Update — 31 October 2026: Reply submissions close Monday. The Fair Work Commission directed on 26 October that parties wishing to respond to written submissions or Road Transport Advisory Group advice must file replies by 5pm AEDT on Monday 2 November 2026 (4pm AEST in Queensland). This is a separate reply-submission stage; the initial submissions deadline of 4pm AEST on 23 October has already passed. The Commission has not announced a final determination on the proposed variation. Its MS2026/1 major-case page carries the 26 October directions, submissions and proposed documents. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms the existing order’s fuel-cost adjustment obligations stopped applying on 7 June 2026; a proposed variation does not automatically restart them.
Industry calls for renewed fuel relief
Separately, the Australian Trucking Association and NatRoad have renewed calls for government fuel-cost relief as operating pressures continue. In an ABC AM report on 30 October, ATA chief executive Mathew Munro and NatRoad chief executive Warren Clark discussed the sector’s concerns. Their requests for government intervention are advocacy positions, not announced new relief measures. They should not be confused with the Fair Work Commission’s separate contractual-chain proceeding.
Update — 23 October 2026: The consultation deadline of 4pm AEST on Friday 23 October has passed. The Commission’s proposed variation has not been confirmed as a final determination. The existing order remains in place, but its clause 4 fuel-cost recovery obligations have ceased to apply. Operators should not treat the proposed changes as binding requirements. WWTG will monitor published submissions, further directions and the Commission’s decision.
Owner-drivers, transport businesses and others in road transport contractual chains have until 4pm AEST on Friday 23 October 2026 to comment on proposed changes to the Fair Work Commission’s fuel-cost recovery order.
On 16 October, the Commission’s Road Transport Industry Expert Panel published a notice of intent, draft determination, marked-up draft order and fact sheet following its 9 October review hearing. The changes are proposals, not rules already in force.
What is being considered?
The Expert Panel is reviewing the operation of the Road Transport Contractual Chain Order – Fuel Cost Recovery – 2026, originally made on 20 April. The order addresses the recovery of fuel-cost increases along chains of road transport contracts.
The Commission’s case history states that the rate-adjustment obligations in clause 4 ceased to apply following a reduction in diesel prices earlier this year, although the order itself was not revoked. Stakeholders should not assume that those obligations have already restarted merely because a new draft has been issued.
The proposed variation materials address the operation of fuel-cost adjustments. Anyone potentially affected should examine the marked-up draft order, proposed determination and fact sheet rather than relying on summaries when considering contractual obligations.
How to have a say
The Commission is inviting submissions from workers, businesses and other stakeholders. Its 16 October notice confirms the deadline of 4pm AEST, Friday 23 October 2026. The major-case page provides submission instructions and the relevant documents.
For operators and customers, the immediate distinction is between an existing order, obligations that ceased applying under its current terms, and a proposed variation still under consultation. Any final obligations will depend on the Commission’s subsequent decision and operative text.
Primary sources: Fair Work Commission, consultation announcement, 16 October 2026; major case MS2026/1.