Providing reliable insights on the Truck Relocation Industry
About Us
We are a group of industry members, that work hard to highlight issues relating to the drivers in the truck relocation industry. With many decades of expertise in employment in the industry, we have seen it evolve from a fragmented and adhoc service, into a more professional and safer industry.
Importance of Truck Relocation
The truck relocation industry plays a vital role in Australia’s economy, facilitating the movement of heavy vehicles from the sales and distribution networks to the end customers.
Who are the employees in the truck relocation industry?
Men and Women with decades of expertise in handling heavy vehicles, often they have driven everything you can imagine. The industry attracts these more expert drivers as there is almost no loading or unloading, no carriage of goods, no freight and no pressure to ‘make a mile’ and push the limits of legal driving and rest hours. The industry is not in a rush! We provide a service that safeguards a customer vehicle and reputation counts, so drivers who are safe and careful are the standard we like.
We’ll delve into the key aspects of the truck relocation industry, its significance, challenges, and future prospects and what to look forward to and what to look out for when joining the industry in Australia.

Safe Industry
It’s a safe industry and welcomes older workers who may be semi-retired, on a part pension or just keen to make a change from the grind of the freight industry and keep putting their skills to work.
Welcomes older workers
The average age of drivers in the truck relocation industry is 61, the perfect age to match your experience with a neat clean part of the truck industry that when done correctly, provides a terrific income, minimal risk of injury and the chance to drive brand new trucks.
How much do I get paid to drive trucks in the truck relocation industry?
4. Coverage
In short it meant all these employees now get paid for every hour driving and travelling to or from a pick up. As often happens in the truck relocation industry, you drive a vehicle utilising a trade plate from one state to another then fly home.
Driver Help: Want to know how much -link you should be paid?
The award guarantees you must be paid for every hour:
- You are driving the truck,
- Catching a taxi to the airport
- Waiting for a flight then flying and so on as well as other allowances for being away from home overnight.
- Any travel on public transport to or from a pick up or delivery
- If you are a local driver and only stay in the city you live.
- Moving vehicles for customers to and from dealerships
- Moving vehicles for body builders and customers in the truck trade
- You drive or travel
Don’t take our word for it, here are the facts...
Pay Guide
Road Transport and Distribution Award
Pay highlights to consider when joining the truck relocation industry.
Under the Road Transport & Distribution award that applies to truck relocation industry, the hourly rate of the highest grade vehicle you drove in a shift/trip applies for the whole shift/trip, even if it is the last truck of the day and only goes around the corner.

Average GRADE 4 pay rates
Grade 4 used as the industry average pay across the truck relocation industry.
Normal Hours = $32.65 / hour (Min 4 hours and max 7.6 hours)
1.5X = $41.79 / hour (first 2 hours after Normal Hours or first 2 hours on a Saturday)
2X = $54.85 / hour (thereafter any 1.5X or all hours on Sundays)
Night shift and start times outside of normal hours attract higher rates, as do Public Holidays.
The truck relocation industry plays a vital role in Australia’s economy, facilitating the movement of heavy vehicles from the sales and distribution networks to the end customers. Truck relocation services get trucks to companies that move goods and carry the country and keep the economy supplied with essential freight. From truck importers, truck body builders and truck retailers to truck auctions and any industry that utilises heavy vehicles to make things happen efficiently.
Some of the customers who use the truck relocation industry are the biggest commercial fleets, government departments, critical infrastructure utilities to individual truck owners, the need for truck relocation services arises for various reasons, including new truck sales, truck auctions, fleet roll outs for new contracts, heavy vehicle sales across all industries, fleet re-positioning, and more.
Importance of Truck Relocation
Commercial Fleet Management
For companies operating large fleets of trucks, relocation services are essential for optimising operations. Whether it's redistributing vehicles to meet changing demand or consolidating assets for efficiency, truck relocation helps fleet managers maintain optimal utilisation and minimise downtime.
Vehicle Sales and Distribution
Truck relocation also plays a crucial role in the automotive industry, particularly in vehicle sales and distribution. Dealerships often need to transport vehicles between locations to balance inventory or fulfill customer orders. Reliable relocation services ensure that vehicles reach their destinations safely and on time, contributing to customer satisfaction and dealership efficiency.
Fleet Expansion and Consolidation
As businesses grow or undergo restructuring, they may need to expand or consolidate their truck fleets. Relocation services facilitate the seamless transfer of vehicles, whether it involves adding new assets to the fleet or consolidating operations to improve cost-effectiveness.
Challenges in the Truck Relocation Industry
Logistical Complexities
Transporting trucks over long distances involves navigating a myriad of logistical challenges, including route planning, vehicle compatibility, and regulatory compliance. Coordinating the movement of large vehicles requires careful planning and execution to ensure smooth operations.
Risk Management
The transportation of trucks involves inherent risks, including damage, theft, and accidents. Relocation companies must implement robust risk management strategies to mitigate these risks and protect the integrity of the vehicles being transported.
Regulatory Compliance
Truck relocation is subject to various regulations and standards governing vehicle transportation, including weight limits, licensing requirements, legal minimum pay for all drivers and safety protocols. Staying compliant with these regulations is essential to avoid legal issues and ensure the safety of both drivers and the public.
Future Trends and Opportunities

Technological Advancements
The truck relocation industry is embracing technological advancements to improve efficiency and customer experience. Advanced tracking systems, telematics, electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles and route optimization software enable truck relocation companies to monitor vehicles in real-time, optimize routes, and provide accurate delivery estimates.
Sustainability Initiatives
With increasing awareness of environmental issues, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability in the transportation industry, including truck relocation. Companies are exploring alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and eco-friendly practices to reduce carbon emissions and minimize their environmental footprint.
Growth industry
The continued growth of the economy is driving demand for truck relocation services, particularly where the importers, wholesalers and retailers of heavy vehicles are needing to supply more and more heavy vehicles every year to existing and new customers for the increasing freight task. The truck relocation industry plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of trucks and vehicles for commercial and individual purposes. Despite facing logistical challenges and regulatory complexities, the industry continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and the growing demand for transportation services. As businesses and consumers rely on trucks for various purposes, the truck relocation industry will remain essential in supporting economic growth and mobility.
Industry News
Wage Theft Helpful Links
If your complaint is about pay, conditions or workplace rights under Commonwealth legislation, enterprise agreements or modern awards…
Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line (HVCRL)
If you know of a company that regularly breaks the law on safety, breaches driving hours or any other non-compliant and unsafe activity you should report them to the NHVR…
New laws from January 1st re wage theft being a criminal act:
Fair Work Ombudsman article about new laws.
Truck Relocation Industry pay.
On July 1st, 2018 the Fairwork Commission determined that the truck relocation industry will be covered by the Road Transport & Distribution Award 2010. This award is also part of the 4 yearly review that aims to rope in parts of industry, new industry and where things may have fallen through the gaps in the prior review.
All companies involved in truck relocation in Australia in 2018 were invited to participate in making submissions to the Fair Work Commission on how best to transition the industry. Only 4 companies actually became involved and put forward ideas on how to accommodate the differences between the freight industry and the truck relocation industry.
The FWC made the decision and the Fairwork Ombudsman regulates the industry.
