Vehicle Repair & Retail Award.
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020. Verified penalty rates, shift loadings, leave loading and RDO arrangements, with a live calculator under the NES.
Pop in your details
Here's your entitlement
See full calculation
| 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.
Vehicle Repair & Retail Award pay rates and penalties.
Dollar rates effective from 1 July 2026 after the Annual Wage Review increase. Penalty rates verified against the MA000089 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
17 levels, measured from $0 so the gaps between them are true to scale.
Grey bars fall below the adult national minimum wage. The award itself sets these rates, and the key below says who each one applies to.
- R1Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 1 (entry), e.g. car cleaner, driveway attendant, parking attendant
- R2Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 2, e.g. tyre fitter, battery repairer, lubritorium attendant
- R3Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 3, e.g. detailer, service receptionist, storeperson first 12 months, automotive wrecker
- R4Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 4, e.g. console operator, automotive parts salesperson, vehicle salesperson under 6 months
- R5Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 5, e.g. experienced automotive parts salesperson, automotive servicer
- R6Tradesperson or equivalent Level I, e.g. motor mechanic, automotive electrician, panel beater, painter, vehicle salesperson over 6 months
- R7Tradesperson or equivalent Level II (Certificate IV), e.g. master technician, automotive technical advisor
- Driver: forklift up to 4500kgDriver, forklift, lifting capacity up to 4500kg
- Driver: forklift over 4500kgDriver, forklift, lifting capacity in excess of 4500kg
- Driver: mobile crane up to 10tDriver, mobile crane, lifting capacity up to 10 tonnes
- Driver: mobile crane over 10tDriver, mobile crane, lifting capacity in excess of 10 tonnes
- Driver: commercial vehicle up to 3tDriver, commercial vehicle, maker's capacity of 3 tonnes or less
- Driver: commercial vehicle 3t to 8tDriver, commercial vehicle, maker's capacity over 3 tonnes but under 8 tonnes
- Driver: articulated vehicle up to 10tDriver, articulated vehicle, maker's capacity up to and including 10 tonnes
- Driver: tow truck class 1Driver, tow truck, class 1 small conventional unit
- Driver: tow truck class 2 and 3Driver, tow truck, class 2 larger conventional or class 3 light salvage unit
- Driver: tow truck class 4Driver, tow truck, class 4 heavy salvage unit
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 MA000089 award text as consolidated by the Fair Work Commission, reflecting Annual Wage Review [2026] FWCFB 3500, effective 1 July 2026.
- Penalty rates and allowances
- MA000089 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 | 118% | 143% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 1 (entry), e.g. car cleaner, driveway attendant, parking attendant | $978.10 | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| R2 | Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 2, e.g. tyre fitter, battery repairer, lubritorium attendant | $1,004.90 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| R3 | Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 3, e.g. detailer, service receptionist, storeperson first 12 months, automotive wrecker | $1,029.10 | $27.08 | $33.85 |
| R4 | Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 4, e.g. console operator, automotive parts salesperson, vehicle salesperson under 6 months | $1,062.90 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| R5 | Vehicle RS&R industry employee Level 5, e.g. experienced automotive parts salesperson, automotive servicer | $1,088.20 | $28.64 | $35.80 |
| R6 | Tradesperson or equivalent Level I, e.g. motor mechanic, automotive electrician, panel beater, painter, vehicle salesperson over 6 months | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| R7 | Tradesperson or equivalent Level II (Certificate IV), e.g. master technician, automotive technical advisor | $1,224.40 | $32.22 | $40.28 |
| Driver: forklift up to 4500kg | Driver, forklift, lifting capacity up to 4500kg | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: forklift over 4500kg | Driver, forklift, lifting capacity in excess of 4500kg | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: mobile crane up to 10t | Driver, mobile crane, lifting capacity up to 10 tonnes | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: mobile crane over 10t | Driver, mobile crane, lifting capacity in excess of 10 tonnes | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: commercial vehicle up to 3t | Driver, commercial vehicle, maker's capacity of 3 tonnes or less | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: commercial vehicle 3t to 8t | Driver, commercial vehicle, maker's capacity over 3 tonnes but under 8 tonnes | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: articulated vehicle up to 10t | Driver, articulated vehicle, maker's capacity up to and including 10 tonnes | $1,102.80 | $29.02 | $36.28 |
| Driver: tow truck class 1 | Driver, tow truck, class 1 small conventional unit | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: tow truck class 2 and 3 | Driver, tow truck, class 2 larger conventional or class 3 light salvage unit | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Driver: tow truck class 4 | Driver, tow truck, class 4 heavy salvage unit | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
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 MA000089 award text as consolidated to 1 July 2026.
