Addressing Heavy Vehicle Driver Shortages

20 March 2026

A National Heavy Vehicle Driver Action Plan to address Australia’s growing driver shortages has been drafted based on direction from the project Steering Committee. We are now inviting broader stakeholder feedback which can be provided in writing and/or at a consultation webinar to be conducted on 15 April 2026 via the links below.

The purpose of the Action Plan is to bring industry efforts together to:

• Create a clear, coordinated resource that outlines actions, responsibilities, and opportunities to reduce duplication
• Build consensus on where changes to government policy, new initiatives, or additional support may be needed
• Establish a focused program of work for ISA and stakeholders that complements existing initiatives and identifies areas requiring industry or government intervention

Why This Matters

Australia’s road transport industry, across both freight and passenger services, is facing a critical driver shortage. This challenge is already impacting the Australian economy, communities and the broader Transport Supply Chain. 

Truck driving is the ninth most common occupation in Australia, and heavy vehicle (HV) Drivers are essential to keeping the domestic economy moving. Without HV Drivers, our goods, food and passengers cannot get to where they need to go. 

More than 185,000 truck drivers and 40,000 bus and coach drivers currently support national supply chains and passenger transport, contributing $33 billion to GDP in FY 2024–25. Yet every state and territory is already experiencing driver shortages. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) Global Truck Driver shortage report shows a deepening driver shortage with 28,000 unfilled positions in 2024 - forecast to grow to 78,000 by 2029.

The National Heavy Vehicle Action Plan

The Action plan and its program of work are structured around four priority areas.

• Priority area 1: Elevate perceptions of the profession
• Priority area 2: Improve the supply of HV Drivers
• Priority area 3: Improve training/licensing pathways
• Priority area 4: Retain the Drivers we have

The priorities are not ordered sequentially, or by level of importance. The numbering is for reference purposes only.

We’re Seeking Your Feedback

Industry Skills Australia invites you to review the Action Plan and provide your input. We welcome feedback on:

• The four priority areas
• The proposed program of work
• Any existing initiatives not captured in Attachment 1
• Any general feedback or insights you may wish to share

Your insights are valuable. Help shape industry’s efforts to address the critical shortage of Heavy Vehicle Drivers.

• Register for the upcoming Webinar on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)

28 July 2025

Australia’s road transport industry, freight and passenger, is facing a critical shortage of heavy vehicle (HV) drivers. This shortage has serious consequences for the economy, communities, and supply chains. A coordinated national response from industry and government is essential to tackle this issue effectively.

Truck driving is currently the 9th most common occupation in Australia. With road freight volumes expected to grow by 11.5% over the next five years, the demand for skilled drivers will only increase.

The Transport and Logistics Industry 2025 Workforce Plan highlights the wide-reaching impacts of the HV driver shortage, including delays in goods distribution, increased safety risks, and disruptions to passenger transport services. Regional areas are especially affected, as they rely heavily on road transport for essential goods and services.

Industry associations and employers continue to raise concerns about the shortage during ISA consultations. In 2024, roundtables led by the Australian Trucking Association and Senator Glenn Sterle focused on strategies to attract, retain, and develop the HV driver workforce.

This project will develop a National Heavy Vehicle Driver Action Plan that outlines the current state of the industry, the impacts of the driver shortage, and the initiatives underway to address it. The plan will also recommend future actions for ISA, identify areas needing government or industry support, and provide links to further resources.

The Action Plan will unite industry efforts to:

• Create a clear, coordinated resource that outlines actions, responsibilities, and avoids duplication
• Build consensus on areas needing changes in government policy, new initiatives, or additional support
• Establish a program of work for ISA and stakeholders that complements existing industry efforts and highlights barriers needing industry or government intervention

Industry Skills Australia (ISA) will engage with stakeholders throughout the project, ensuring all feedback is considered to deliver outcomes that meet industry needs.

A National HV Driver Action Plan Steering Committee, made up of key industry representatives, will guide the development of the Action Plan.

The Action Plan is expected to be completed by 30 June 2026.