Freight forwarding is a vital part of Australia’s import and export landscape. As global trade continues to expand, the demand for skilled logistics professionals—particularly freight forwarding operators and operations managers—continues to grow.
Whether you’re exploring a career in logistics or looking to hire, understanding current salary benchmarks is essential. This article provides updated insights into the average salaries for freight forwarding roles in Australia. We will also see how adding a freight forwarding assistant, even online, can make operations smoother and save money.
What Does a Freight Forwarding Operator Do?
A freight forwarding operator is responsible for coordinating the shipment of goods from origin to destination. This includes booking cargo space, preparing necessary documentation, liaising with clients and customs authorities, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Coordinating sea, air, and land freight
- Arranging documentation such as bills of lading and customs declarations
- Communicating with shippers, clients, and overseas agents
- Monitoring shipments and resolving delays or issues
- Cost estimation and invoicing
Many businesses now hire freight forwarding assistants from virtual staffing agencies like 24×7 Direct. This helps them get professional support at a lower cost.
Freight Assistant Manager Jobs
A Freight Assistant Manager helps the freight or logistics manager. They make sure departments work well together and handle shipments efficiently. This role is perfect for professionals with some experience in logistics or freight coordination. For those ready to take on a leadership position.
📌 Key Responsibilities:
- Supervising a team of freight coordinators or operators
- Coordinating with customs and clearance officers
- Managing logistics software and reporting systems
- Handling escalated shipping issues
- Assisting with process improvements and operational strategy
💼 Average Salary:
- $80,000 – $95,000 AUD/year
- Higher salaries may be seen in industries such as pharma, mining, and international trade
The need for freight assistant managers is growing as companies expand their logistics operations. Companies often hire virtual support staff to lessen the administrative work for on-site teams.
Operations Manager Freight Forwarding Jobs (with Salaries)
An Operations Manager in Freight Forwarding manages daily logistics tasks. They make sure all shipments move smoothly through the supply chain. This senior-level role requires both technical and expertise.
📌 Key Responsibilities:
- Leading cross-functional logistics teams
- Developing and implementing freight strategies
- Ensuring compliance with national and international regulations
- Budgeting and cost optimization
- Overseeing warehousing, fleet coordination, and 3PL providers
💼 Average Salary:
- $110,000 – $135,000 AUD/year, depending on company scale and freight volume
- Experienced operations managers in major ports (e.g., Sydney or Brisbane) may earn $140,000+
Many companies now hire virtual assistants to help operations managers. They assist with documentation, tracking performance, and communication tasks. This reduces costs while keeping productivity high.
Branch Manager (Freight Forwarding)
A Branch Manager in freight forwarding leads the overall performance of a freight forwarding office or regional branch. This role is not only operational but also strategic and client-facing.
📌 Key Responsibilities:
- Overseeing sales, operations, and customer service departments
- Developing branch-level business strategies
- Managing high-value client relationships
- Meeting profit, performance, and compliance targets
- Hiring, training, and mentoring team members
💼 Branch Manager Salary:
- $120,000 – $150,000 AUD/year, with bonuses and profit-sharing common in high-performing offices
For branch managers, efficiency is everything. Many people use remote support, like a freight forwarding virtual assistant, to handle repetitive tasks. These tasks include scheduling, reporting, CRM updates, and preparing quotes.
Why Consider Hiring a Freight Forwarding Assistant?
As labor costs keep rising in Australia and global shipping gets more complicated, many logistics businesses are outsourcing. Hiring a freight forwarding assistant can make operations smoother. Using a trusted virtual staffing provider like 24×7 Direct can lower costs and improve efficiency.
✅ Key Benefits:
- Reduced overhead costs
- Faster document turnaround and communication
- 24/7 availability (ideal for international coordination)
- Scalable staffing without long-term contracts
- Skilled professionals familiar with freight software (e.g., Cargowise, SAP)
You can hire virtual assistants for roles such as:
- Freight quote preparation
- Shipment tracking
- Customer updates
- Data entry and reporting
- Customs and documentation support
Trends in Freight Forwarding Salaries & Hiring
The logistics industry continues to evolve rapidly, and with it, compensation expectations. Companies are focusing more on hiring candidates who are good with technology. They want people who know about freight systems, automation tools, and remote collaboration platforms.
📈 Notable Trends:
- Growing demand for remote logistics assistants
- Increased salaries in urban freight hubs
- Automation and AI reshaping admin-heavy roles
- Hybrid models combining local teams with offshore support
Outsourcing is not just about saving money anymore. Outsourcing also about being quick, competitive, and ready for changes in the global market.
For companies looking to streamline operations without sacrificing service quality, outsourcing remains an ideal solution. Hiring a freight forwarding virtual assistant can save time. This allows your main team to focus on important tasks.
✅ Ready to Boost Your Freight Operations?
24×7 Direct helps logistics companies hire experienced virtual assistants for freight forwarding, supply chain, and logistics support roles. Save time, cut costs, and improve efficiency with our tailored offshore staffing solutions.
👉 Book your consultation today and learn how we can support your freight operations with skilled, reliable virtual staff.
