The mental health of the supply chain workforce in Australia will be a key focus of three-year industry-wide research project announced this week.
The initiative is being driven by Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (Healthy Heads) in partnership with leading workplace mental health not-for-profit SuperFriend.
Supported by GT Insurance, it has been designed to provide data insights into the mental health and wellbeing of people working across Australia’s transport, warehousing, and logistics industries, using SuperFriend’s Thriving Workplace Index, survey tool to enable year-on-year benchmarking, and actionable insights.
Melissa Weller, Director of Industry Relations and Program Management at Healthy Heads, says the research marks a pivotal moment for the sector.
“Since 2020, Healthy Heads has developed practical, accessible resources and programs to support mental health in our industry. Now is the time to understand the real impact we’re having and to take the next step in driving measurable change.”
Weller says the research will provide a deeper understanding of the current state of the industry, highlighting key challenges, pressures, and effective supports, enabling Healthy Heads to make more informed, targeted decisions around best-practice mental health initiatives and resources.
The research will follow a three-year cycle, with the first survey scheduled to open in February 2026. The first full report will be delivered in November 2026 and shared with the industry in early 2027.
The report will also feature the inaugural Transport Wellbeing Index, strategic insights from SuperFriend, and forward-looking recommendations for Healthy Heads initiatives.
Dr Natalie Flatt Ph.D, Chief Mental Health Advisor at SuperFriend, says the positive shift in industry attitudes toward mental health provides the perfect opportunity to introduce this project.
“The growing readiness for conversation shows that stigma reduction initiatives are working. Now is the time to build on that momentum – to focus on what will be truly impactful in supporting this industry’s people and creating workplaces where mental health and wellbeing can genuinely thrive.”
Meanwhile, GT Insurance has publicly expressed its commitment to the initiative in a company statement, emphasising how the project aligns with its broader strategic goals.
“GT Insurance are excited to lend their support to this important research project which will benefit the people we insure. This project fits perfectly with the GT vision of being ‘all in’ to protect people’s livelihoods and our involvement will play an important part in our marketing strategy for 2026.”
The research project was officially launched at the 2025 Healthy Heads Industry Forum in Melbourne on 22 October.