Allowances
Paid on top of the base rate. Amounts effective from 1 July 2026.
| Allowance | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tool allowance | $13.86 | per week | For an RS&R tradesperson required to provide their own hand tools (cl 19.6(a)). Not subject to overtime, shift or other penalties or annual leave loading (cl 19.6(c)). Last varied ppc 1 July 2024, so it did not move in the 2025 or 2026 reviews. |
| Leading hand allowance | $48.57 - $93.00 | per week | $48.57 in charge of 3 to 10 employees, $73.19 for more than 10 and up to 20, $93.00 for more than 20 (cl 18.2). |
| First aid allowance | $22.38 | per week | For an employee with first aid qualifications appointed by the employer to perform first aid duty (cl 18.3). |
| Vehicle allowance | $1.00 | per km | When required to use your own vehicle on the employer's business (cl 19.3(b)(iv)). Vehicle salespeople have their own allowance below. |
| Overtime meal allowance | $18.67 | per meal | For overtime of more than 1.5 hours without notice the previous day, unless a meal is supplied (cl 19.2). The same amount applies per meal when travelling overnight (cl 19.5(b)(i)). Not for vehicle salespeople. |
| Tow truck driver allowance | $28.20 | per week | For a driver required to drive a tow truck. Stands alone and is not subject to penalty additions (cl 16.4(c)). |
| Commercial and articulated vehicle driver allowances | $2.01 - $4.98 | per week or per day | Commercial vehicle: $2.13 per week for each complete tonne over 8 tonnes, $2.76 per day drawing an empty trailer, $4.98 per day drawing a loaded trailer (cl 16.4(a)). Articulated vehicle: $2.01 per week for each complete tonne over 10 tonnes (cl 16.4(b)). |
| Driver handling money allowance | $2.26 - $14.07 | per week | For a driver who collects or pays out money and is responsible for it: $2.26 up to $20, $4.14 to $200, $7.85 to $600, $9.95 to $1,000, $14.07 over $1,000 (cl 18.4). |
| Special rates | $0.75 - $1.09 | per hour | Confined spaces inside tanks $1.09 (cl 18.5), dirty work $0.84 with a $3.30 daily minimum (18.6), hot places $0.84 or $1.09 (18.7), wet places $0.75 (18.8), glass or slag wool $1.09 (18.9), handling garbage $0.84 (18.10), uncleaned livestock vehicles $0.84 (18.11). Paid whatever the time of work and never penalty-loaded (cl 18.1(b)). |
| Vehicle salesperson own vehicle allowance | $224.83 + $0.27 per km | per week | For a salesperson required to use their own vehicle up to 20 hp; $249.85 per week plus $0.30 per km over 20 hp (cl 28.7(d)(ii)). Casual use by agreement is at least $1.00 per km (cl 28.7(d)(vi)). |
| Vehicle salesperson meal allowance | $22.14 | per meal | On duty at a motor or agricultural show over a meal period, or working at a showroom or car yard for more than 2 hours after 6pm without notice the previous day (cl 28.7(c)). |
The numbers that drive this award.
Set by Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (MA000089) and the NES.
Award-specific provisions.
Where this award goes beyond, or sits at, the NES floor.
A 7-day shiftworker regularly rostered on Sundays and public holidays receives a 5th week of annual leave (clause 29.11).
Day workers get a flat 17.5% on the minimum hourly rate. 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.
No formal RDO accrual cycle in this award. Time off in lieu of overtime (TOIL) may still be available.
Calculate your leave under this award
The Vehicle Repair & Retail 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 Vehicle Repair & Retail Award (MA000089) is the common name for the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020. Industries, work types and exclusions are taken from the Fair Work Ombudsman summary.
Industries
Work types
Notes & exclusions. Sunday 200%, public holiday 250%. Shift loadings (clause 25.2): afternoon shift only 118%, night shift only 130%; rotating or alternating combinations pay 112.5% to 120%. An afternoon or night shift that does not continue for 5 or more successive days is paid 150%. Shift penalties do NOT apply to people employed principally to sell vehicles, or to casual driveway, console and roadhouse attendants. Casual driveway attendants, roadhouse attendants and console operators are paid a flat 131.75% of the R1, R2 or R4 rate on weekdays ($33.91, $34.84 or $36.85 an hour) and 171.87% on weekends and public holidays, instead of the 25% loading (clause 27.3). Excludes vehicle manufacturing (Manufacturing Award since 2020) and standalone car parking.
Roles paid under this award.
Each classification has its own pay grade. Use the FWO Pay Calculator for current dollar rates.
- 01R1 RS&R Level 1 (entry)
- 02R2 RS&R Level 2
- 03R3 RS&R Level 3
- 04R4 RS&R Level 4
- 05R5 RS&R Level 5
- 06R6 tradesperson or equivalent Level I
- 07R7 tradesperson or equivalent Level II
- 08motor mechanic/automotive technician (R6)
- 09automotive electrician (R6)
- 10panel beater (R6)
- 11painter (R6)
- 12vehicle salesperson (R4 under 6 months, R6 after)
- 13forklift, crane, commercial vehicle and tow truck driver
- 14apprentice
Vehicle Repair & Retail Award questions, answered.
Penalty rates, leave entitlements and award-specific provisions under MA000089. Verified against the modern award text.
Who does the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award cover?
What is the Saturday penalty rate under the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award?
What is the Sunday rate under the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award?
What is the public holiday rate under the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award?
How many weeks of annual leave do I get under the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award?
How is annual leave loading calculated under the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award?
What is the casual loading under the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award?
Does the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award include rostered days off (RDOs)?
Does the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award have evening or night-shift loadings?
Where do I find current pay rates by classification under the Vehicle Repair & Retail Award?
Verified against the modern award text.
Penalty rates, shift loadings and continuous-shift eligibility on this page were verified against Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (MA000089) 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.