MA000039Road Transport
Road Transport Award
Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020
Who does this award cover?
The Road Transport Award covers employees working in road transport, including the following common roles:
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Base (per hour) | Casual (+25%) | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Distance Driver Grade 3 (previously Grade 1) | $27.83 | $34.79 | $1057.54 |
| Long Distance Driver Grade 4 (previously Grade 2) | $28.32 | $35.40 | $1076.16 |
| Long Distance Driver Grade 5 (previously Grade 3) | $28.67 | $35.84 | $1089.46 |
| Long Distance Driver Grade 6 (previously Grade 4) | $29.00 | $36.25 | $1102.00 |
| Long Distance Driver Grade 7 (previously Grade 5) | $29.42 | $36.78 | $1117.96 |
| Long Distance Driver Grade 8 (previously Grade 6) | $30.28 | $37.85 | $1150.64 |
Get plain-English answers on the Road Transport Award
Answers grounded on the full MA000039 document — every clause, variation, and classification. Pro is $29.99/mo, cancel anytime.
Penalty rates
How casual overtime is calculated
One of the most common payroll questions under the Road Transport Award: when a casual works overtime or weekend hours, does the 1.5× or 2× multiplier apply to the base rate, or to the 25%-loaded casual rate? The answer depends on how the award is drafted.
Method for the Road Transport Award
Unresolved — award drafting is ambiguous or we have not verified
We have not independently verified how this award treats the 25% casual loading when overtime or penalty rates apply. The three possible methods (additive / compounded / separate) can produce materially different pay outcomes. Check the award text at fwc.gov.au or use the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) for a definitive answer.
| Method | Calculation | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Additive | $28.67 × 175% | $50.17 |
| Compounded | $35.84 × 150% | $53.76 |
| Separate | $28.67 × 150% | $43.01 |
Break entitlements
| Shift length | Meal break | Rest break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | — | — | No |
| 5–8 hours | 30 min | 15 min | Yes |
| 8–11 hours | 30 min | 15 min | Yes |
| 11+ hours | 60 min | 30 min | Yes |
More on the Road Transport Award
Road Transport Award pay rates 2026-27
Every classification, junior and casual rate, penalty table and rate calculator.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in road transport
- NJE Aviation Services Engineering Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Little Red Trucks Victoria – TWU Enterprise Agreement 2026–2029
- Qube Logistics (NSW) and the TWU Road Transport Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Sea1 Offshore Australia Pty Ltd Engineer Officers Enterprise Agreement 2025
- Singapore Airlines Enterprise Agreement 2026
- K&S Energy (Townsville and Cairns) Drivers Enterprise Agreement 2026
Road Transport Award enforcement cases
Want the full MA000039 document?
This page covers the headline rates, penalties, and break rules. The full award has dozens more clauses: allowances, overtime formulas, rostering rules, dispute procedures, and classification descriptors. FairWork Mate answers plain-English questions grounded on every clause, with a citation back to the award on every answer.
FairWork Mate AI
Not sure the Road Transport Award is the award that covers you?
“I think I'm covered by the Road Transport Award (MA000039). Is that the right award for my job, and what should I be paid?”
Coverage turns on what your business actually does, not your job title. The advisor checks your situation against the MA000039 coverage clause and the decisions that have tested it.
Ask the advisor →Get notified when award rates change
Free alerts when the Road Transport Award pay rates are updated (annually on 1 July) or when the Fair Work Commission varies the award.