For over three decades, Truck Moves Australia has built its reputation on integrity and fair treatment of drivers. However, this respected industry leader has increasingly found itself in an unexpected role: to advocate and ally for exploited drivers working for competing truck relocation companies.
Truck Moves Australia managing director Matt Whitnall says drivers regularly contact the company with alarming evidence of wage theft, with some receiving less than half their entitled pay – and in extreme cases, up to 75 per cent below Award rates.
“This widespread exploitation particularly affects older, experienced drivers who form the backbone of the industry,” he told OwnerDriver.
“These veteran workers, some with decades of experience, often feel vulnerable and uncertain about challenging their employers. Many simply endure substandard conditions because they don’t know where else to turn, creating a culture of silence that allows unscrupulous operators to continue their practices unchecked”.
Understanding the Road Transport & Distribution Award
The Road Transport & Distribution Award (MA000038) has been in effect since July 1, 2018, giving every operator ample time to become compliant. The Award’s fundamental principle is straightforward: drivers must be paid for every hour they work, not merely the kilometres they drive. This includes base hourly rates, overtime after 7.6 hours, travel and waiting time, and weekend and public holiday loadings.
Yet, despite these clear regulations being in place for years, Whitnall says numerous operators continue to flout the law.
“Truck Moves Australia has encountered shocking cases of drivers receiving less than $10 per hour with no overtime or penalty rates,” he says.
“These workers are simultaneously pushed to meet unrealistic deadlines, creating dangerous conditions on Australia’s roads whilst barely earning a living wage.”
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Empowering drivers through education
Recognising that knowledge is power, Truck Moves Australia created a comprehensive resource at www.truckrelocationindustry.org. This website provides drivers with tools to easily calculate what they should legitimately be earning under the Award.
By inputting their work hours and conditions, drivers can quickly determine if they’re being underpaid and by how much.
“We go further by offering to cost up jobs for exploited drivers, calculating what they should have been paid, and directing them to appropriate channels – including the Transport Workers’ Union and Fair Work Australia – to make claims against dishonest employers,” Whitnall says.
“This support is offered freely, even to drivers who have never worked for Truck Moves Australia, demonstrating the company’s genuine commitment to industry-wide reform rather than merely competitive advantage.”
Chain of Responsibility: Everyone’s obligation
Whitnall says Truck Moves Australia also highlights the broader implications of wage theft under Chain of Responsibility legislation. Customers who engage non-compliant truck movers to relocate their vehicles may unknowingly expose themselves to serious legal risks, including breaches of National Heavy Vehicle Regulator standards and potentially Modern Slavery regulations.
The company encourages customers to conduct supplier audits, requesting logbooks, driver pay records and written undertakings from directors confirming Award compliance. “Responsible operators welcome such scrutiny, while those who resist likely have something to hide,” Whitnall says.
“By championing fair treatment for older drivers and industry-wide compliance, Truck Moves Australia demonstrates that ethical business practices and commercial success are not mutually exclusive. Their advocacy proves that doing right by workers ultimately protects everyone in the supply chain.”
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