Australian consumers could soon be faced with empty supermarket shelves as a shortage of truck drivers threatens the country’s supply chains.
According to the National Road Transport Association, approximately 26,000 additional drivers are needed to fill gaps in the trucking industry as the sector faces shortages across all types and sizes of businesses.
With demand for road freight in NSW expected to increase by 57 per cent by 2040, the association’s chief executive Warren Clark has called on national cabinet to take action now.
“This is not only a crisis for the trucking industry, but also for the national economy,” he said.
“The supply chain is the backbone of our economy. Without enough drivers, the entire system is at risk.”
According to a survey by the International Road Transport Union, nearly half of all drivers are over 55. This could lead to a greater vacancy problem as workers approach retirement age.
Furthermore, the participation of young people and women in the sector is very low: only 5.3 percent of truck drivers are under 25 years old and 6.5 percent are women.
The Australian trucking industry is facing a chronic shortage of drivers
Half of the country’s truck drivers are approaching retirement age
Clark says incentives are needed to make the sector more attractive to these underrepresented populations, while encouraging people already working in the sector to continue their careers.
This could include funding training programmes, encouraging pathways into the trucking sector, improving access to apprenticeships and improving general working conditions by treating truck drivers with respect at customer depots and delivery locations.