Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award (MA000089) from 1 July 2026: 19 classifications on 8 distinct hourly rates, with casual and weekend rates.
This page brings together the published minimum pay rates under the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award. You will find the minimum rate for each classification, from industry employees and tradespeople to vehicle salespeople and drivers, along with casual rates and penalty rates for weekend, evening and public holiday work.
The Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award covers the motor trades: mechanical repair workshops, auto electrical shops, panel beaters and spray painters, tyre and battery outlets, service stations, and vehicle dealerships with their parts, accessories and sales departments. It also reaches roadside and towing operators. The workforce ranges from qualified mechanics, auto electricians and tradespeople through to vehicle salespeople, service-station and parts staff, forklift and tow-truck drivers, and apprentices learning a trade. Minimum rates span industry employee grades, tradesperson levels and vehicle sales roles, reflecting the mix of hands-on repair work and retail across the sector.
Pay rates by classification
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award run from $25.74 an hour (Vehicle RS&R industry employee — Level 1 (R1)) to $32.22 (Vehicle RS&R industry employee — tradesperson or equivalent Level II (R7)), a spread of $6.48 an hour or 25.2%, $246.30 a week full-time.
The award’s 19 classifications in this dataset share 8 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Vehicle RS&R industry employee — Level 1 (R1) is paid $32.18 an hour, 25% above the full-time hourly rate, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Vehicle RS&R industry employee — Level 1 (R1):
The hourly rate rose $1.46 (6%) from $24.28 on 30 June 2026 to $25.74, and the full-time weekly rate rose $55.40.
Penalty rates
| Day | Vehicle repair | Median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% | 150% | 2 of 19 |
| Sunday | 200% | 187.5% | 1 of 20 |
| Public holiday | 250% | 250% | 1 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.
Every Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building and Construction General On-site Award | Level 1 (CW/ECW 1), level a | $26.67 | — |
| Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award | Electrical worker grade 1 | $26.44 | — |
The Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award entry rate is $0.93 an hour lower than the Building and Construction General On-site Award entry rate of $26.67.
The Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award entry rate is $0.70 an hour lower than the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award entry rate of $26.44.
Allowances
The pay database lists 28 wage-related allowances and 15 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| weekly standard rate — driver of commercial vehicle—per additional complete tonne over 8 tonnes | $2.13 | per week | no |
| hourly standard rate — driver of commercial vehicle—Drawing an empty trailer | $2.76 | per day | no |
| hourly standard rate — driver of commercial vehicle—Drawing a loaded trailer | $4.98 | per day | no |
| weekly standard rate — driver of articulated vehicle—per additional complete tonne over 10 tonnes | $2.01 | per week | no |
| weekly standard rate — driver driving—tow truck | $28.20 | per week | no |
| weekly standard rate — leading hand in charge of—not less than 3 and not more than 10 employees | $48.57 | per week | no |
| weekly standard rate — leading hand in charge of—more than 10 and not more than 20 employees | $73.19 | per week | no |
| weekly standard rate — leading hand in charge of—more than 20 employees | $93.00 | per week | no |
| weekly standard rate — first aid allowance | $22.38 | per week | no |
| hourly standard rate — driver handling money—up to $20 | $2.26 | per week | no |
| hourly standard rate — driver handling money—over $20 but not exceeding $200 | $4.14 | per week | no |
| hourly standard rate — driver handling money—over $200 but not exceeding $600 | $7.85 | per week | no |
| hourly standard rate — driver handling money—over $600 but not exceeding $1000 | $9.95 | per week | no |
| hourly standard rate — driver handling money—over $1000 | $14.07 | per week | no |
| hourly standard rate — confined spaces allowance | $1.09 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — dirty work allowance | $0.84 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — dirty work—minimum per day or shift | $3.30 | per day or shift | no |
| hourly standard rate — hot places allowance—temperature artificially raised to between 46 and 54°C | $0.84 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — hot places allowance—temperature artificially raised over 54°C | $1.09 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — wet places allowance | $0.75 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — handling glass or slag wool | $1.09 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — handling garbage—vehicle driver or assistant | $0.84 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — working on uncleaned vehicle used for livestock transport | $0.84 | per hour | no |
| hourly standard rate — slicking with carbon black and hand spraying tyres | $1.26 | per day | no |
| hourly standard rate — large tyre fitting—offsite | $1.25 | per day | no |
| weekly standard rate — fork-lifts or cranes—2 or more in one lift | $3.25 | per day | no |
| Payment for work on a Sunday—more than half day worked | $223.82 | per week | no |
| Payment for work on a Sunday—half day or less is worked | $111.91 | per week | no |
| Meal allowance—more than 1.5 hours’ overtime—other than vehicle sales-related duties | $18.67 | per meal | no |
| Vehicle allowance—other than vehicle sales-related duties | $1.00 | per km | no |
| Meal allowance while travelling | $18.67 | per meal | no |
| Tool allowance—tradespersons | $13.86 | per week | no |
| Tool allowance—apprentices—Level 1 or 1st year | $5.88 | per week | no |
| Tool allowance—apprentices—Level 2 or 2nd year | $7.59 | per week | no |
| Tool allowance—apprentices—Level 3 or 3rd year | $10.46 | per week | no |
| Tool allowance—apprentices—Level 4 or 4th year | $12.14 | per week | no |
| Meal allowance—vehicle salesperson—motor show, agricultural show, or public holiday | $22.14 | per midday or evening meal | no |
| Meal allowance—vehicle salesperson—showroom or car yard | $22.14 | per meal | no |
| Use of own motor vehicle allowance—vehicle salesperson—vehicle up to and including 20 hp - per week | $224.83 | per week | no |
| Use of own motor vehicle allowance—vehicle salesperson—vehicle up to and including 20 hp - per km | $0.27 | per km | no |
| Use of own motor vehicle allowance—vehicle salesperson—vehicle over 20 hp - per week | $249.85 | per week | no |
| Use of own motor vehicle allowance—vehicle salesperson—vehicle over 20 hp - per km | $0.30 | per km | no |
| Use of own motor vehicle allowance—vehicle salesperson—Casual use of vehicle | $1.00 | per km | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (MA000089), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.