Road Transport and Distribution Award pay rates
Award code MA000038, with rates in force from 1 July 2026.
Minimum pay for 24 adult classifications under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, from 1 July 2026: $26.87 to $34.25 an hour before tax. Casuals get a 25% loading on top.
Lowest adult rate
$26.87an hour
For Transport Worker Grade 1. $1,021.00 for a full-time week. Up 4.76% from $25.65. Casuals get $33.59 an hour, with the 25% loading.
Its lowest adult rate is $26.87 an hour, 1.6% above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 44 have a higher minimum. The dashed line is the minimum wage; each tick is another award.
Pay by classification
Dollars an hour, from 1 July 2026- Transport Worker Grade 1$26.87
- Transport Worker Grade 2$27.51
- Transport Worker Grade 3$27.83
- Transport Worker Grade 4$28.32
- Transport Worker Grade 5$28.67
- Transport Worker Grade 6$29.00
- Transport Worker Grade 7$29.42
- Transport Worker Grade 8$30.28
- Transport Worker Grade 9$30.78
- Transport Worker Grade 10$31.55
- Distribution facility employee level 1$27.83
- Distribution facility employee level 2$28.32
- Distribution facility employee level 3$29.42
- Distribution facility employee level 4$30.78
- Transport Worker Grade 1$29.17
- Transport Worker Grade 2$29.87
- Transport Worker Grade 3$30.22
- Transport Worker Grade 4$30.75
- Transport Worker Grade 5$31.13
- Transport Worker Grade 6$31.49
- Transport Worker Grade 7$31.94
- Transport Worker Grade 8$32.87
- Transport Worker Grade 9$33.42
- Transport Worker Grade 10$34.25
Hover or tap a row for last year's rate. Every rate, in every unit, is in the tables below.
Penalty rates at a glance
Percent of the ordinary rate, and dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1.
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$26.87 |
| Early morning | 130%$34.93 |
| Public holiday - Any other public holiday | 150%$40.31 |
| Saturday | 150%$40.31 |
| Public holiday - Good Friday & Christmas Day | 200%$53.74 |
| Sunday | 200%$53.74 |
Minimum pay by classification from 1 July 2026
Weekly rates are for a full-time week; hourly rates apply to full-time and part-time hours. Casual hourly adds the 25% loading.
Transport employeesClause 17.1(a)
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 employeesClause 17.1(b)
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Oil distribution workersClause 17.2
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Worker Grade 1 | $1,021.00 | $29.17 | $36.46 |
| Transport Worker Grade 2 | $1,045.50 | $29.87 | $37.34 |
| Transport Worker Grade 3 | $1,057.60 | $30.22 | $37.78 |
| Transport Worker Grade 4 | $1,076.20 | $30.75 | $38.44 |
| Transport Worker Grade 5 | $1,089.60 | $31.13 | $38.91 |
| Transport Worker Grade 6 | $1,102.00 | $31.49 | $39.36 |
| Transport Worker Grade 7 | $1,118.00 | $31.94 | $39.93 |
| Transport Worker Grade 8 | $1,150.50 | $32.87 | $41.09 |
| Transport Worker Grade 9 | $1,169.70 | $33.42 | $41.78 |
| Transport Worker Grade 10 | $1,198.80 | $34.25 | $42.81 |
Penalty and overtime rates
Percentages as the award sets them, and what they come to an hour at the first adult level. Higher classifications get the same percentages of their own rate. The tick on each bar marks 100%, the ordinary rate.
