Road Transport Award Pay Rates by Level
Adult minimum rates for full-time and part-time employees under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees at their classification — the difference is hours, not rate. The casual column adds the 25% loading (cl 11.2).
| Classification level | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Worker Grade 1 | $1,021.00 | $26.87 | $33.59 |
| Transport Worker Grade 2 | $1,045.50 | $27.51 | $34.39 |
| Transport Worker Grade 3 | $1,057.60 | $27.83 | $34.79 |
| Transport Worker Grade 4 | $1,076.20 | $28.32 | $35.40 |
| Transport Worker Grade 5 | $1,089.60 | $28.67 | $35.84 |
| Transport Worker Grade 6 | $1,102.00 | $29.00 | $36.25 |
| Transport Worker Grade 7 | $1,118.00 | $29.42 | $36.78 |
| Transport Worker Grade 8 | $1,150.50 | $30.28 | $37.85 |
| Transport Worker Grade 9 | $1,169.70 | $30.78 | $38.48 |
| Transport Worker Grade 10 | $1,198.80 | $31.55 | $39.44 |
| Distribution facility employee level 1 | $1,057.60 | $27.83 | $34.79 |
| Distribution facility employee level 2 | $1,076.20 | $28.32 | $35.40 |
| Distribution facility employee level 3 | $1,118.00 | $29.42 | $36.78 |
| Distribution facility employee level 4 | $1,169.70 | $30.78 | $38.48 |
Weekly rates are the award’s minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee (cl 17.1); hourly is the weekly rate divided by 38.
Which level am I?
- Grade 1: General hand (greaser and cleaner, yardperson, vehicle washer, driver's or furniture remover's assistant), loader other than freight forwarder, foot or bicycle courier.
- Grade 2: Driver of a rigid vehicle (including a motorcycle) up to 4.5 tonnes GVM; tow motor driver; freight forwarder loader.
- Grade 3: Forklift driver up to 5 tonnes; driver of a two-axle rigid vehicle over 4.5 and up to 13.9 tonnes GVM; concrete mixer up to 2 cubic metres.
- Grade 4: Driver of a three-axle rigid vehicle over 13.9 tonnes GVM; forklift over 5 and up to 10 tonnes; weighbridge attendant; crane chaser/dogger.
- Grade 5: Driver of a rigid vehicle with 4 or more axles over 13.9 tonnes GVM, or an articulated vehicle or rigid-and-trailer combination with three axles up to 22.4 tonnes GCM; forklift over 10 and up to 34 tonnes.
- Grade 6: Driver of an articulated vehicle (semi-trailer) or rigid-and-trailer combination with more than three axles over 22.4 tonnes GCM; low loader up to 43 tonnes; mobile crane up to 25 tonnes; transport rigger.
- Grade 7: Driver of a double articulated vehicle, including B-doubles, up to 53.4 tonnes GCM; low loader over 43 tonnes.
- Grade 8: Driver of a double articulated vehicle or rigid vehicle and trailers over 53.4 tonnes GCM, including B-doubles; mobile crane over 25 and up to 50 tonnes.
- Grades 9 and 10: Combinations over 94 tonnes GCM, mobile cranes over 50 tonnes and gantry cranes (Grade 9); multi-axle platform trailing equipment over 70 tonnes (Grade 10).
- Distribution facility employees: Levels 1 to 4 are paid the same as Transport Worker Grades 3, 4, 7 and 9 (Schedule B).
Casual overtime drops the 25% loading — and junior rates run off the hourly rate
A casual on overtime is not paid the 25% loading. They get the overtime rate plus 10% of the minimum hourly rate: 160% for the first 2 hours and 210% after ($42.99 and $56.43 at Grade 1). Full-time day workers are paid public holiday rates on top of their weekly wage. And a junior aged 18 or over driving a vehicle alone must be paid the adult rate for that driving grade.
Road Transport Award Pay Guide 2026-27: Every Level, Every Day
The hourly rate for each classification at each penalty band, in the layout of the Fair Work pay guide. Find your level, then the day you worked.
