Is travelling between job sites or clients during the day paid work time?

Yes. The Fair Work Ombudsman states that travelling between worksites during work hours is paid work time. Many awards also pay a per-kilometre allowance for using your own car — $1.00/km under the Building & Construction, Electrical, Plumbing and Clerks awards, and $1.05/km under SCHADS and the Aged Care Award — temporarily up from $1.01 for the first full pay period on or after 1 September 2026, reverting 28 February 2027 (Fair Work Commission, AM2026/10). Other rates current 1 July 2026, checked September 2026.

Is my normal commute to work ever paid?

The ordinary home-to-work commute is unpaid — the Building & Construction Award says so expressly (clause 26.3). But allowances can still apply: construction workers get a fares and travel patterns allowance of $22.41 per day worked on site, and electrical workers get a daily travel allowance of $8.69 (1 July 2026 rates). If you're sent somewhere OTHER than your usual workplace, the excess over your normal commute is often payable.

What if I'm sent to a site further away than my usual workplace?

Several awards pay for the excess over your normal commute: the Manufacturing Award (clause 30.5(a)) and the Vehicle Repair, Services & Retail Award (clause 19.3) pay travelling time for the extra travel, and the FWO's own worked example treats the additional time as time worked at ordinary or overtime rates. Under the Building & Construction Award, distant work over 50 km pays travel time at ordinary rates (minimum 30 minutes a day) plus $0.60/km.

Can I claim back-pay for unpaid travel time?

Yes — underpayments are recoverable for up to 6 years, and the small claims process covers claims up to $100,000. Three hours a week of unpaid between-site travel at $30/hour is $4,680 a year before vehicle allowances. Keep rosters, job sheets and GPS or toll records as evidence.

Travel Time Pay Checker

When does travel count as work? One employer calls it 'personal time', the award often disagrees. Check your scenario against the actual clause — site transfers, distant work, call-outs, training — with 1 July 2026 allowance rates, and see what unpaid travel is worth per year.

Last verified: 4 August 2026Jump to calculator ↓

FairWork Mate AI

Is the figure right for you?

The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.

Renews monthly at A$29.99 until you cancel. By continuing you agree to our Terms.

Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99

Get pay and rights updates for your job

Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.

Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

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.

Travel Time Pay Checker

Is the figure right for you?

Related Tools