Road Transport and Distribution Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000038)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Road Transport and Distribution Award covers employees working in the road transport and distribution industry across Australia. This includes truck drivers, delivery drivers, forklift operators, warehouse workers, distribution facility employees, oil distribution workers, and transport workers engaged in the movement of goods by road. If you drive a truck, van, or other commercial vehicle for a transport or logistics company, or work in a warehouse or distribution centre, this award likely applies to you.
The award covers three main streams of employees: transport employees (drivers), distribution facility employees (warehouse and distribution centre workers), and oil distribution employees (tanker drivers and fuel depot workers). Each stream has its own classification levels and, in some cases, different penalty rate structures.
How classification levels work
Your pay rate depends on your classification level within your stream. For transport employees, classification is primarily based on the size and type of vehicle you drive -- from light rigid vehicles through to multi-combination (road train) vehicles. Distribution facility employees are classified by the complexity of their warehouse duties. Oil distribution employees have their own separate classification structure.
What about part-time and casual workers?
Part-time employees receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees on a pro-rata basis. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. Casual transport employees are also entitled to overtime rates when they exceed ordinary daily or weekly hours.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
| Level | Typical Duties | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Worker Grade 1 | Light rigid vehicle driver (up to 4.5t GVM) | $940.00 | $24.74 | $30.93 |
| Transport Worker Grade 2 | Medium rigid vehicle driver (up to 8t GVM) | $960.80 | $25.28 | $31.60 |
| Transport Worker Grade 3 | Heavy rigid vehicle driver (up to 15t GVM) | $985.60 | $25.94 | $32.43 |
| Transport Worker Grade 4 | Heavy combination driver (articulated vehicle) | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| Transport Worker Grade 5 | Multi-combination driver (B-double, road train) | $1,058.60 | $27.86 | $34.83 |
| Distribution Facility Level 1 | General warehouse hand, picker/packer | $940.00 | $24.74 | $30.93 |
| Distribution Facility Level 2 | Forklift operator, experienced warehouse worker | $960.80 | $25.28 | $31.60 |
| Distribution Facility Level 3 | Leading hand, stock controller, dispatch supervisor | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| Oil Distribution Grade 1 | Fuel tanker driver, depot attendant | $985.60 | $25.94 | $32.43 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.
Full-Time and Part-Time Transport Employees (Non-Shiftworkers)
| When you work | Penalty | Grade 3 example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | Base rate (100%) | $25.94/hr |
| Saturday | 150% | $38.91/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $51.88/hr |
| Public holiday (any other) | 250% | $64.85/hr |
| Good Friday and Christmas Day | 300% | $77.82/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours | 150% | $38.91/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours | 200% | $51.88/hr |
Shiftworkers (Distribution Facility and Oil Distribution)
| When you work | Penalty | DF Level 2 example |
|---|---|---|
| Day shift | Base rate (100%) | $25.28/hr |
| Afternoon shift | 115% | $29.07/hr |
| Night shift | 130% | $32.86/hr |
| Early morning shift | 110% | $27.81/hr |
| Non-continuous afternoon/night overtime -- first 3 hours | 150% | $37.92/hr |
| Non-continuous afternoon/night overtime -- after 3 hours | 200% | $50.56/hr |
| Saturday | 150% | $37.92/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $50.56/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% | $63.20/hr |
| Good Friday and Christmas Day | 325% | $82.16/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Grade 3 example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% (casual loading) | $32.43/hr |
| Saturday | 175% | $45.40/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $51.88/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% | $71.34/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the ordinary hours for truck drivers under this award?
Ordinary hours for transport employees are a maximum of 38 per week or an average of 38 per week over a roster cycle. However, the award allows for daily ordinary hours of up to 12 hours by agreement. The ordinary spread is 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Drivers should note that the Heavy Vehicle National Law also imposes maximum driving hours and rest requirements that operate alongside this award.
2. Do truck drivers get paid extra for Good Friday and Christmas Day?
Yes. The Road Transport and Distribution Award provides a higher penalty rate for Good Friday and Christmas Day compared to other public holidays. Full-time and part-time employees receive 300% of the base rate on these two days, compared to 250% for all other public holidays. Shiftworkers may receive up to 325%. This is one of the few awards with a differentiated public holiday rate.
3. Are forklift operators classified differently from general warehouse hands?
Yes. Forklift operators are typically classified at Distribution Facility Level 2 or above, which attracts a higher base rate than Level 1 general warehouse hands. To operate a forklift, you must hold a current High Risk Work Licence, and this additional qualification is reflected in the higher classification and pay rate.
4. Do long-distance drivers get extra allowances?
Yes. The award provides a range of allowances for transport employees, including a meal allowance when overtime exceeds certain thresholds, a distant jobs allowance for work away from the home depot, and vehicle-size allowances. These allowances are in addition to the base pay rate and penalty rates. Check clause 19 for the full list of applicable allowances.
5. What is the minimum engagement for casual transport workers?
Casual transport employees must be engaged for a minimum of 4 consecutive hours per shift. At Grade 3 casual rate ($32.43/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $129.72 gross. Casual distribution facility employees have a minimum engagement of 3 hours.
Check Your Rate
Not sure if you are being paid correctly? Use our free pay rate calculator to check your exact rate based on your transport grade or distribution facility level, employment type, and the hours you work.
Enter your details and get an instant breakdown of what you should be earning -- including penalty rates, overtime, and casual loading. Every result cites the specific award clause so you can verify it yourself.
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Home > Awards > Road Transport and Distribution Award (MA000038)
Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.