Road Transport Award.
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020. Verified penalty rates, shift loadings, leave loading and RDO arrangements, with a live calculator under the NES.
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| Component | Formula | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Accrual rate (FULL-TIME) | 4 wks × 38h ÷ 52 | 2.923 hrs/wk |
| Hours accrued | 2.923 × 52 wks | 152.42 hrs |
| Hourly base rate | - | $35.00 |
| Base leave value | 152.42 × $35.00 | $5,334.62 |
| 17.5% leave loading | base × 0.175 | + $933.56 |
| Total payout | - | $6,268.17 |
Disclaimer: This tool does not constitute legal or financial advice. Results may be inaccurate due to changes in legislation or your circumstances. This tool does not constitute legal or financial advice. We do not recommend taking actions based solely on these results. The calculator makes assumptions and results may be inaccurate due to changes in legislation, modern awards, or your personal circumstances. You use this information at your own risk. We can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong. For official guidance, visit Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au). Fair Work Ombudsman.
Road Transport Award pay rates and penalties.
Dollar rates effective from 1 July 2026 after the Annual Wage Review increase. Penalty rates verified against the MA000038 award text.
Penalty rates by shift type
What each hour is worth as a percentage of the base rate, for permanent and casual employees.
Hourly rate by classification level
14 levels, measured from $0 so the gaps between them are true to scale.
- Grade 1Transport Worker Grade 1: general hand, yardperson, vehicle washer, loader (not freight forwarder), foot or bicycle courier
- Grade 2Transport Worker Grade 2: freight forwarder loader, tow motor driver, rigid vehicle up to 4.5 tonnes GVM
- Grade 3Transport Worker Grade 3: fork-lift up to 5 tonnes, two-axle rigid vehicle over 4.5 tonnes GVM, concrete mixer up to 2 cubic metres
- Grade 4Transport Worker Grade 4: 3-axle rigid vehicle over 13.9 tonnes GVM, fork-lift over 5 up to 10 tonnes, weighbridge attendant, crane chaser or dogger
- Grade 5Transport Worker Grade 5: rigid vehicle with 4 or more axles over 13.9 tonnes GVM, 3-axle articulated vehicle up to 22.4 tonnes GCM
- Grade 6Transport Worker Grade 6: articulated vehicle with more than 3 axles over 22.4 tonnes GCM, mobile crane up to 25 tonnes, transport rigger
- Grade 7Transport Worker Grade 7: B-double up to 53.4 tonnes GCM, low loader over 43 tonnes GCM
- Grade 8Transport Worker Grade 8: combinations or B-doubles over 53.4 tonnes GCM, mobile crane over 25 up to 50 tonnes
- Grade 9Transport Worker Grade 9: combinations over 94 tonnes GCM, mobile crane over 50 tonnes, gantry crane, aerodrome attendant
- Grade 10Transport Worker Grade 10: multi-axle platform trailing equipment over 70 tonnes
- Distribution facility Level 1Distribution facility employee level 1: storing and packing goods, stock-checks, small delivery vehicle
- Distribution facility Level 2Distribution facility employee level 2: licensed materials handling equipment, inventory control, 3 to 6 tonne truck
- Distribution facility Level 3Distribution facility employee level 3: facility layout, receipt and dispatch, truck over 6 up to 13.9 tonnes GVM
- Distribution facility Level 4Distribution facility employee level 4: responsible for a facility or large section, supervises other employees
National Minimum Wage, 4-year trend
Lifted each year by the Annual Wage Review. Up 23.7% since FY2023. Percentages are the movement in the NMW itself, which exceeded the award increase in the years the Commission realigned it to the C13 rate.
Where these numbers come from
- Dollar rates
- The MA000038 award text as consolidated by the Fair Work Commission, reflecting Annual Wage Review [2026] FWCFB 3500, effective 1 July 2026.
- Penalty rates and allowances
- MA000038 on awards.fairwork.gov.au, the official award text.
- Your own figures
- Check your classification in the FWO Pay Calculator.
Penalty rates in full
Every loading in the award, side by side for full-time, part-time and casual employees.
| Hours worked | Full-time / part-time | Casual (incl. loading) |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100% | 125% |
| Saturday | 150% | 175% |
| Sunday | 200% | 225% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 275% |
| Afternoon shift | 117.5% | 142.5% |
| Night shift | 130% | 155% |
All values are percentages of the base hourly rate. Casual rates shown are inclusive of the 25% casual loading on top of the FT/PT rate. For your own dollar amounts, use the FWO Pay Calculator.
These are the percentages. To turn them into dollars for a specific roster, the penalty rates calculator prices Saturday, Sunday, public holiday and shift hours against this award’s own classification rates.
