Road Transport and Distribution Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Road Transport and Distribution Award (MA000038) from 1 July 2026: 14 classifications on 10 distinct hourly rates, with casual and weekend rates.
This page brings together the published minimum pay rates under the Road Transport and Distribution Award. You will find the minimum rate for each transport worker grade and distribution facility level, along with casual rates and the penalty rates for shift, weekend and public holiday work.
The Road Transport and Distribution Award covers the road freight and distribution industry: the carriers, couriers and logistics operators that move goods by road, and the distribution centres that store and dispatch them. It applies to truck, van and courier drivers across everything from light vehicles to articulated rigs, as well as furniture removalists, tanker and livestock carriers, tow-truck and dangerous-goods drivers, and the warehouse-based distribution staff who load, pick and dispatch freight. Minimum rates are set across the transport worker grades and distribution facility levels, scaling with vehicle size, load and the responsibility carried.
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Casual/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport employees | ||||
| Transport Worker Grade 1 | $26.87 | $1,021.00 | $53,235 | $33.59 |
| Transport Worker Grade 2 | $27.51 | $1,045.50 | $54,512 | $34.39 |
| Transport Worker Grade 3 | $27.83 | $1,057.60 | $55,143 | $34.79 |
| Transport Worker Grade 4 | $28.32 | $1,076.20 | $56,113 | $35.40 |
| Transport Worker Grade 5 | $28.67 | $1,089.60 | $56,812 | $35.84 |
| Transport Worker Grade 6 | $29.00 | $1,102.00 | $57,458 | $36.25 |
| Transport Worker Grade 7 | $29.42 | $1,118.00 | $58,293 | $36.78 |
| Transport Worker Grade 8 | $30.28 | $1,150.50 | $59,987 | $37.85 |
| Transport Worker Grade 9 | $30.78 | $1,169.70 | $60,988 | $38.48 |
| Transport Worker Grade 10 | $31.55 | $1,198.80 | $62,505 | $39.44 |
| Distribution facility employees | ||||
| Distribution facility employee level 1 | $27.83 | $1,057.60 | $55,143 | $34.79 |
| Distribution facility employee level 2 | $28.32 | $1,076.20 | $56,113 | $35.40 |
| Distribution facility employee level 3 | $29.42 | $1,118.00 | $58,293 | $36.78 |
| Distribution facility employee level 4 | $30.78 | $1,169.70 | $60,988 | $38.48 |
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Road Transport and Distribution Award run from $26.87 an hour (Transport Worker Grade 1) to $31.55 (Transport Worker Grade 10), a spread of $4.68 an hour or 17.4%, $177.80 a week full-time.
The award’s 14 classifications in this dataset share 10 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Transport Worker Grade 1 is paid $33.59 an hour, 25% above the full-time hourly rate, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Transport Worker Grade 1:
The hourly rate rose $1.22 (4.8%) from $25.65 on 30 June 2026 to $26.87, and the full-time weekly rate rose $46.30.
Penalty rates
| Day | Road transport | Median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% | 150% | 2 of 19 |
| Sunday | 200% | 187.5% | 1 of 20 |
| Public holiday | 150% | 250% | 22 of 22 |
The Sunday rate of 200% is higher than the median of 187.5% across the 20 awards with a Sunday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 1st.
The public holiday rate of 150% is lower than the median of 250% across the 22 awards with a public holiday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 22nd.
Every Road Transport and Distribution Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Services and Wholesale Award | Storeworker grade 1 — on commencement | $27.08 | 200% |
The Road Transport and Distribution Award entry rate is $0.21 an hour lower than the Storage Services and Wholesale Award entry rate of $27.08.
Allowances
The pay database lists 32 wage-related allowances and 3 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver of low loader with GCM over 43 tonnes—for each extra tonne | $1.90 | per week | yes |
| Driver of multi-axle platform trailing equipment with carrying capacity in excess of 100 tonnes—for each extra 10 tonnes in excess of 100 tonnes and up to 150 tonnes | $23.06 | per week | yes |
| Driver of multi-axle platform trailing equipment with carrying capacity in excess of 100 tonnes—for each extra 10 tonnes in excess of 150 tonnes and up to 200 tonnes | $22.10 | per week | yes |
| Driver of multi-axle platform trailing equipment with carrying capacity in excess of 100 tonnes—for each extra 10 tonnes between 200 and 300 tonnes | $21.58 | per week | yes |
| Leading hand (except leading loader) in charge of—3 to 10 employees | $49.92 | per week | no |
| Leading hand (except leading loader) in charge of—11 to 20 employees | $74.35 | per week | no |
| Leading hand (except leading loader) in charge of—More than 20 employees | $94.44 | per week | no |
| Motor vehicle—length in excess of legislated limit | $4.86 | per day | no |
| Motor vehicle—truck loading crane mounted on vehicle | $4.86 | per day | no |
| Motor vehicle—side-lifter crane mounted on vehicle | $4.86 | per day | no |
| Motor vehicle—width (and/or load) in excess of 3.5m | $4.86 | per day | no |
| Furniture carter allowance | $27.39 | per week | no |
| Livestock carter allowance | $27.39 | per week | no |
| Sanitary vehicle allowance | $30.88 | per week | no |
| Garbage collection allowance | $25.28 | per week | no |
| Driver-salesperson allowance | $23.16 | per week | no |
| Carbon black allowance | $2.96 | per day | no |
| Offensive material allowance | $3.81 | per day | no |
| Dirty material allowance | $0.63 | per hour | no |
| Tar handling allowance | $4.76 | per week | no |
| Coffin handling allowance | $4.02 | per coffin | no |
| Money handling allowance—Up to $20 | $2.43 | per week | no |
| Money handling allowance—Over $20 but not exceeding $200 | $4.76 | per week | no |
| Money handling allowance—Over $200 but not exceeding $600 | $8.14 | per week | no |
| Money handling allowance—Over $600 but not exceeding $1000 | $10.58 | per week | no |
| Money handling allowance—Over $1000 but not exceeding $1200 | $14.91 | per week | no |
| Money handling allowance—Over $1200 but not exceeding $1600 | $23.06 | per week | no |
| Money handling allowance—Over $1600 but not exceeding $2000 | $25.49 | per week | no |
| Money handling allowance—Over $2000 | $28.98 | per week | no |
| Bulk dangerous goods allowance | $25.07 | per day | no |
| Packaged dangerous goods allowance | $10.47 | per day | no |
| First aid allowance | $16.92 | per week | no |
| Travelling allowance | $41.03 | per day | no |
| Housing allowance—this amount less than the amount of rent charged | $4.49 | – | no |
| Meal allowance | $21.15 | per meal | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.