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 | Mechanics |
| Manufacturing & Associated Industires & Occupations Award 2020 | Administration |
