Minimum pay rates for transport workers in Australia under the Transport Award. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038)
$26.87
Base rate/hr
$33.59
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for transport workers is $26.87/hr under the Transport Award. Casuals receive $33.59/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Truck drivers, delivery drivers, couriers, and logistics workers are covered by the Transport and Distribution Award. Long hours and shift work are par for the course, so knowing your overtime and penalty rates is essential. Here's the breakdown.
| 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 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 |
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 |
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:
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 transport. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Real Fair Work decisions and Federal Court penalties in this industry.
The minimum base rate for transport workers is $26.87/hr (Grade 1) under the Transport and Distribution Award. A Grade 5 driver earns $28.67/hr. Grade 6 (heavy vehicle) pays $29.00/hr base.
Yes. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for the first 2 hours and 2.0x after that. Afternoon shifts get a 17.5% loading and night shifts get 30%. Saturday is 1.5x and Sunday is double time.
The Road Transport and Distribution Award (MA000038) covers local and general transport, delivery, and distribution work. The Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award (MA000039) covers interstate long-haul driving, paid via an hourly driving rate or cents per kilometre. The applicable award depends on the type of transport work you do.
Employee delivery drivers are generally covered by the Transport and Distribution Award. However, gig economy delivery riders (Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) are typically classified as independent contractors and are not covered by any award.
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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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