Road Transport Pay Rates 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for road transport workers in Australia under the Road Transport Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Road Transport Minimum Pay Rate
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000039)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for road transport workers is $24.10/hr under the Road Transport Award. Casuals receive $30.13/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
Long-haul drivers, local delivery drivers, and road transport workers are covered by the Road Transport and Distribution Award. This award covers the heavy vehicle side of transport — from rigid trucks to B-doubles and road trains. 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 | Road Transport Driver Grade 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Grade 2 | Road Transport Driver Grade 2 | $25.10 | $31.38 | $49,597.60 |
| Grade 3 | Road Transport Driver Grade 3 | $25.97 | $32.46 | $51,316.72 |
| Grade 4 | Road Transport Driver Grade 4 | $26.83 | $33.54 | $53,016.08 |
| Grade 5 | Road Transport Driver Grade 5 | $27.72 | $34.65 | $54,774.72 |
| Grade 6 | Road Transport Driver Grade 6 | $28.85 | $36.06 | $57,007.60 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 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 | $24.10 | +$6.03 | $30.13 |
| Grade 2 | $25.10 | +$6.28 | $31.38 |
| Grade 3 | $25.97 | +$6.49 | $32.46 |
| Grade 4 | $26.83 | +$6.71 | $33.54 |
| Grade 5 | $27.72 | +$6.93 | $34.65 |
| Grade 6 | $28.85 | +$7.21 | $36.06 |
Road Transport Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.10/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $48.20/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $60.25/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $48.20/hr |
Full Road Transport Award Details
View the complete Road Transport Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Road Transport Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $24.10/hr (or $30.13/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 Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for road transport drivers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for road transport workers is $24.10/hr (Grade 1) under the Road Transport and Distribution Award. A Grade 4 heavy vehicle driver earns around $26.89/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?
Saturday pays 1.5x for the first 2 hours and 2.0x after that. Sunday is 2.0x all day. 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 are entitled to meal allowances and overnight accommodation allowances when away from their home depot. The amounts are set out in the award and are updated annually. These are separate from your hourly rate.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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