Pay rates by classification
Weekly rates are for 38 ordinary hours. Casual hourly includes the 25% loading.
| Level | Classification | Weekly rate | Hourly rate | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Transport Worker Grade 1: general hand, yardperson, vehicle washer, loader (not freight forwarder), foot or bicycle courier | $1,021.00 | $26.87 | $33.59 |
| Grade 2 | Transport Worker Grade 2: freight forwarder loader, tow motor driver, rigid vehicle up to 4.5 tonnes GVM | $1,045.50 | $27.51 | $34.39 |
| Grade 3 | Transport Worker Grade 3: fork-lift up to 5 tonnes, two-axle rigid vehicle over 4.5 tonnes GVM, concrete mixer up to 2 cubic metres | $1,057.60 | $27.83 | $34.79 |
| Grade 4 | Transport Worker Grade 4: 3-axle rigid vehicle over 13.9 tonnes GVM, fork-lift over 5 up to 10 tonnes, weighbridge attendant, crane chaser or dogger | $1,076.20 | $28.32 | $35.40 |
| Grade 5 | Transport Worker Grade 5: rigid vehicle with 4 or more axles over 13.9 tonnes GVM, 3-axle articulated vehicle up to 22.4 tonnes GCM | $1,089.60 | $28.67 | $35.84 |
| Grade 6 | Transport Worker Grade 6: articulated vehicle with more than 3 axles over 22.4 tonnes GCM, mobile crane up to 25 tonnes, transport rigger | $1,102.00 | $29.00 | $36.25 |
| Grade 7 | Transport Worker Grade 7: B-double up to 53.4 tonnes GCM, low loader over 43 tonnes GCM | $1,118.00 | $29.42 | $36.78 |
| Grade 8 | Transport Worker Grade 8: combinations or B-doubles over 53.4 tonnes GCM, mobile crane over 25 up to 50 tonnes | $1,150.50 | $30.28 | $37.85 |
| Grade 9 | Transport Worker Grade 9: combinations over 94 tonnes GCM, mobile crane over 50 tonnes, gantry crane, aerodrome attendant | $1,169.70 | $30.78 | $38.48 |
| Grade 10 | Transport Worker Grade 10: multi-axle platform trailing equipment over 70 tonnes | $1,198.80 | $31.55 | $39.44 |
| Distribution facility Level 1 | Distribution facility employee level 1: storing and packing goods, stock-checks, small delivery vehicle | $1,057.60 | $27.83 | $34.79 |
| Distribution facility Level 2 | Distribution facility employee level 2: licensed materials handling equipment, inventory control, 3 to 6 tonne truck | $1,076.20 | $28.32 | $35.40 |
| Distribution facility Level 3 | Distribution facility employee level 3: facility layout, receipt and dispatch, truck over 6 up to 13.9 tonnes GVM | $1,118.00 | $29.42 | $36.78 |
| Distribution facility Level 4 | Distribution facility employee level 4: responsible for a facility or large section, supervises other employees | $1,169.70 | $30.78 | $38.48 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 after the Annual Wage Review increase. Weekly rates are for 38 ordinary hours. Casual rates include the 25% loading on top of the hourly rate. Source: the MA000038 award text as consolidated to 1 July 2026.
Hourly and casual hourly rates above exclude the low loader (Grade 7) and multi-axle platform (Grade 10) special vehicle allowances, which are paid as part of the weekly rate for all purposes (clause 19.3(b)), so where they apply they lift the ordinary hourly rate used for penalties, overtime and the casual loading (clause 2).
Allowances
Paid on top of the base rate. Amounts effective from 1 July 2026.
