Australia’s skilled driver shortage of 26,000 operators has been a hot button industry issue for years. As it continues to unfold, the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has called for changes to Australian immigration law to be made to address the worsening issue.
In a statement released by VTA CEO Peter Anderson, he says “the shortage is so severe it threatens to disrupt supply chains, increase costs and impact the broader economy.”
Last month NatRoad issued a call to the National Cabinet to immediately address the significant driver shortfall, with a survey conducted by the regulator finding almost 50 per cent of Australia’s qualified truck drivers are over the age of 55, the average age of drivers in industry is 49, and just 5.2 per cent of drivers are under the age of 25.
Just 6.5 per cent of drivers in the sector are women, and the shortage only threatens to get worse in the approaching years.
“The VTA has long advocated for policies that support and sustain the transport industry, which is the lifeblood of the Australian economy,” Anderson’s statement reads.
“While there are many facets to addressing the driver shortage including training, better working conditions, and industry support, the reality is these measures will take time to have a significant impact.
“The most immediate and effective solution is to revise the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) to include heavy vehicle drivers as a priority occupation.”
Australia’s SOL allows individuals who are trained or work in eligible skilled occupations and meet all other requirements to obtain various types of visas.
There are 14 different visa types available under the scheme, with the current short and medium-term temporary skilled shortage list containing 508 professions including positions as varied as electrical engineer, deer farmer, helicopter pilot and ICT technician.
“Revising the SOL to prioritise heavy vehicle drivers would be a strategic move to address the immediate shortfall in the industry,” Anderson’s statement continues.
“It would enable the transport sector to tap into a global pool of qualified drivers, bringing in experienced professionals who can hit the ground running.
“This is not just about filling vacancies; it’s about ensuring the continuity of Australia’s supply chains and supporting the broader economy.
“Immigration has historically been a cornerstone of Australia’s economic growth, providing a steady stream of skilled workers across various industries.
“However, the current immigration system does not adequately reflect the urgent needs of the transport sector.
“Heavy vehicle drivers, despite their critical role, are not prioritised on the SOL.”
Several key benefits of prioritising heavy vehicle drivers on the SOL are included as:
- Economic stability and the efficient movement of goods, supporting businesses and preventing supply chain disruptions.
- Safety on the roads and a more stable workforce.
- Long-term industry growth.
- Regional development and supporting local economies to keep rural communities connected.
“The time for action is now,” the statement finishes.
“We must ensure our immigration policies reflect the needs of our economy and our people.
“The VTA stands ready to work with the government and industry stakeholders to make this vision a reality.”
Austroads recently received responses from over 1900 individuals in a survey it conducted into overseas licensed drivers on Australian roads, which found 85 per cent of people said a person should not be able to drive a heavy vehicle while on an overseas licence.
In comparison, 25 per cent of respondents said a person should not be able to drive a car on Australian roads while only holding an overseas licence.
36 per cent of respondents also said a person transferring from an overseas licence should first hold an Australian car licence before being able to obtain a heavy vehicle licence.
Read more ATN:
10,000 trucks per day to come off Sydney’s local roads
Transport industry ushers in new employee protection reform
Qube finalises $119 million company acquisition