The Fair Work Commission will shortly consider a TWU application for a Road Transport Contractual Chain Order that would regulate payment terms (by essentially requiring that payments for road transport services are made within 21 days from the date of invoice), timeframes for disputing amounts payable and annual rate reviews in relation to road transport contracting work undertaken across virtually all road transport contractual chains in Australia (Payment Terms RTCCO).

The proposed Payment Terms RTCCO would also impose obligations on primary parties to take steps to ensure that contracts they enter with other parties in a contractual chain, or contracts that are entered into between other participants further down a contractual chain, contain certain terms relating to these matters.

The proposed Payment Terms RTCCO will impact organisations that engage road transport businesses, provide road transport services or engage road transport contractors (owner drivers) to provide road transport services.

Any party opposing the proposed Payment Terms RTCCO is required to file any evidence and submissions they wish to rely on, or alternative RTCCO or road transport contractual chain guidelines they wish to advance, by 14 August 2026. It will be the subject of a hearing commencing on 31 August 2026.

Australian Industry Group is representing members' interests in the proceedings.

Members are encouraged to raise any concerns or feedback regarding the proposed Payment Terms RTCCO in order to inform our advocacy in the matter.