The NSW Parliament has passed legislation amending Chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW), which regulates a range of contracts for the carriage of goods and people by road in NSW. The amendments significantly expand the scope of Chapter 6 to include:

• carriers operating small fleets of up to 3 vehicles
• contracts of carriage subject to long-standing exclusion from Chapter 6, and
• road transport “gig” workers engaged via a digital labour platform.

The legislation, substantial parts of which commenced on 9 April 2025, also gives the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW broad powers to set remuneration and commercial terms across the road transport supply chain, facilitate bargaining for contract agreements, and make contract determinations and other orders to resolve disputes.

The amendments are relevant to road transport businesses, digital labour platform operators, and any business that relies on road transport in NSW as part of its supply chain.