Regulated worker minimum standards applications that may impact gig workers and road transport contractors

Road transport contractual chain order application – MS2024/4 – Explainer

We have received an application for a road transport contractual chain order.

This page is a summary only and is not a decision of the Fair Work Commission.

Visit the TWU road transport contractual chain order application (MS2024/4) webpage to read the application, submissions and other documents for this case.

Image	What is a road transport contractual chain order? A road transport contractual chain order creates legally binding minimum standards for regulated road transport contractors, road transport employee-like workers and other persons in a road transport contractual chain.
Image	What is a road transport contractual chain? A road transport contractual chain is a series of connected agreements for work in the road transport industry. The first agreement in the chain is between the ‘primary parties’. For example, this could be a distributor and a retailer. The other agreements in the chain are for work by a road transport contractor, road transport employee-like worker or an employee. For example, the contractual chain could include: a company that needs goods delivered a business that arranges transport services a business that subcontracts drivers for the transport company a driver who delivers the goods. A road transport contractual chain does not include deliveries to individuals for personal use. To learn more about road transport contractual chains, visit the about road transport contractual chains webpage or watch our animated video.
Image	Who made the application? The Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (TWU)
Image	What does the applicant say should be included in the order? The TWU wants an order that requires: contracts detail specific time frames for payments to road transport businesses and contractors payments are made in those time frames unless there is a dispute rate reviews at set intervals that take into account costs incurred by road transport businesses and contractors. These are just some of the terms in the TWU’s draft for MS2024/4. You can also find out more about MS2024/4 on our website.
Image	If a road transport contractual chain order is made, who and what would it cover? The TWU has asked for an order that covers specified persons (including legal persons like companies) in contractual chains in certain sectors of the road transport industry including: car carrying general road transport meat transport oil and gas transport waste transport. Phrases such as ‘road transport contractual chain’, ‘road transport industry’ as well as rules we must follow in considering this application, are from the Fair Work Act. Find out more on the About road transport contractual chain orders and guidelines webpage.
Image	Stay up to date Subscribe to receive updates when new information is added to the TWU road transport contractual chain order application (MS2024/4) webpage. You will be notified about opportunities to make a submission, includes key dates and deadlines.