Tip Truck Code of Practice

The Tip Truck Code of Practice (the Code) sets out best practice to follow when tip truck owner drivers are engaged on building and construction sites in Victoria.

Adhering to best practice improves the working conditions of tip truck drivers, allowing them to operate safely and efficiently. This benefits the whole industry.

Hirers who pay tip truck owner drivers in accordance with the Code can be confident they are paying rates that will enable owner drivers to operate their businesses safely and sustainably.

Download a copy of the Code:

Understanding business costs

Our tip truck rates and costs schedules set out the typical operating costs of an owner driver business, based on the type of tip truck a driver operates. They include variable costs such as fuel and tyres, and fixed costs such as registration, finance and insurance.

Tip truck owner drivers and hirers can use the schedule to gain a better understanding of:

  • the factors that affect operating costs
  • the amount a driver could expect to earn as an employee doing the same kind of work

Rates and costs schedules do not set minimum rates of pay. They aim to help owner drivers and hirers understand the typical operating costs of an owner driver business. Hirers and owner drivers can use them to assess whether an offer of work will:

  • cover operating costs
  • provide a good return for the driver's labour
  • provide a good return on the owner driver’s investment

Rates and costs schedules are also available for several other road freight vehicle types.

Minimum pay rates for tip trucks on Government projects

Tip truck owner drivers working on construction projects funded by the Victorian Government are entitled to minimum rates of pay.  

The minimum hourly rates are based on the rates and costs schedules. These rates apply to all tip truck owner drivers engaged on Government-funded construction projects awarded on or after 27 August 2018. They apply whether drivers are engaged directly by the contractor or indirectly through one or more subcontractors.

For more information, read the Department of Treasury and Finance's Fact Sheets for Public Construction Procurement.

Obligations to provide information booklet and schedules

Hirers that engage a tip truck owner driver to perform excavation work in the building and construction industry (regardless of how long they will be engaged for) must make sure they give the tip truck owner driver:

  • the Owner Driver Information Booklet
  • the rates and costs schedule that relates to their vehicle

Hirers must do this at least 3 business days before the owner driver is engaged.

This information does not need to be provided for any subsequent engagements with the same hirer, unless the information booklet or rates and costs schedules are revised. The relevant rates and costs schedule will need to be provided again if the time between engagements is more than 12 months.

If the tip truck owner driver is engaged through a freight broker, then the freight broker must provide the relevant rates and costs schedule and information booklet instead.

Hirers and freight brokers may face penalties if they fail to meet these obligations. Learn more about the legal obligations of hirers and freight brokers under the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contracts Act 2005.

Download a copy of the information booklet:

2023-24 rates and cost schedules for tip truck owner drivers

Access to dispute resolution

Under the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005, hirers, owner drivers and forestry contractors can contact the Victorian Small Business Commission to arrange fast and low-cost alternative dispute resolution if disagreements arise. The dispute resolution process can be used for disputes arising under or in relation to the Act, the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Code of Practice, or in relation to a contract.

Disputes that are not resolved by the Small Business Commission may be referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for determination.

Wage Inspectorate Victoria

Wage Inspectorate Victoria is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005.

If you have any questions, Wage Inspectorate Victoria is available to provide information and answer queries. Please call the Information Line on 1800 287 287 or email odfc@dpc.vic.gov.au

Make a complaint

If you have a complaint relating to a transport or forestry contract engagement, you can report it using the Wage Inspectorate complaint form.

You also have the option to make an anonymous report if you suspect someone is breaking the rules relating to owner drivers or contractors but you don’t want to provide personal information.

Can’t find the information you need?

Please call the Wage Inspectorate Information Line on 1800 287 287 or email odfc@dpc.vic.gov.au