drivers work on rotating shift rosters which span between 4:30 am and 1:30 am.
- These shifts change from week to week.
- The only exception to this is charter services, however, these are not always available for new employees.
Will I drive the same bus or route each day?
Like rotating shift rosters, Drivers will work on rotating shift rosters and drive different routes and buses depending on their shifts.
Do I need an MR licence to apply?
Part of the Driven Women program will focus on getting you tested and accredited as an MR Driver.
What is the hourly rate for a Bus Driver?
Between Jan 2023 to July 1, 2023, Bus Drivers earn $33.22, with a starting Trainee Rate of $26.72 per hour (plus super). These rates increase every six months in line with the 2022-2025 CDC Victoria Bus Driver Enterprise Agreement.
How many hours will I work per week?
Full time Bus Drivers generally work an average of 42 hours per week with overtime built into their rosters. These are average hours and may vary slightly by the depot.
Can I work at different depots?
Drivers are employed in a single depot, but you can request to transfer to a different depot anywhere in Australia after 12 months of service.
What if I already have a heavy vehicle licence?
We also run a Lite version of the Driven Women program which involves one week of intensive driver training with our skilled Trainer/Assessors to provide you with the confidence to drive a bus.
What does the program look like?
The following table summarises what we cover during the four-week training program.
What happens after I complete the training program?
You will have the opportunity to undertake 8 weeks of mentoring with a Mentor Driver to familiarise yourself with local routes. At the conclusion of these 8 weeks, a Trainer/Assessor will review your progress and if suitable to progress, they will sign you off to drive solo.
What happens if I’m unable to commit to working after the completion of training?
You would need to discuss your situation with your manager, however, in some cases, you may be required to repay the cost incurred by the company for your MR licence.
What happens if I am not successful in undertaking the licence assessment?
In the event that you undertake the licence assessment and are not successful, you may have an opportunity to undertake a reset. If you are still not able to obtain successful completion, then CDC will not be able to extend an offer of ongoing employment beyond the training period.