Full-time and part-time
| Classification | Ordinary hours100% | Afternoon shift117.5% | Night shift130% | Saturday150% | Sunday200% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Worker Grade 1 | $26.87 | $31.57 | $34.93 | $40.31 | $53.74 |
| Transport Worker Grade 2 | $27.51 | $32.32 | $35.76 | $41.27 | $55.02 |
| Transport Worker Grade 3 | $27.83 | $32.70 | $36.18 | $41.75 | $55.66 |
| Transport Worker Grade 4 | $28.32 | $33.28 | $36.82 | $42.48 | $56.64 |
| Transport Worker Grade 5 | $28.67 | $33.69 | $37.27 | $43.01 | $57.34 |
| Transport Worker Grade 6 | $29.00 | $34.08 | $37.70 | $43.50 | $58.00 |
| Transport Worker Grade 7 | $29.42 | $34.57 | $38.25 | $44.13 | $58.84 |
| Transport Worker Grade 8 | $30.28 | $35.58 | $39.36 | $45.42 | $60.56 |
| Transport Worker Grade 9 | $30.78 | $36.17 | $40.01 | $46.17 | $61.56 |
| Transport Worker Grade 10 | $31.55 | $37.07 | $41.02 | $47.33 | $63.10 |
| Distribution facility employee level 1 | $27.83 | $32.70 | $36.18 | $41.75 | $55.66 |
| Distribution facility employee level 2 | $28.32 | $33.28 | $36.82 | $42.48 | $56.64 |
| Distribution facility employee level 3 | $29.42 | $34.57 | $38.25 | $44.13 | $58.84 |
| Distribution facility employee level 4 | $30.78 | $36.17 | $40.01 | $46.17 | $61.56 |
Casual
| Classification | Ordinary hours125% | Afternoon shift142.5% | Night shift155% | Saturday175% | Sunday225% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Worker Grade 1 | $33.59 | $38.29 | $41.65 | $47.02 | $60.46 |
| Transport Worker Grade 2 | $34.39 | $39.20 | $42.64 | $48.14 | $61.90 |
| Transport Worker Grade 3 | $34.79 | $39.66 | $43.14 | $48.70 | $62.62 |
| Transport Worker Grade 4 | $35.40 | $40.36 | $43.90 | $49.56 | $63.72 |
| Transport Worker Grade 5 | $35.84 | $40.85 | $44.44 | $50.17 | $64.51 |
| Transport Worker Grade 6 | $36.25 | $41.33 | $44.95 | $50.75 | $65.25 |
| Transport Worker Grade 7 | $36.78 | $41.92 | $45.60 | $51.49 | $66.20 |
| Transport Worker Grade 8 | $37.85 | $43.15 | $46.93 | $52.99 | $68.13 |
| Transport Worker Grade 9 | $38.48 | $43.86 | $47.71 | $53.87 | $69.26 |
| Transport Worker Grade 10 | $39.44 | $44.96 | $48.90 | $55.21 | $70.99 |
| Distribution facility employee level 1 | $34.79 | $39.66 | $43.14 | $48.70 | $62.62 |
| Distribution facility employee level 2 | $35.40 | $40.36 | $43.90 | $49.56 | $63.72 |
| Distribution facility employee level 3 | $36.78 | $41.92 | $45.60 | $51.49 | $66.20 |
| Distribution facility employee level 4 | $38.48 | $43.86 | $47.71 | $53.87 | $69.26 |
Casual figures are the award's casual percentages, which already include the 25% loading where it applies. Figures are rounded to the cent. A dash means the column does not apply to that classification.
Road Transport Award Penalty Rates
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Transport Worker Grade 1 | Casual | $ casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon shift — finishing after 6.30 pm and by 12.30 am (shiftworkers) | 117.5% | $31.57 | 142.5% | $38.29 |
| Night shift — finishing after 12.30 am and by 8.30 am (shiftworkers) | 130% | $34.93 | 155% | $41.65 |
| Non-continuous afternoon or night shift — first 3 hours | 150% | $40.31 | 175% | $47.02 |
| Non-continuous afternoon or night shift — after 3 hours | 200% | $53.74 | 225% | $60.46 |
| Saturday | 150% | $40.31 | 175% | $47.02 |
| Sunday | 200% | $53.74 | 225% | $60.46 |
| Public holiday — shiftworkersPublic holiday pay calculator & dates by state → | 250% | $67.18 | 275% | $73.89 |
| Public holiday — day workers (other than Good Friday and Christmas Day)For full-time and part-time day workers the 150% is paid in addition to the weekly wage (cl 23.2(b)) — effectively 250% for the hours worked. Casuals get 250% plus the 25% loading (cl 23.2(e)). | 150% | $40.31 | 275% | $73.89 |
| Public holiday — day workers, Good Friday and Christmas DayAgain paid in addition to the weekly wage for full-time and part-time day workers. Casuals get 300% plus the 25% loading. | 200% | $53.74 | 325% | $87.33 |
Source: cl 22.3, 22.8, 22.10, 23 and Schedule C.
