Road Transport Distribution Award 2020 — free pay & rights calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the current pay rates under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020?

  As at 1 July 2025 (following the 3.5% Annual Wage Review increase), Transport Worker Grade 1 earns AUD $25.65/hour and Grade 10 earns AUD $30.12/hour. Distribution Facility Levels 1–4 range from AUD $26.57 to AUD $29.39/hour. Oil distribution workers use a 35-hour ordinary week, with Grade 1 at AUD $27.85/hour.

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020?

  The award applies the NES genuine redundancy scale under Fair Work Act 2009, Schedule 4. Entitlement ranges from 4 weeks' pay for 1 year of service up to a maximum of 16 weeks (for 9 years), with 10+ years capped at 12 weeks. The award does not enhance redundancy above the NES minimum. Small business employers (fewer than 15 employees) are exempt.

• How many days annual leave do road transport and distribution workers get?

  Full-time employees are entitled to 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year under the NES (Fair Work Act 2009 s.87). Genuine continuous shiftworkers are entitled to 5 weeks. Annual leave loading is the greater of 17.5% of base pay or the applicable weekend/shift penalty rate.

• What is the notice period under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020?

  The award follows the NES minimum notice scale under Fair Work Act 2009 s.117: 1 week for less than 1 year's service, 2 weeks for 1–3 years, 3 weeks for 3–5 years, and 4 weeks for 5+ years. Employees aged 45 or over with at least 2 years of service receive an additional 1-week supplement.

• How much superannuation does my employer have to pay under this award?

  Employers must pay the Superannuation Guarantee rate of 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025 (Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992). This is an employer contribution on top of wages. Named default funds include Team Super, CareSuper, Australian Retirement Trust, and AustralianSuper. You may choose your own fund under Fair Work Act s.149A.

• Does the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 provide casual loading?

  Yes. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base ordinary hourly rate (NES s.67B, effective 26 August 2022). During overtime, casuals receive the overtime rate plus 10% of the minimum hourly rate instead of stacking the 25% loading. The minimum engagement for casual employees is 4 hours.

• Can I be made redundant as a casual employee under this award?

  Casual employees do not generally have access to NES redundancy pay or unfair dismissal protections unless they are 'regular and systematic' casuals who have been employed for at least 12 months (6 months for large employers). If you have become a regular and systematic casual under the new pathway provisions, you may have certain conversion rights and access to protections. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or the TWU for advice.

• What is the minimum wage under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020?

  The minimum rate under the award is AUD $25.65/hour (Grade 1 transport worker, effective 1 July 2025), which is above the National Minimum Wage of AUD $24.10/hour. Employees under 19 years are paid 70% of the adult rate, rising to 80% at age 19 and 100% at age 20 — except sole vehicle drivers aged 18+ who always receive the full adult rate.