Road Transport Pay Rates 2026-27
Minimum pay rates for road transport workers in Australia under the Transport Award: $26.87/hr at Level 1, $33.59/hr casual, every classification level, penalty rates. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Road Transport Minimum Pay Rate
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038)
$26.87
Base rate/hr
$33.59
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for road transport workers is $26.87/hr under the Transport Award. Casuals receive $33.59/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Local delivery drivers, general haulage drivers, and road transport workers are covered by the Road Transport and Distribution Award (MA000038) — from vans and rigid trucks to B-doubles. Interstate long-haul drivers fall under the separate Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award (MA000039). Fatigue management and loading/unloading time are key pay issues.
Road Transport Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Transport Worker Grade 1 | $26.87 | $33.59 | $53,095.12 |
| Grade 2 | Transport Worker Grade 2 | $27.51 | $34.39 | $54,359.76 |
| Grade 3 | Transport Worker Grade 3 | $27.83 | $34.79 | $54,992.08 |
| Grade 4 | Transport Worker Grade 4 | $28.32 | $35.40 | $55,960.32 |
| Grade 5 | Transport Worker Grade 5 | $28.67 | $35.84 | $56,651.92 |
| Grade 6 | Transport Worker Grade 6 | $29.00 | $36.25 | $57,304.00 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Road Transport Pay Rates
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | $26.87 | +$6.72 | $33.59 |
| Grade 2 | $27.51 | +$6.88 | $34.39 |
| Grade 3 | $27.83 | +$6.96 | $34.79 |
| Grade 4 | $28.32 | +$7.08 | $35.40 |
| Grade 5 | $28.67 | +$7.17 | $35.84 |
| Grade 6 | $29.00 | +$7.25 | $36.25 |
Road Transport Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $26.87/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$40.31/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$53.74/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$67.18/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $40.31/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $53.74/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $67.18/hr |
| Afternoon Shift | 1.175x | $31.57/hr |
| Night Shift | 1.3x | $34.93/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $40.31/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $53.74/hr |
Full Transport Award Details
View the complete Transport Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Transport Award Pay Rates →Related awards that may also apply:
Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $26.87/hr (or $33.59/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in road transport. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Pay Rates by Industry
Road Transport enforcement cases
Real Fair Work decisions and Federal Court penalties in this industry.
Road Transport Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for road transport drivers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for road transport workers is $26.87/hr (Grade 1) under the Road Transport and Distribution Award. A driver of a rigid vehicle up to 4.5t GVM (Grade 2) earns $27.51/hr, and a Grade 4 driver (3-axle rigid over 13.9t) earns $28.32/hr base. Casual drivers receive the 25% loading on top.
Do road transport drivers get paid for loading and unloading?
Yes. All time spent loading, unloading, and waiting at depots or customer sites is paid working time. If you're required to be at a location, you must be paid. Unpaid waiting time is a common breach in this industry.
What penalty rates do road transport workers get?
Under the Road Transport and Distribution Award, ordinary hours worked on a Saturday (by agreement) pay 1.5x and Sunday pays 2.0x. Public holidays pay 2.5x. Overtime beyond 38 hours per week is 1.5x for the first 2 hours, then 2.0x.
What about long-distance driving allowances?
Long-distance drivers under the Long Distance Operations Award (MA000039) are paid via an hourly driving rate or a cents-per-kilometre rate, plus meal and overnight accommodation allowances when away from their home depot. Note that MA000039's classification grades were renumbered in 2026-27 — old Grade 1 is now Grade 3.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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