Evenings, weekends and public holidays
Full-time and part-time distribution facility employees: other than shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Distribution facility employee level 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$27.83 |
| Public holiday - Any other public holiday | 150%$41.75 |
| Saturday | 150%$41.75 |
| Public holiday - Good Friday & Christmas Day | 200%$55.66 |
| Sunday | 200%$55.66 |
Full-time and part-time oil distribution employees: other than shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$29.17 |
| Public holiday - Any other public holiday | 150%$43.76 |
| Saturday | 150%$43.76 |
| Public holiday - Good Friday & Christmas Day | 200%$58.34 |
| Sunday | 200%$58.34 |
Full-time and part-time transport employees: other than shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$26.87 |
| Early morning | 130%$34.93 |
| Public holiday - Any other public holiday | 150%$40.31 |
| Saturday | 150%$40.31 |
| Public holiday - Good Friday & Christmas Day | 200%$53.74 |
| Sunday | 200%$53.74 |
Casual distribution facility employees: other than shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Distribution facility employee level 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$34.79 |
| Saturday | 175%$48.70 |
| Sunday | 225%$62.62 |
| Public holiday - Any other public holiday | 275%$76.53 |
| Public holiday - Good Friday & Christmas Day | 325%$90.45 |
Casual oil distribution employees: other than shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$36.46 |
| Saturday | 175%$51.05 |
| Sunday | 225%$65.63 |
| Public holiday - Any other public holiday | 275%$80.22 |
| Public holiday - Good Friday & Christmas Day | 325%$94.80 |
Casual transport employees: other than shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$33.59 |
| Early morning | 155%$41.65 |
| Saturday | 175%$47.02 |
| Sunday | 225%$60.46 |
| Public holiday - Any other public holiday | 275%$73.89 |
| Public holiday - Good Friday & Christmas Day | 325%$87.33 |
Shiftwork
Distribution facility employees: shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Distribution facility employee level 1
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Day | 100%$27.83 | 125%$34.79 |
| Afternoon | 117.5%$32.70 | 142.5%$39.66 |
| Night | 130%$36.18 | 155%$43.14 |
| Non continuous afternoon or night - First 3 hours | 150%$41.75 | 175%$48.70 |
| Saturday | 150%$41.75 | 175%$48.70 |
| Non continuous afternoon or night - After 3 hours | 200%$55.66 | 225%$62.62 |
| Sunday | 200%$55.66 | 225%$62.62 |
| Public holiday | 250%$69.58 | 275%$76.53 |
Oil distribution employees: shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Day | 100%$29.17 | 125%$36.46 |
| Afternoon | 117.5%$34.27 | 142.5%$41.57 |
| Night | 130%$37.92 | 155%$45.21 |
| Non continuous afternoon or night - First 3 hours | 150%$43.76 | 175%$51.05 |
| Saturday | 150%$43.76 | 175%$51.05 |
| Non continuous afternoon or night - After 3 hours | 200%$58.34 | 225%$65.63 |
| Sunday | 200%$58.34 | 225%$65.63 |
| Public holiday | 250%$72.93 | 275%$80.22 |
Transport employees: shiftworkers, ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Day | 100%$26.87 | 125%$33.59 |
| Afternoon | 117.5%$31.57 | 142.5%$38.29 |
| Night | 130%$34.93 | 155%$41.65 |
| Non continuous afternoon or night - First 3 hours | 150%$40.31 | 175%$47.02 |
| Saturday | 150%$40.31 | 175%$47.02 |
| Non continuous afternoon or night - After 3 hours | 200%$53.74 | 225%$60.46 |
| Sunday | 200%$53.74 | 225%$60.46 |
| Public holiday | 250%$67.18 | 275%$73.89 |
Overtime
Full-time and part-time distribution facility employees: other than shiftworkers, overtime
Dollars an hour at Distribution facility employee level 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 150%$41.75 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 200%$55.66 |
| Public Holiday | 250%$69.58 |
| Good Friday & Christmas Day | 300%$83.49 |
Full-time and part-time distribution facility employees: shiftworkers, overtime
Dollars an hour at Distribution facility employee level 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 150%$41.75 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 200%$55.66 |
Full-time and part-time oil distribution employees: other than shiftworkers, overtime
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 150%$43.76 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 200%$58.34 |
| Public Holiday | 250%$72.93 |
| Good Friday & Christmas Day | 300%$87.51 |
Full-time and part-time oil distribution employees: shiftworkers, overtime
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 150%$43.76 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 200%$58.34 |
Full-time and part-time transport employees: other than shiftworkers, overtime
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 150%$40.31 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 200%$53.74 |
| Public Holiday | 250%$67.18 |
| Good Friday & Christmas Day | 300%$80.61 |
Transport employees: shiftworkers, overtime
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 150%$40.31 | 160%$42.99 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 200%$53.74 | 210%$56.43 |
Casual distribution employees: overtime
Dollars an hour at Distribution facility employee level 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 160%$44.53 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 210%$58.44 |
Casual oil distribution facility employees: overtime
Dollars an hour at Transport Worker Grade 1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overtime - First 2 hours | 160%$46.67 |
| Overtime - After 2 hours | 210%$61.26 |
Allowances paid on top
32 allowances are for the work itself, paid when the job calls for it, and 3 cover costs you'd otherwise pay yourself, like meals, laundry or travel. The amounts are the Commission's, in force today; the award sets out exactly who gets each one and when.
