Driving the Future: Why Australia’s Trucking Industry Needs a Youth Revolution

🛣️ Introduction: Australia’s Trucking Industry at a Crossroads

For decades, the image of the Aussie truckie has been romanticized in song and story — the rugged individual hauling freight through the vast and dusty interior.

But while the legacy of life behind the wheel may still inspire nostalgia, the road ahead for the road freight industry in Australia is far less certain.

A new report from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has revealed over 28,000 heavy-vehicle driving positions remain unfilled, with fewer than 5% of drivers aged under 25. As older drivers approach retirement, the pipeline of young talent is running dry.

This growing gap has sparked urgent calls for reform across policy, education, and recruitment.

📊 Quick Facts:

• 28,000 heavy-vehicle roles went unfilled last year.

• Nearly 50% of drivers are over 55.

•  Only 5% are under 25.

This generational imbalance poses a critical threat to Australia’s freight reliability, supply chain continuity, and the nation’s economic infrastructure.

Without decisive action, the wheels of commerce may soon grind to a halt.

🧓 A Ticking Clock: Ageing Workforce Signals Urgency

According to Wade Lewis, Vice President of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA), the shortage is more than a staffing issue — it’s a national economic risk:

“The pressure on our supply chains is going to increase exponentially over the next five to ten years as older drivers retire. Unless we act now, we’ll be facing serious logistical disruptions.”

Lewis emphasized the essential role trucking plays in every aspect of Australian life:

“The only thing not delivered by a truck is a baby — and that’s not far from the truth.”

With nearly half the workforce nearing retirement, succession planning is no longer optional — it’s urgent.

🌱 Building a New Generation: Passion Meets Profession

At the heart of the conversation is the need to inspire young Australians to consider trucking as a viable, fulfilling, and profitable career path.

One shining example is Tim Mitton, a 33-year-old hay and wool carter from West Wyalong.

Mitton was recently crowned New South Wales Young Driver of the Year (2025) — proof that with the right support, the next generation can thrive behind the wheel.

“It’s a passion,” Mitton said. “You miss a couple of days, and you’re itching to get back. The roads change, the destinations vary, and the people you meet all have stories. It never gets dull.”

His success story contrasts with the broader trend of declining youth interest, highlighting both the potential and the problem.

Lewis added that young drivers like Mitton could comfortably earn between $120,000 and $150,000 annually, with regulated hours ensuring safety and work-life balance.

🧱 Structural Barriers: Why Isn’t Truck Driving a Recognized Trade?

Despite the job’s complexity and economic impact, heavy-vehicle driving in Australia is not formally recognized as a trade or profession.

This oversight prevents the development of apprenticeships, traineeships, or nationally accredited qualifications — a major deterrent for young entrants.

“We’ve asked over and over, but we can’t get a clear answer,” said Lewis. “Why won’t they recognize it as a profession? This is one of the biggest hurdles preventing industry growth.”

In response, industry advocates are urging the government to introduce formal career pathways, including:

• Accredited training programs

• School-to-industry cadetships

• Partnerships with vocational institutes

Until these are implemented, young people will continue to overlook trucking, even as demand for freight drivers reaches record highs.

⚖️ Legislative Momentum: Closing Loopholes, Opening Opportunities

In 2024, the Australian federal government introduced the Closing Loopholes reform, granting the Fair Work Commission new authority to establish minimum standards for road transport workers.

This includes:

• Minimum and timely payment standards

• Rules for cost recovery

• Mandated consultation processes

However, Michael Kaine, national secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), cautioned that legislation means little unless backed by enforcement:

“Laws are just words on paper. They need substance. We’re hearing from operators waiting six to eighteen months to be paid — that’s unacceptable.”

Kaine insists these reforms must be enforced to create a sustainable, safe, and attractive industry that offers real quality jobs for future generations.

🚺 Gender Gap: Where Are the Female Drivers?

Another area of concern is the extreme gender imbalance within the trucking workforce.

Despite incremental progress, the number of female truck drivers remains staggeringly low — partly due to safety concerns, cultural perceptions, and a lack of visible role models.

The NSW Freight Policy Reform Program, launched in January 2024, acknowledged:

• Low female representation

• A challenging and male-dominated work environment

• Limited public awareness of career pathways

Experts argue that addressing gender diversity will be critical in solving the driver shortage while also modernizing the image of the profession.

“If we want a sustainable future, we can’t afford to ignore half the population,” said Kaine. “We need to create a welcoming and secure environment for women in freight.”

🧑‍🏫 Education and Awareness: Shifting the Narrative

Part of the solution lies in changing perceptions.

For too long, trucking has been viewed as a last-resort job, not a skilled and respected career. Industry groups are pushing for a cultural shift, which includes:

• Introducing logistics and transport studies in high schools

• Media campaigns showing the lifestyle and income potential

• Mentorship programs pairing veteran drivers with young recruits

The goal is to reframe trucking not as a fallback, but as a respected profession offering good pay, travel opportunities, and job security.