This ‘ready reckoner’ provides the actual rates and allowances for the LDO Award with effect from 1 July 2010. It is expected that these rates will be increased by Fair Work Australia from July 2011.

Minimum Weekly Wage Rates

Grade 1 $626.60

(Range of capacity up to 8 tonne)

Driver of two axle rigid vehicle up to 13.9 tonne GVM

Grade 2 $638.10

(Range of capacity over 8 tonne not exceeding 12 tonne)

Driver of 3 axle rigid vehicle exceeding 13.9 tonne GVM

Grade 3 $645.70

(Range of capacity exceeding 12 tonne)

Driver of 4 axle rigid vehicle exceeding 13.9 tonne GVM

Driver of rigid vehicle and heavy trailer combinations with a GCM of 22.4 tonne or less

Driver of articulated vehicle with a GCM of 22.4 tonne or less

Grade 4 $653.40

(Range of capacity up to 24 tonne)

Driver of rigid vehicle and heavy combination with a GCM greater than 22.4 tonne but not exceeding 42.5 tonne

Driver of articulated vehicle with a GCM greater than 22.4 tonne

Driver of a low loader (as defined) with a GCM up to and including 43 tonne

Grade 5 $663.10

Driver of double articulated vehicle up to and including 53.4 tonne GCM (includes B-Doubles)

Driver of a low loader (as defined) with a GCM exceeding 43 tonne

Grade 6 $682.10

Driver of a rigid vehicle and trailer(s) or double articulated vehicle with GCM over 53.4 tonne (including B-Doubles)

Multi-axle trailing equipment up to 70 tonne capacity

Grade 7 $693.60

Driver of road train or triple articulated vehicle exceeding 94 tonne GCM

Grade 8 $710.70

Multi-axle trailing equipment

WAGE RATES

An employee engaged in a long distance operation shall be paid for all driving time:

• either by an hourly rate or cents per kilometre (CPK) rate
• the employer can nominate the method of payment at the commencement of employment
•  the method of payment can be changed with 4 weeks notice
• where no method is nominated the cents per kilometer rate shall apply

A. Cents per kilometre – Distances are contained in sub-clause 13.4 (b).

Where CPK is the nominated payment method, an employee is paid

• An amount calculated by multiplying the number of kilometers travelled by the wage rate per kilometer   as detailed in the schedule of agreed distances
•  the rate or allowance for any loading and unloading duties
• the living away from home allowance, if relevant

Where the hourly rate is the nominated payment method, an employee is paid an amount calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by:-

• the designated number of hours for each trip in sub-clause 13.5(c) or
• if the trip is not designated in in sub-clause 13.5(c), then payment must be for actual hours worked or
• the hours listed for each trip in an Accredited Fatigue Management Plan (FMP)

 In addition a long distance driver must be paid:

• the rate or allowances for any loading or unloading duties
• the living away from home allowance, if relevant

The minimum wage rates from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2010 shall be:-

Industry Disability Allowance

The rates prescribed above by this Award are inclusive of a 30% loading on the ordinary rate, which includes an industry disability allowance to compensate for the following:

•  shift work and related conditions
• necessity to work during weekends
• lack of normal depot facilities, e.g. lunch room, wash rooms, toilets, tea making facilities
•  necessity to eat at roadside fast food outlets
• absence of normal resting facilities and normal bed at night
• additional hazards arising from driving long distances at night and alone
•  handling of dirty material
• handling money
• extra responsibility associated with arranging loads, purchasing spare parts, tyres etc
•  irregular starting and finishing times
• work in rain

Loading & Unloading

Where an employee is engaged in loading and unloading duties, that employee shall be paid for such duties at an hourly rate calculated by dividing the weekly award rate prescribed by Clause 13 by 40 and multiplying by 1.3 (Industry Disability Allowance), provided that a minimum payment of one hour loading and one hour unloading per trip shall be made where an employee performs loading and unloading duties.

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 at night shall be paid such personal expenses as are reasonably incurred in travelling, which shall not be less that the sum $33.23 for each actual night spent away from home.  Provided that where the employer provides suitable accommodation away from the vehicle the employee shall not be entitled to the said allowance.

Other Allowances

• Any employee required to drive  a motor vehicle which is in excess of the limit in length prescribed by or under any State or Commonwealth Act shall receive an additional $2.88 per day or part thereof
• Any employee required to drive a motor vehicle which is in excess of 3.5 metres in width or transport a load in excess of that width shall receive an additional $2.88 per day or part thereof
• local driver allowance (cl 20.4) $8.10, per occasion (ie transferring between LD and local awards)
• any employee who is a recognized livestock carter, carting livestock as defined - $15.81 per week
• any employee who is a recognized furniture carter, carting furniture as defined - $15.81 per week
•  a casual employee shall receive an allowance of 15% when driving on the CPK or hourly rates and 25% when loading/unloading. A casual employee MUST receive a minimum payment of 500 ks or 8 hours as per the method of payment.
• Any work diary must be paid for by the employer, either directly or via reimbursement.

Dangerous Goods Allowance

• A driver engaged in the transport of bulk dangerous goods or carting explosives in conformity with the Australian explosives code by public road shall receive an allowance of $14.85 per day.  Bulk Dangerous Goods are those goods defined as such in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code as amended from time to time
• A driver engaged in the transport of packaged dangerous goods which require placarding by public road shall receive an allowance of $6.20 per day.  Packaged goods which require placarding are those goods defined as such in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code as amended from time to time