Truck driver shortage
- Survey now open
Have your say in the 2026 IRU Driver Shortage Survey
Add your voice to the 2026 IRU Global Driver Shortage Survey. Your response will help NatRoad build the evidence needed to advocate for practical support from federal, state and territory governments.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes, and responses from operators of every size and location are important.
Australia's driver shortage at a glance
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) Global Truck Driver Shortage Report shows the driver shortage is deepening worldwide.
In Australia, the 2025 findings point to a structural and demographic challenge: the workforce is ageing, and too few younger people are entering the profession to replace retiring drivers. A coordinated national response is needed to support operators and attract more young people and women to the truck driving profession.
positions unfilled in 2025
Up from 10% in 2024
average driver age
Oldest surveyed truck driver workforce
drivers expected to retire by 2030
of truck drivers are women
A large, untapped workforce
What needs to change
NatRoad is calling on governments to remove barriers to entry and help operators recruit, train and retain a more diverse workforce.
The NatRoad Road Freight Workforce Action Plan identifies the following opportunities to build a skilled truck driver workforce across all states and territories:
- Create a nationally consistent, competency-based truck driver standard.
- Implement the national truck driver apprenticeship across every state and territory.
- Create a national heavy vehicle skills hub with trusted training and incentive information.
- Introduce training incentives that support small businesses and improve workforce diversity.
- Reform licensing and training, improve rest facilities and reduce unnecessary cost and compliance pressures.
Previous IRU global driver shortage reports
2025 Global Driver Shortage Report
The latest IRU analysis covers 18 markets and shows that the shortage is structural, driven by ageing workforces, barriers to entry, infrastructure gaps and changing expectations of work.
2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage Report
The 2024 study covered 36 countries representing 70% of global GDP and recorded 3.6 million unfilled positions. Australia participated for the first time, revealing almost 28,000 unfilled heavy vehicle driver roles.
Why the research matters
NatRoad has partnered with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) since 2023, enabling Australian operators to participate in the global research for the first time in 2024.
The survey data gives NatRoad and industry the evidence needs to keep pressure on governments, and call for practical reforms, improved training pathways and operating conditions, and meaningful support tailored to Australia’s road freight industry.
Help shape the 2026 evidence
Help NatRoad gain the hard evidence we need to keep pressure on governments, advocate for better training pathways and operating conditions, and call for implementation of the National Road Freight Workforce Action Plan.
In under 10 minutes, you can share your experience to the 2026 survey and help demonstrate the extent of the local crisis and the action required.
Become a member
Join NatRoad today to start receiving regular updates on industry news, changes and information that effect your business.