Australian Trucking Association Chair Mark Parry has called on the federal government to provide financial incentives to apprentice and trainee truck drivers and their employers to make the sector more attractive to potential employees.
The concept is the first of the ATA’s first policy initiatives in the lead-up to the 2025 federal election campaign to fix the country’s truck driver shortage.
Currently, truck driving is one of the nation’s most shorthanded roles with over 26,000 positions unfilled.
“The ATA calls on the next government to provide financial support to apprentices undertaking driving operations apprenticeships and their employers,” Parry says.
“Apprentices should receive $5000 in support over their apprenticeship. Employers should receive $2000 after six months and a further $3000 after 12 months.”
Parry has also called for further federal financial incentive to be provided to promote the completion of short, upskilling courses.
“These short courses are supported by state governments, trucking industry associations or major companies, but there are no federal incentives for potential drivers to give them a go,” Parry continues.
“The next government should pay a completion bonus of $1500 to drivers who complete one of these short driver trainer courses. The driver’s first employer should receive a $1500 hiring bonus.
In addition to the inclusion of federal financial incentives, the ATA is also calling for the establishment of an industry skills passport and for articulated truck drivers and tanker drivers to be added to the skilled occupation list for migration to Australia.
“Our 2024 Workforce and Driver Training Summit called for the creation of a skills passport system so truck drivers could easily show they had the licences and qualifications they need, such as holding a dangerous goods licence or completing an NHVAS fatigue course in addition to their driver’s licence,” Parry says.
“It is [also] extremely difficult for truck drivers to migrate to Australia, except under very narrow circumstances.
“Last year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recognised articulated truck and tanker driving required a similar level of skill to a trade certificate.
“We welcome skilled tradies to Australia. We should welcome safe, experienced drivers from overseas too – although the overseas driver licensing system needs to be fixed first.”
“We’ll discuss how to do this at Trucking Australia 2025 in April.”
The ATA says it will be released further policy proposals as the federal election continues to get closer.
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