At the beginning of each year, I’m asked to share the biggest issues we expect to face over the next 12 months. This year I’d prefer to focus on the opportunity.
Trucking is a great industry with huge potential for growth. In fact, not only could individual operators be thriving due to consistently increasing demand, the growth of trucking is also essential for securing the country’s supply chain. It’s in everyone’s interest that trucking remains viable and operators are allowed to prosper.
The need and the opportunity are well understood within the industry. Unfortunately, while NatRoad and others continue to provide advice, warnings and solutions, we are consistently frustrated when it comes to governments implementing real change.
2025 has to be the year governments show genuine leadership, and make some long overdue and tough decisions.
Our members have made it very clear that operators are battling against the strongest of headwinds including the rising cost of living, escalating interest rates and increasing wages. At the same time, there’s a driver shortage of at least 26,000 across the country and there’s been no real productivity gain in the past few years.
My concern is that many operators have their back against the wall, and it’s going to take real leadership and collaboration from all levels of governments to resolve the situation.
Firstly, this is not about the business acumen of operators, and to suggest operators can’t manage their businesses is an unfair characterisation of the situation. These operators are up against almost impossible odds.
Secondly, all Australians should care about this. It’s not just about keeping businesses afloat; this is about safeguarding Australia’s supply chain and, by extension, our way of life.
The trucking industry is the backbone of the nation, and its stability affects every Australian—from getting food on our tables to the products on our shelves.
One effective measure would be the adoption of NatRoad’s proposed slashing of 90% of heavy vehicle access permits by 2028. NatRoad proposed this approach in a submission to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Productivity Plan 2024–2029.
The current access system is a major roadblock for trucking operators. Improved access means freight can be moved in fewer trips, leading to lower costs, improved safety, and reduced emissions.
Another obvious way to help the industry stay afloat is to finally sort out the mess that is the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
2025 will mark the seventh year of the review and there’s still no end in sight. While there seems to be some movement, it’s not in the right direction. For example, while 21 penalties are set to be reduced, 50 others are tipped to rise – some by as much as 100%.
Facing drivers with maximum fines of close to $30,000 is not the way to encourage more drivers into an industry crying out for more people.
The driver shortage is an issue that won’t go away and must be tackled in 2025.
There will be no quick fixes, and I don’t suggest throwing inexperienced drivers into trucks. We need a nation-wide approach that includes proper training and licensing, which is practical and consistent. At a minimum, drivers working in Australia need to be properly assessed and trained for local conditions, and must have an Australian licence.
A well-trained driver is a safer driver, and improving industry safety, improves safety for all road users. It will also encourage more people to consider trucking as a genuine career option.
There’s also no point just putting a band-aid on the driver shortage issues.
NatRoad’s National Road Freight Workforce Action Plan sets out a way forward. We need to fix the operating environment, so operators can meet demand while running safe and efficient businesses. Our Driver Shortage Action Plan contains eight key elements:
- Create a national truck driver standard
- Implement the national truck driver apprenticeship
- Develop a National Heavy Vehicle Skills Hub
- Introduce training incentives
- Reform licencing and training
- Deliver key actions in the ISA Workforce Plan
- Recognise driver skill levels
- Address other road freight industry skills shortages
I believe if the federal government acts in good faith and works with industry to turn these proposed actions into reality, it will resuscitate the trucking industry.
The challenges facing the trucking industry in 2025 are undeniable, but they are not insurmountable. The opportunity is worth it. With targeted reforms, bold leadership, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of the industry’s struggles, we can ensure that operators not only survive but thrive.
2025 must be the year where we shift from crisis management to building a sustainable future for the heavy vehicle industry. The time for waiting is over. The trucking industry—and Australia—can’t afford anything less.
