Long Distance Driver Wages Rates    
      The following rates are the Agreed Distance and Driving Hour rates per the 
Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020 - amended 1 July 2022.  Rates apply to Australia only.
The following is a guide only and does not acocunt for all conditions.  Check   www.fairwork.gov.au
  Step 1.  Choose a payment method            
   Chose Calculation Method:
 (Choose payment method )      
      The default agreement is payment by distance unless formally agreed.
  Step 2.  What grade of vehicle is driven            
Choose a Vehicle Grade:
    (Choose vehicle type from drop down)
      Select a vehicle and click 'calculate' and check the vehicle description covered in the grade below.
  Driver Award Wage            
  Minimum Weekly Rate      
Vehicle Description(s):
   (Rates apply to Australia only).
Agreed Distance and Driving Hours     
 per the Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020 ammended 1 July 2022.
The following is not the total transport cost for these routes - it is the minimum payment for a driver only.    
 Use these rates in the truck operating cost calculator to find estimated freight rates.
  NOTE:  Award rates apply to Australia only.  For the full award: click here          
  From / To   Route     Kilometres Driving hours   Minimum Driver Wage Payment      
Sydney/Brisbane
New England Highway 
950 11.6
Sydney/Melbourne
Hume Highway 
858 10.5
Sydney/Adelaide
Bathurst/Stuart Highway 
1367 16.7
Sydney/Perth
Broken Hill 
4044 47.6
Sydney/Darwin 
Charleville/Dubbo 
3987 46.8
Melbourne/Brisbane
Newell Highway
1682 18.5
Melbourne/Sydney
Hume Highway 
858 10.5
Melbourne/Adelaide
Dukes/Western Highway 
731 8.9
Melbourne/Perth
Western/Eyre Highway 
3407 40
Melbourne/Darwin
Stuart/Western Highway 
3749 44.1
Adelaide/Brisbane
Broken Hill/Newell Highway 
2015 24.6
Adelaide/Sydney
Bathurst/Stuart Highway 
1367 16.7
Adelaide/Perth
Eyre Highway 
2677 31.5
Adelaide/Melbourne
Dukes/Western Highway 
731 8.9
Adelaide/Darwin
Stuart Highway 
3019 35.5
Brisbane/Sydney
New England 
950 11.6
Brisbane/Melbourne
Newell Highway 
1790 21.8
Brisbane/Adelaide
Broken Hill/Newell Highway 
2015 24.6
Brisbane/Perth
New England/Newell/Barrier 
4314 50.7
Brisbane/Darwin
Roma 
3417 40.2
Perth/Adelaide
Eyre Highway 
2677 31.5
Perth/Melbourne
Western/Eyre Highway 
3407 40
Perth/Sydney
Broken Hill 
4044 47.6
Perth/Brisbane
New England/Newell/Barrier 
4314 50.7
Perth/Darwin
North West Coastal 
4027 47.4
Darwin/Brisbane
Roma 
3417 40.2
Darwin/Sydney
Charleville/Dubbo 
3978 46.8
Darwin/Melbourne
Stuart/Western Highway 
3749 44.1
Darwin/Adelaide
Stuart Highway 
3019 35.5
Darwin/Perth
North West Coastal 
4027 47.4
  Long distance operation means any interstate operation, or any return journey where the distance travelled exceeds 500 kilometres and the operation involves a vehicle moving livestock or materials whether in a raw or manufactured state from a principal point of commencement to a principal point of destination. An area within a radius of 32 kilometres from the GPO of a capital city will be deemed to be the capital city.      
  The following relates to the payment by kilometers method only:      
  Industry disability allowance                
The rates per kilometre are inclusive of an industry disability allowance of 1.3 times the ordinary rate, which 
compensates for the following:
1   shiftwork and related conditions;
2   necessity to work during weekends;
3   lack of normal depot facilities, e.g. lunch room, wash rooms, toilets, tea making facilities;
4   necessity to eat at roadside fast food outlets;
5   absence of normal resting facilities and normal bed at night;
6   additional hazards arising from driving long distances at night and alone;
7   handling dirty material;
8   handling money;
9   extra responsibility associated with arranging loads, purchasing spare parts, tyres, etc;
10   irregular starting and finishing times; and
11   work in rain.
Rates do NOT cover loading and unloading of vehicles by the driver.
Overtime allowance
The rates per kilometre are inclusive of an overtime allowance of 1.2 times the ordinary rate, which takes into 
account an overtime factor of two hours in 10 at double time.
Living away from home allowance
An employee engaged in ordinary travelling on duty or on work on which the employee is unable to return home
and takes their major rest break under the applicable driving hours regulations away from home must be paid 
$41.26 per occasion.
This will not be payable where an employee is provided with suitable accommodation away from the vehicle.
Note:
The wage rates provided here are the minimum rates but are not the full and comprehensive rates for all
conditions. It is the responsibility of the employer and employee to ensure that the correct and agreed award
rate and that additional allowances applicable are paid.
Check for your appropriate award and full requirements at: www.fairwork.gov.au
The rates in this schedule are not automatically upadated to the latest rates.             
Ensure you check that the rates used are the latest award rates.
Copyright © 2020 Freight Metrics
The award does not apply to all employees - see the Fairwork Australia website for correct award selection.
This sheet / page is not for distribution, 3rd party services or on-sale and remains the property of Freight Metrics Pty Ltd.
All calculated values are provided for information only and are not a quotation, contract or offer by Freight Metrics Pty Ltd.
The accuracy of all figures and prices is not guaranteed and is provided as a guide only.