| Allowance | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low loader allowance, Grade 7 | $1.90 | per week for each extra tonne over 43 tonnes GCM | Paid as part of the weekly rate for all purposes (cl 19.3(b)(i)), so it lifts the ordinary hourly rate used for penalties, overtime and the casual loading. The hourly rates above exclude it. |
| Multi-axle platform allowance, Grade 10 | $23.06 / $22.10 / $21.58 | per week for each extra 10 tonnes | Carrying capacity over 100 tonnes: $23.06 per 10 tonnes up to 150, $22.10 from 150 to 200, $21.58 from 200 to 300. Paid for all purposes (cl 19.3(b)(ii)). |
| Leading hand, 3 to 10 employees | $49.92 | per week | Not for a leading loader (cl 19.3(c)). |
| Leading hand, 11 to 20 employees | $74.35 | per week | Clause 19.3(c). |
| Leading hand, more than 20 employees | $94.44 | per week | Clause 19.3(c). |
| First aid allowance | $16.92 | per week | For an employee with a current first aid qualification appointed to perform first aid duty. The employer also pays the course fees (cl 19.3(g)). |
| Meal allowance | $21.15 | per meal | Overtime of 2 continuous hours or more, or starting 2 hours or more before the normal starting time, unless a meal is supplied (cl 19.5(f)). |
| Travelling allowance | At least $41.03 | per day | Travelling on duty or unable to return home at night, unless the employer provides suitable accommodation and meals (cl 19.5(a)). |
| Dangerous goods allowance | $25.07 bulk or explosives, $10.47 placarded packages | per day | Clause 19.3(f). Where a dangerous goods licence is required, the employer reimburses training and medical costs. |
| Money handling allowance | $2.43 - $28.98 | per week | Set by the highest amount handled in the week, from $2.43 for up to $20 to $28.98 for over $2,000 (cl 19.3(e)). |
| Over-length, over-width or crane-mounted vehicle | $4.86 | per day | Vehicle over the legal length, over 3.5 metres wide or carrying a wider load, or fitted with a truck loading crane or side-lifter crane (cl 19.3(d)(i) to (iv)). |
| Furniture or livestock carter allowance | $27.39 | per week | Recognised furniture carter removing or delivering furniture, or recognised livestock carter (cl 19.3(d)(v) and (vi)). |
The numbers that drive this award.
Set by Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038) and the NES.
Award-specific provisions.
Where this award goes beyond, or sits at, the NES floor.
Continuous-shift workers receive 5 weeks annual leave.
Day workers get the greater of 17.5% or the weekend penalty rates they would have earned during the leave, not both. Shift workers get the greater of 17.5% or the weekend and shift penalties they would have earned. Run the numbers in the annual leave loading calculator.
Ordinary hours may be worked on an RDO cycle (clause 13.7(a)). RDOs accumulate to a maximum of 10 days and may be taken or paid out at the ordinary hourly rate by written agreement. Oil distribution workers (clause 14.6(a)) work 9 days of 7 hours 47 minutes plus one RDO per two-week cycle.
Calculate your leave under this award
The Road Transport Award sets your pay rates, but your paid leave runs on the National Employment Standards. Work out 4 weeks of holidays with the annual leave calculator, and your 10 days of paid sick and carer's leave with the personal leave calculator. To confirm which award applies to you and how it lifts entitlements above the NES floor, read our guide to modern awards.
Who this award covers.
The Road Transport Award (MA000038) is the common name for the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020. Industries, work types and exclusions are taken from the Fair Work Ombudsman summary.
Industries
Work types
Notes & exclusions. Long distance operations are not covered: drivers doing them fall under the Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020 while on those operations (clause 4.3). Oil distribution workers work a 35-hour week (clause 14.2) for the same weekly rates, so their hourly rate is higher, for example Grade 1 is $29.17 an hour against $26.87 (clause 17.2). Includes labour-hire businesses placed in the road-transport industry. Loading and unloading ships, and transporting and storing that cargo at or adjacent to a wharf, is the stevedoring industry under the Stevedoring Award (MA000053 clause 4.2). Both awards apply to the exclusion of any other modern award and neither names the other in its exclusions, so cargo work near a port is decided by the most appropriate classification test in clause 4.7 of each.
Roles paid under this award.
Each classification has its own pay grade. Use the FWO Pay Calculator for current dollar rates.
- 01general hand
- 02loader
- 03courier (foot or bicycle)
- 04rigid vehicle driver
- 05articulated vehicle driver
- 06B-double driver
- 07low loader driver
- 08fork-lift driver
- 09concrete mixer driver
- 10mobile crane driver
- 11transport rigger
- 12weighbridge attendant
- 13distribution facility employee
- 14oil distribution worker
Road Transport Award questions, answered.
Penalty rates, leave entitlements and award-specific provisions under MA000038. Verified against the modern award text.
Who does the Road Transport Award cover?
What is the Saturday penalty rate under the Road Transport Award?
What is the Sunday rate under the Road Transport Award?
What is the public holiday rate under the Road Transport Award?
How many weeks of annual leave do I get under the Road Transport Award?
How is annual leave loading calculated under the Road Transport Award?
What is the casual loading under the Road Transport Award?
Does the Road Transport Award include rostered days off (RDOs)?
Does the Road Transport Award have evening or night-shift loadings?
Where do I find current pay rates by classification under the Road Transport Award?
Verified against the modern award text.
Penalty rates, shift loadings and continuous-shift eligibility on this page were verified against Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038) on the Fair Work Commission's awards.fairwork.gov.au.
For up-to-date pay rates by classification, refer to the FWO Pay Calculator. Modern awards are reviewed and varied periodically by the Fair Work Commission; check the source for the latest text.