The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ labour force data shows that nearly 10,000 driving roles may open across the nation each year until 2020.

The data also shows that the workforce is experiencing an ageing workforce, with about half of the drivers (184,200 in 2017) set to be 65 or older by 2026.

Further, the Australian Government’s Job Outlook shows that the average age of truck drivers is 47 years old – up from 43 only four years ago.

The average age across all occupations was 40 years old.

Geoff Crouch, Wagga businessman and director of Ron Crouch Transport, said the shortage has been an issue at his operation for the past 12–18 months.

“Like many regional operators, we have a shortage,” Mr Couch said.

“Regional areas are compounded by the many infrastructure projects in metro areas – they’re offering exceptionally high rates of pay to attract drivers.”

Another contributing factor that Mr Crouch cited was the perception of the occupation.

“It’s not seen as a glamorous one,” Mr Crouch said.

“The industry probably may need to market itself better and get the message out there that it’s an extremely enjoyable profession.”

While Mr Crouch said ageing issue was a concern, he was positive that “a lot of work is being done by industry associations to facilitate greater recognition of truck driving as a skilled profession” to attract younger people.

One of those initiatives is the Young Driver of the Year by the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association NSW, which the 2019 award will be held in Griffith.

The initiative began in 2015 to address the “quality and quantity of drivers in the future to handle the freight task”.

The inaugural winner was Reggie Sutton from The Rock, who said it was not often he came across “other blokes my age”.

“It [ageing workforce] is an issue but I hope things can turn around soon,” Mr Sutton said.

“The hardest thing when I started was insurance – it was quite a high price to pay without two years of experience.

“But once you make it past those initial stages, the job satisfaction is there.

“I find the lifestyle good and it pays well – it’s not every day you drive around in the city one minute and then you’re in the middle of nowhere the next.”

Mr Sutton, 32, also said that the common perception of truck driving needs to be dispelled.

“It's like any other job – you don’t know until you try it,” he said.

In 2014, an Australian Government research about infrastructure and transport trends found that the nation heavily depends on road transport, with more than 75 per cent of non-bulk domestic freight carried on roads.

An Australian Trucking Association research in 2014 found this demand was expected to double until 2030.

As for government regulations, Wagga and Albury operator Mick Bodman said the number of regulations meant they deterred people from entering the industry.

“It’s an issue that the government really needs to look at,” Mr Bodman said.

“For example, you run the risk of big fines for making mistakes in your log books – who wants to work in an industry that makes you lose a week’s worth of pay?” 

Road Freight NSW’s CEO Simon O’Hara said making the training component of the occupation was a crucial factor.

“As a way to create more incentives for young people, the education and training needs to be substantive and not just a tick and flick,” Mr O’Hara said.

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