A series of ideas to solve the current truck driver shortage affecting Australia is being presented at a Ministerial industry roundtable ahead of the Jobs and Skills Summit next week. 

The Federal Transport Minister Catherine King convened a roundtable yesterday to canvas road transport views on skills shortages and regulatory roadblocks. 

National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) representatives attended the roundtable with a list of ideas to overcome challenges facing the issues, including skill shortages and job deterrents. 



NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said that quality and quantity of drivers is one of the biggest issues facing the industry. 

“It’s most acute in regional areas, is intensifying and isn’t limited to drivers, with diesel mechanics in even shorter supply,” Mr Clark said. 

NatRoad suggests more reliance on skilled migration to tackle shortages in the short term, accompanied by testing of those skills in Australian conditions. 

The fast-tracking of apprenticeships for heavy vehicles is also endorsed by NatRoad. 

“Requiring more competence at the initial stages of recruitment will add value rather than act as a barrier to more young people joining the industry,” Mr Clark said.

“The Commonwealth has put an apprenticeship on the table; we need a commitment by the States and Territories to a competency-based licence system that is integrated with the training system,” he said. 

While a Certificate III in Driving Operations was developed for national use, states and territories must determine whether they will add it to their training programs.

So far, NSW is yet to implement the course. 

Mr Clark also warned of the consequence of increased penalties designed to prevent fatigue-related incidents. 

“Natroad has called loudly for the abolition of petty offences that are perceived to be ‘revenue raising’ or of nuisance value but unrelated to controlling the risk of fatigue,” Mr Clark said. 

While fatigue controls are vital to the industry, Mr Clark said they are beginning to become redundant and serve as a disincentive to enter the industry.

“(Workers) responded that ‘enough is enough’ and that they intended to quit,” Mr Clark said. 

The complaints follow a rise in National Heavy Vehicle Law (NHVL) penalties, that saw some penalties rise by over $1000.

“Nobody is defending drivers who deliberately break laws and the aim is to deter dangerous or irresponsible behaviour. But the overriding principle must be that punishment is in proportion to risk. Being fined for minor diary breaches doesn’t improve safety,” Mr Clark said.  

In another bid to raise heavy vehicle driver numbers, NatRoad has also supported an industry campaign to enhance perceptions of the industry to attract more women, who currently number 3-4 per cent of drivers. 

Discussions from the roundtable will inform the Jobs and Skills Summit held next week.