The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has released their 2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage Report.  

It revealed that there were nearly 28,000 unfilled heavy vehicle driver positions across Australia in 2024.

According to IRU data, 47 per cent of drivers in Australia were over the age of 55, and more than 21 per cent of drivers are expected to retire by 2029.  

The industry's workforce shortage is already impacting supply chains around the country.

Longtime Coonamble-based truck driver Robert 'Octo' Thomas, said he wasn't surprised by the statistics.  

Mr Thomas pointed out the barriers to entry for young people, including financial cost. 

"It's too hard for the young fellas to get into. There's all these rules are regulations and the expense of it is too much.  

"That's why the young blokes don't take it on, it's too hard in the transport industry."  

To become a truck driver, applicants need to have held a C class car licence or equivalent for at least two years.

They need to pass a computer-based Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test (a $64 fee) before completing a Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) to get a Heavy Rigid Licence, which allows you to drive a vehicle over eight tonnes equipped with three or more axles.  

The HVCBA is not done though Service NSW the same way a driver's licence is—it's only available through a registered training organisation.

These organisations set their own fees for the training aspect of the course. But applicants still have to pay Transport for NSW a $32 HVCBA participation fee and a $10 logbook fee. Heavy Rigid courses can range between $700 and $1500, depending on the provider.  

To drive a truck with a semi-trailer and other heavy combination vehicles, after getting a Heavy Rigid license, drivers need to complete a Heavy Combination Unrestricted (HC) licence course.  

HC courses can range between $1500 and $2950, depending on the provider.  

On top of that, renewals for a National Heavy Vehicle Driver licence can only be done for one, three, or five years at a time. There is no option for ten-year renewal like there is for a NSW driver licence.  

Twenty-five-year old truck-driver Evan Jackson said it was more than just cost preventing people from becoming truck-drivers.  

"It's just a dying art really. It's just of those things that people don't sort of have a passion for."  

Jackson's passion for trucking stems from his father, who is also a driver and has been trucking for 32 years.

However, he also recognises the issues within the industry.  

"You work long hours and spend weeks away from home, and people don’t like to be away from home.  

"I suppose it's just a hard job really."  

National Road Transport Association CEO, Warren Clark, thinks the Government needs to step-in.  

“This is a global problem, and the Australian Government must demonstrate national leadership by addressing the local driver shortage and improving road safety. 

“We need a Road Freight Workforce Action Plan including a national Truck Driver Standard, licensing and training reform and a consistent truck driver apprenticeship across all states and territories."