Those of us in the industry know that all businesses rely on the road transport industry, whether it be for the transport of raw materials or stocking shelves in the retail industry. The supply chain simply can’t function without trucks, and road transport is responsible for at least the first, or the last, leg of every journey. Yet despite the essential nature of trucking, Australia continues to stare down a growing crisis in the form of a major driver shortage.
This year, NatRoad partnered with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) for Australian participation in the IRU Global Driver Shortage Survey for the first time. The survey helped prove the extent of the local driver shortage and showed the dire situation we experience here is shared with many other countries.
The survey confirmed what many trucking businesses are already feeling – a huge shortage of drivers in Australia, including over 26,000 unfilled positions in 2024 alone. Almost half (49 per cent) of Australian trucking businesses reported experiencing severe or very severe difficulty filling driver positions. When you consider the nation’s road freight needs are predicted to grow by around 77 per cent by 2050, the gap between supply and demand will only become a real threat to our supply chain.
A big part of the problem is our sector’s ageing workforce. Close to half (47 per cent) of all drivers are now over 55 years old. Compounding the issue, there are far too few young people entering the profession. According to the IRU survey, only 5.2 per cent of our driver workforce is under 25 years old – not enough to fill the jobs that will become available as the oldest cohort begin to retire over the next decade.
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Lack of gender diversity in our industry is also a clear issue. Only a small percentage (6.5 per cent) of all drivers in Australia are women, despite women making up almost half (48 per cent) of Australia’s working population. A 2018 study by the IRU found working conditions, in particular security and access to well-equipped rest zones, are the main concerns for women. So, how do we solve what is fast becoming a real and present crisis for our national supply chain?
We need to do more to showcase the positive aspects of a career in trucking. For many, it’s an opportunity for independence, good pay and a unique way of life. We also can’t ignore the need to modernise the industry’s image to make it more appealing to younger Australians.
Education and training are also critical. industry-led initiatives such as school-to-work pathways, apprenticeship programs and specific training for licensing reforms are already in the pipeline.
If we want to access the almost half of potential workforce that are female and see more young women like our 2024 NTI NatRoad Sam Sali National Young Driver of the Year, Jade Harney, in the profession, working conditions such as security and facilities will need to be addressed.
Finally, government acknowledgement of the essential nature of the road transport industry and support to ensure the viability of individual trucking businesses is essential.
The driver shortage is not an issue that can be kicked down the road any longer. It’s time for real action to protect our industry and our country’s supply chain by ensuring trucking remains a viable, attractive and long-term career option.
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