For the work
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver of low loader with GCM over 43 tonnes, for each extra tonneCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 19.3(b)(i) | $1.90 a week | |
| Driver of multi-axle platform trailing equipment with carrying capacity in excess of 100 tonnes | ||
| For each extra 10 tonnes between 200 and 300 tonnesCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 19.3(b)(ii) | $21.58 a week | |
| For each extra 10 tonnes in excess of 100 tonnes and up to 150 tonnesCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 19.3(b)(ii) | $23.06 a week | |
| For each extra 10 tonnes in excess of 150 tonnes and up to 200 tonnesCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 19.3(b)(ii) | $22.10 a week | |
| Leading hand (except leading loader) in charge of | ||
| 11 to 20 employeesClause 19.3(c) | $74.35 a week | |
| 3 to 10 employeesClause 19.3(c) | $49.92 a week | |
| More than 20 employeesClause 19.3(c) | $94.44 a week | |
| Motor vehicle | ||
| Length in excess of legislated limitClause 19.3(d)(i) | $4.86 a day | |
| Truck loading crane mounted on vehicleClause 19.3(d)(ii) | $4.86 a day | |
| Side-lifter crane mounted on vehicleClause 19.3(d)(iii) | $4.86 a day | |
| Width (and/or load) in excess of 3.5mClause 19.3(d)(iv) | $4.86 a day | |
| Driver-salesperson allowanceClause 19.3(d)(ix) | $23.16 a week | |
| Furniture carter allowanceClause 19.3(d)(v) | $27.39 a week | |
| Livestock carter allowanceClause 19.3(d)(vi) | $27.39 a week | |
| Sanitary vehicle allowanceClause 19.3(d)(vii) | $30.88 a week | |
| Garbage collection allowanceClause 19.3(d)(viii) | $25.28 a week | |
| Carbon black allowanceClause 19.3(d)(x) | $2.96 a day | |
| Offensive material allowanceClause 19.3(d)(xi) | $3.81 a day | |
| Dirty material allowanceClause 19.3(d)(xii) | $0.63 an hour | |
| Tar handling allowanceClause 19.3(d)(xiii) | $4.76 a week | |
| Coffin handling allowanceClause 19.3(d)(xiv) | $4.02 per coffin | |
| Money handling allowance | ||
| Over $1000 but not exceeding $1200Clause 19.3(e) | $14.91 a week | |
| Over $1200 but not exceeding $1600Clause 19.3(e) | $23.06 a week | |
| Over $1600 but not exceeding $2000Clause 19.3(e) | $25.49 a week | |
| Over $20 but not exceeding $200Clause 19.3(e) | $4.76 a week | |
| Over $200 but not exceeding $600Clause 19.3(e) | $8.14 a week | |
| Over $2000Clause 19.3(e) | $28.98 a week | |
| Over $600 but not exceeding $1000Clause 19.3(e) | $10.58 a week | |
| Up to $20Clause 19.3(e) | $2.43 a week | |
| Bulk dangerous goods allowanceClause 19.3(f)(i) | $25.07 a day | |
| Packaged dangerous goods allowanceClause 19.3(f)(ii) | $10.47 a day | |
| First aid allowanceClause 19.3(g) | $16.92 a week | |
To cover costs
| Allowance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Travelling allowanceClause 19.5(a) | $41.03 a day |
| Housing allowance, this amount less than the amount of rent chargedClause 19.5(d)(ii) | $4.49 – |
| Meal allowanceClause 19.5(f)(i) | $21.15 a meal |
The award is the final word
These are the minimum rates the Fair Work Commission publishes for the award. Shift rules, rostering and who each classification covers are in the award itself, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay. Employees no award or agreement covers get the National Minimum Wage: $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026.
Questions people ask
- What is the minimum pay rate under the Road Transport and Distribution Award?
- From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult rate is $26.87 an hour ($1,021.00 a week full time), for Transport Worker Grade 1. The highest adult classification is $34.25 an hour.
- How does the Road Transport and Distribution Award minimum compare?
- Its lowest adult rate is $26.87 an hour, 1.6% above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 44 have a higher minimum.
- How much did Road Transport and Distribution Award rates go up on 1 July 2026?
- The lowest adult rate rose 4.76%, from $25.65 to $26.87 an hour, in the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. The table shows each classification's rate before and after.
- What is the casual loading under the Road Transport and Distribution Award?
- 25% on top of the ordinary hourly rate, paid instead of leave entitlements. For Transport Worker Grade 1 that makes $33.59 an hour.
- What are Sunday rates under the Road Transport and Distribution Award?
- Full-time and part-time employees get 200% of the ordinary rate on Sunday: $55.66 an hour at Distribution facility employee level 1. Public holidays are 150–200%. Casual rates are in the penalty tables above.
- What allowances are paid under the Road Transport and Distribution Award?
- 35 allowances have a dollar amount set by the Commission, including a driver of low loader with GCM over 43 tonnes, for each extra tonne of $1.90 a week, a driver of multi-axle platform trailing equipment with carrying capacity in excess of 100 tonnes, for each extra 10 tonnes between 200 and 300 tonnes of $21.58 a week and a driver of multi-axle platform trailing equipment with carrying capacity in excess of 100 tonnes, for each extra 10 tonnes in excess of 100 tonnes and up to 150 tonnes of $23.06 a week. The full list, with the clause each comes from, is on this page.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database, which publishes every award's minimum rates; we read it when the Commission changes an award. The award itself prevails if the two ever differ, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay.
Source: Fair Work Commission, Modern Awards Pay Database, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 27 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not endorsed by the Fair Work Commission. Read with the award: if they differ, the award prevails. General information, not legal or payroll advice.