Day workers' ordinary hours are Monday to Friday between 5.30 am and 6.30 pm; ordinary hours on a weekend need an agreement (cl 13.4, 13.6). Anyone required to work on a Saturday or Sunday is paid for at least 4 hours (cl 23.1(c)).
For shiftworkers, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday rates replace the shift rate (cl 22.8(b)). An afternoon or night shift roster that does not run for at least 5 consecutive shifts is paid at 150% for 3 hours and 200% after that (cl 22.10).
Newspaper, meat, live poultry and fish, fruit or vegetable store drivers starting ordinary hours between 12.01 am and 6.00 am on a weekday are paid 130% (casuals 155%) for those hours (Schedule C.2.1 and C.4.1).
Road Transport Award Overtime Rates
| Overtime worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Transport Worker Grade 1 | Casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overtime — first 2 hours | 150% | $40.31 | 160% · $42.99 |
| Overtime — after 2 hours | 200% | $53.74 | 210% · $56.43 |
| Public holiday overtime (other than Good Friday and Christmas Day) | 250% | $67.18 | – |
| Good Friday and Christmas Day overtime | 300% | $80.61 | – |
Source: cl 21.1, 11.4 and Schedule C.
A casual on overtime does not get the 25% casual loading. Instead they get the overtime rate plus 10% of the minimum hourly rate — 160% and 210% (cl 11.4 and its example).
Each day's overtime stands alone (cl 21.2), and an employee called back after leaving work is paid for at least 4 hours (cl 21.6).
Road Transport Award Junior Rates
Junior rates are a percentage of the adult rate for the classification (cl 17.3(a)), and apply to every classification, except that a junior aged 18 or over who drives a vehicle in sole charge must be paid the adult rate for that class of driving (cl 17.3(b)). This award applies the percentage to the adult hourly rate, so the dollar columns are the percentage of Transport Worker Grade 1 ($26.87 an hour). The full adult rate applies from age 20.
| Age | % of adult rate | Weekly on Transport Worker Grade 1 | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 19 | 70% | $714.78 | $18.81 | $23.51 |
| 19 | 80% | $817.00 | $21.50 | $26.88 |
| 20 and over | 100% | $1,021.00 | $26.87 | $33.59 |
For how junior scales compare across awards and against the National Minimum Wage, see our junior pay rates guide.
Road Transport Award Allowances
Fixed-dollar allowances in cl 19, operative from 1 July 2026. Each is paid only where the clause’s conditions are met.
| Allowance | Amount | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Leading hand — in charge of 3 to 10 employees | $49.92 per week | cl 19.3(c) |
| Leading hand — in charge of 11 to 20 employees | $74.35 per week | cl 19.3(c) |
| Leading hand — in charge of more than 20 employees | $94.44 per week | cl 19.3(c) |
| Driving an over-length or over-width vehicle, or one with a truck loading or side-lifter crane | $4.86 per day | cl 19.3(d)(i)–(iv) |
| Bulk dangerous goods or explosives by public road | $25.07 per day | cl 19.3(f)(i) |
| Packaged dangerous goods requiring placards | $10.47 per day | cl 19.3(f)(ii) |
| First aid allowance | $16.92 per week | cl 19.3(g) |
| Travelling allowance (unable to return home at night)At least this amount for personal expenses reasonably incurred. | $41.03 per day | cl 19.5(a) |
| Meal allowance (overtime of 2 continuous hours or more)Also payable when starting 2 hours or more before the normal start time (cl 19.5(f)(ii)). | $21.15 per meal | cl 19.5(f)(i) |
| Dirty material allowance | $0.63 per hour | cl 19.3(d)(xii) |
Minimum Shifts and Hours
- Casuals are paid for at least 4 hours each engagement (cl 11.3).
- Ordinary hours are at most 8 a day, worked continuously except for meal and fatigue breaks (cl 13.5), between 5.30 am and 6.30 pm — movable by an hour at each end by agreement (cl 13.6).
What does a road transport award rate take home?
Working a mix of shifts? Enter your hours in the weekly pay calculator, or turn a salary into net pay with the take-home pay calculator.
