Road Transport Award
Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020
Get plain-English answers on the Road Transport Award
Answers grounded on the full MA000039 document — every clause, variation, and classification. From $99/mo (50% off first 3 months — first 100 signups).
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 |
Rates shown are hourly permanent (base) and casual (base + 25% loading). Always verify with the official FWC document — rates change annually on 1 July following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review.
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
Source: — · Inferred from industry pay guides — verify edge cases via FWO PACT
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 |
Worked example: casual Grade 5 (base $28.67/hr), first block of overtime at 150%. Different awards produce different hourly rates from the same base because the 25% loading is applied differently.
Calculate casual overtime for any scenario →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 |
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.
Question about the Road Transport Award?
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