Industrial Awards Hub

National Employment Standards (NES) and Modern Awards

National Employment Standards

As a private trucking business in Queensland, the employment conditions applicable to you and your employees are provided by the Fair Work Commission under the Fair Work Act.

All employees have minimum entitlements provided for under the Fair Work Act. The primary entitlements are referred to as the National Employment Standards or NES.

Details about these standards can be found here: National Employment Standards

Modern Awards

In a trucking business, most employees have additional entitlements under a Modern Award unless the business has entered into a collective agreement/enterprise agreement. Modern Awards are generally either industry specific, (e.g. Road Transport Industry) or relate to specific role (e.g. mechanics).

To reduce confusion, where the Modern Award has not provided an entitlement greater than or different to the National Employment Standards, the Modern Award will refer to this.

The primary moderns awards applicable to trucking companies are:

Modern Award Primary Coverage
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 Drivers up to 500km, General hands and yardpersons, Distribution facility employees
Road Transport (Long Distance operations) 2020 Drivers from 500km
Clerks - Private Sector Award 2020 Administration
Manufacturing & Associated Industries & Occupations Award 2020 Mechanics

Modern Awards update from time to time and Modern Award pay rates are reviewed annually, in line with the National Minimum Wage (normally effective 1 July each each). Current Awards and Pay Rates are as follows:

  Modern Award Wage Summary Pay Guide
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020
Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020
Clerks - Private Sector Award 2020
Manufacturing & Associated Industries & Occupations Award 2020
Waste Management Award 2020
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020
Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020

 

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