What This Page Does Not Cover
These parts of the award carry rules or rates we have not verified line by line, so we publish no figures for them:
- Oil distribution workers (cl 14 and 17.2), whose 35-hour week gives different hourly rates for the same weekly wage
- Casual overtime on public holidays
- Special vehicle all-purpose allowances (cl 19.3(b)), money-handling allowances (cl 19.3(e)) and the other miscellaneous allowances in cl 19.3(d)
- National Training Wage (Schedule E of the Miscellaneous Award) trainee rates
An enterprise agreement, if one covers your workplace, replaces these award rates — though it must leave you better off overall.
When These Rates Took Effect
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. If your pay period began before 1 July 2026, the previous rate lawfully applies to that whole period and the rise starts with the next one. The award was varied by determination PR799318 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If you have been paid below these rates, our backpay calculator works out what is owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Road Transport Award questions and answers
What are the road transport award pay rates for 2026-27?
Under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038), adult minimum rates run from $26.87 an hour ($1,021.00 a week) for Transport Worker Grade 1 to $31.55 an hour ($1,198.80 a week) for Transport Worker Grade 10. They apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
What is the casual rate under the Road Transport Award?
Casuals receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate, so Transport Worker Grade 1 becomes $33.59 an hour. Casual penalty rates add the loading rather than multiplying by it — the casual column in the award is the permanent percentage plus 25 percentage points, except public holiday — day workers (other than Good Friday and Christmas Day) (casual 275%) and public holiday — day workers, Good Friday and Christmas Day (casual 325%).
What allowances are paid under the Road Transport Award?
The award's allowances clause (cl 19) includes: leading hand — in charge of 3 to 10 employees $49.92 per week; leading hand — in charge of 11 to 20 employees $74.35 per week; leading hand — in charge of more than 20 employees $94.44 per week; driving an over-length or over-width vehicle, or one with a truck loading or side-lifter crane $4.86 per day; bulk dangerous goods or explosives by public road $25.07 per day. Allowances are paid on top of the classification rate when the employee meets the clause's conditions.
What are the junior rates under the Road Transport Award?
Junior rates are a percentage of the adult hourly rate for the classification (cl 17.3(a)): Under 19 70%, 19 80%. The full adult rate applies from age 20. They apply to every classification, except that a junior aged 18 or over who drives a vehicle in sole charge must be paid the adult rate for that class of driving (cl 17.3(b)).
When did the new road transport award rates start?
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. The MA000038 rates were varied by determination PR799318 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If your pay period started before 1 July 2026, the old rate lawfully applies to that whole period.
How much does a truck driver earn under the award?
It depends on the vehicle. A rigid truck up to 4.5 tonnes is Grade 2 ($27.51 an hour); a two-axle rigid up to 13.9 tonnes Grade 3 ($27.83); a three-axle rigid Grade 4 ($28.32); a semi-trailer over 22.4 tonnes Grade 6 ($29.00); a B-double up to 53.4 tonnes Grade 7 ($29.42); and heavier combinations Grades 8 to 10 (up to $31.55). Full-time, Grade 6 is $1,102.00 a week.
What are the road transport award shift rates?
Shiftworkers are paid 117.5% on an afternoon shift (finishing after 6.30 pm and by 12.30 am) and 130% on a night shift (finishing after 12.30 am and by 8.30 am); casuals get 142.5% and 155%. At Grade 6 that is $34.08 and $37.70 an hour full-time. A shift roster that does not run for at least 5 consecutive afternoons or nights is paid 150% for the first 3 hours and 200% after.
What is the minimum engagement for a casual truck driver?
A casual must be paid for at least 4 hours each engagement, and anyone required to work on a Saturday or Sunday is paid for at least 4 hours.
Is there a dangerous goods allowance?
Yes. A driver carrying bulk dangerous goods or explosives by public road is paid $25.07 a day, and one carrying packaged dangerous goods that require placards $10.47 a day. The employer must also reimburse training and medical costs for a dangerous goods licence.
How these rates were verified▼
Every figure comes from one constants file transcribed on 23 September 2026 from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated MA000038 award text, which incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 July 2026 (PR799280, PR799318 and PR799475). Clause numbers are cited against each table. Hourly is the published weekly rate divided by 38; derived dollar figures are rounded half up to the cent.
Automated tests pin the published rates, check every hourly rate against its weekly rate, and assert the rules this award is most often modelled wrongly on — including that casual penalties add the loading rather than multiplying by it. Parts of the award we have not verified are listed as gaps rather than estimated.
Sources & References
- 1Consolidated award text — Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038)— Fair Work Commission
- 2Award summary and pay guide — MA000038— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Annual Wage Review 2026— Fair Work Commission
Last verified: 23 September 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
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Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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