Australian Trucking Association wants to bring in drivers from overseas to plug a severe skill shortage
Skilled migrants should be able to apply for truck driving jobs in Australia to meet a severe labour shortage, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) says.
The lobby group has written to the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency requesting heavy vehicle driving be added to the Skilled Occupation List.
The move would allow overseas drivers to apply for 457 visas to operate trucks in Australia.
The ATA says the industry is under pressure from severe driver shortages due to a combination of factors including competition for labour from the mining sector, an ageing workforce and a lack of interest among young people in a career in trucking.
“While the industry has and continues to make attracting and training young drivers a priority, this is just not meeting the driver shortages already being felt in some areas,” ATA National Policy Manager David Coonan says.
“The ATA recommends that the [Federal] Government change the Skilled Occupation List to include heavy vehicle drivers in order for temporary, competent foreign drivers to supplement the Australian workforce.
“History shows that migrant workers benefits the economy and improve the standard of living for all Australia.”
In its submission to the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, the ATA says almost half of the current workforce in the trucking industry will be over the age of 65 by 2026.
It lists a number of reasons for driver shortages, such as the industry’s poor image, restrictive licensing regulations, high insurance premiums for young drivers and limited training opportunities.
“The industry has recognised that significant action is needed in order to keep Australia moving, since current recruitment policies are not meeting the driver shortage,” the submission states.
“Some estimates have indicated that the rate of recruitment will need to increase by 150 per cent in order to support the increased demand for road freight services and a simultaneous loss of retiring drivers.”