Road Transport Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020 (MA000039) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Road Transport Award
MA000039 · Road Transport
Common roles: Truck driver, Heavy vehicle driver, Bus driver, Tanker driver, Removalist
$27.83
Base rate/hr
$34.79
Casual rate/hr
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Classification Pay Rates — Road Transport Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | $27.83 | $34.79 | $1,057.54 | $54,992.08 |
| Grade 4 | $28.32 | $35.40 | $1,076.16 | $55,960.32 |
| Grade 5 | $28.67 | $35.84 | $1,089.46 | $56,651.92 |
| Grade 6 | $29.00 | $36.25 | $1,102.00 | $57,304.00 |
| Grade 7 | $29.42 | $36.78 | $1,117.96 | $58,133.92 |
| Grade 8 | $30.28 | $37.85 | $1,150.64 | $59,833.28 |
Penalty Rates — Road Transport Award
Saturday
$41.75/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$55.66/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$69.57/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$41.75/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$55.66/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($27.83/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Road Transport Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–8 hours | 30 min | 15 min | Yes |
| 8–11 hours | 30 min | 15 min | Yes |
| 11+ hours | 60 min | 30 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Transport Award | $27.83/hr | $34.79/hr | $55.66/hr | $69.57/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr | $59.49/hr |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $41.71/hr | $69.52/hr |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $33.71/hr | $53.94/hr | $67.43/hr |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $33.34/hr | $53.34/hr | $66.68/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Road Transport Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Road Transport Award (MA000039), the Level 1 base rate is $27.83/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $34.79/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Road Transport Award?
Permanent employees under the Road Transport Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $55.66/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Road Transport Award?
Public holiday work under the Road Transport Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $69.57/hr.
Who is covered by the Road Transport Award?
The Road Transport Award covers employees in the road transport industry. Common job titles include Truck driver, Heavy vehicle driver, Bus driver, Tanker driver, Removalist, Road train driver.
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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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