The Fair Work Commission has made a time-sensitive Road Transport Contractual Chain Order (RTCCO) which will impose new obligations on organisations who, in broad terms, provide or use certain road transport services. The obligations will apply to businesses in the road transport industry, as well as a wide range of other industries.

The RTCCO has been made in light of recent fuel price increases resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. It will impose obligations on ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ parties in a supply chain to adjust the rates paid for road transport services to ensure that others in the supply chain recover the increased cost of fuel.

The RTCCO contains a small number of very limited exceptions, as well as deeming provisions which would have the effect of satisfying certain obligations in the RTCCO if parties have specified types of arrangements in place, as described by the relevant clauses.

The RTCCO was made after an expedited hearing and consultation process. It commences operation on 21 April 2026.