Truck Driver Shortage Australia: How to Start Truck Driving

Truck Driver Shortage Australia: Causes, Data and How to Start

Published: August 11, 2026

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Australia is short more than 26,000 truck drivers, and the gap is growing. Almost half of the country's freight businesses say they are struggling to fill driver seats, and close to half of the current workforce is already over 55.

If you have ever thought about a career behind the wheel, the numbers below explain why now is a genuinely good time to start. This guide walks through the data, the licence pathway, and how to get your HR licence with TDT.

How to Become a Truck Driver in Australia

Hold a car licence for 24 months. This is the minimum requirement before you can start heavy vehicle training in Victoria.
Get your HR licence first. Book a Heavy Rigid course with a VicRoads approved provider like TDT.
Build 12 months of driving experience. This makes you eligible to upgrade your licence class.
Upgrade to HC or MC. Move up to a Heavy Combination or Multi Combination licence to open up better paying and longer haul roles.
Consider the national apprenticeship. TDT's Certificate III in Driving Operations gives you a formal qualification alongside your licence.
Talk to TDT before you book. Contact TDT Training Australia or call 1800 350 320 to check eligibility and find a course date at a location near you.

How big is Australia's truck driver shortage

Australia's truck driver shortage is the gap between the number of qualified heavy vehicle drivers needed to move the country's freight and the number currently working, a gap industry data currently puts at more than 26,000 positions.

Figures presented to the Productivity Commission by the National Road Transport Association, drawn from the 2024 International Road Transport Union Global Driver Shortage Survey, put Australia more than 26,000 heavy vehicle drivers short. That gap has been widening for several years, not shrinking.

The same survey found almost half of Australian trucking businesses face severe or very severe difficulty filling driver positions. The main driver of the shortage is demographic, not a lack of freight work.

26K+

26,000+

Unfilled heavy vehicle driver positions nationally

47%

Of Australian truck drivers are already over 55

21%

Of current drivers expected to retire by 2029

~5.2%

Of drivers are currently under 25 years old

Jobs and Skills Australia, the Commonwealth agency that tracks national labour shortages, rated Truck Driver (General) as a national shortage occupation in its 2023 Skills Priority List, and industry bodies including the Australian Logistics Council continue to flag it as a chronic shortage occupation in their most recent submissions. Around 24 percent of the national truck driving workforce is based in Victoria, based on ABS Labour Force Survey data compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia.

Why isn't truck driving on the skilled migration list

Truck Driver (General) does not currently appear on the Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List, the main list that supports the Skills in Demand 482 visa. Industry bodies including the Australian Logistics Council have pushed for its inclusion, but as things stand, overseas sponsorship is not a straightforward option for most operators.

What this means for local drivers

With skilled migration off the table for most roles, Australian employers are relying heavily on local training pathways to fill driver seats. That puts new drivers who get licensed now in a strong position.

Ready to start

If the numbers above have you thinking about a career change, get in touch with TDT Training Australia or call 1800 350 320 to talk through your options.

The licence pathway from car driver to truck driver

Most new drivers do not need to jump straight to the biggest trucks on the road. Victoria's licensing system is built as a step by step pathway, and each step opens up more job options.

Car Licence
24 mths

Starting point

→

Heavy Rigid

→

Heavy Combination

→

Multi Combination

You need at least 12 months holding an MR or HR licence before you can apply for HC, and at least 12 months holding an HC or HR licence before you can apply for MC. That means most drivers reach MC within two to three years of getting their first heavy vehicle licence.

Heavy vehicle licence classes at a glance

How long does it take to get an HR licence? Most drivers complete an automatic or synchromesh HR course in around 8 hours in a single day. A non synchromesh, or road ranger, HR course takes longer, running 12 to 16 hours across a day and a half.

Licence	What it lets you drive	To apply you need	TDT course
LR	Light rigid vehicles and small buses	Car licence held 12 months	TLILIC2014
MR	Medium rigid trucks with two axles	Car licence held 12 months	TLILIC2015
HR	Rigid trucks and buses with three or more axles over 8 tonnes	Car licence held 24 months	TLILIC2016
HC	Prime movers with a single semi-trailer, or rigid trucks towing a heavy trailer	MR or HR held 12 months	TLILIC3017
MC	B-doubles, road trains and the largest heavy combinations	HC or HR held 12 months	TLILIC3018

Most drivers start with an HR licence before upgrading. TDT delivers HR training at multiple Victorian locations, with automatic, synchromesh and non synchromesh options available.

Want a formal qualification too

TDT also delivers the TLI31222 Certificate III in Driving Operations, the national truck driving apprenticeship endorsed by federal, state and territory Skills Ministers. It pairs your licence with a recognised qualification employers respect.

TDT delivers licence courses out of Hallam, Bendigo, Sunshine, Sale and Ballarat. Contact TDT or call 1800 350 320 to book your HR course and lock in a date.

Is truck driving a secure career in Australia

Job security in transport comes down to one simple fact. Freight has to move, and right now there are not enough qualified drivers to move it.

The Australian Government, together with state and territory Skills Ministers, has endorsed a national truck driving apprenticeship framework to help close the gap. That level of policy backing is a strong signal that driver training is being treated as a long term national priority, not a short term fix.

What does a truck driver actually do

The Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies truck driving under ANZSCO code 733111. According to the official task list, the core duties are consistent across most driving jobs.

Manoeuvring vehicles into position for loading and unloading
Loading and unloading using lifting and tipping devices
Observing safety requirements during loading and unloading
Making regular quality checks to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive
Estimating weights to comply with load limitations
Ensuring goods are stowed and securely covered
Verifying loading documents and checking the condition of goods
Obtaining certification of deliveries on completion

A career, not just a licence

Once you hold an HR, HC or MC licence you can move between local delivery, regional freight, construction supply, waste and recycling, and long haul interstate work. Many drivers use the shortage to negotiate better rosters and pay as employers compete for qualified staff.

Talk to TDT about your options

Not sure which licence class suits the work you want to do. Fill out TDT's contact form or call the Hallam head office on (03) 9703 2488, or the general TDT line on 1800 350 320, and the team will talk you through it.

Why the shortage hits especially hard in Victoria

Victoria carries a big share of the national truck driving workforce. Around 24 percent of Australia's truck drivers are based in the state, according to ABS Labour Force Survey data compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia, second only to New South Wales.

At the same time, Victoria is running some of the largest construction projects in the country. Every one of them needs a steady supply of licensed heavy vehicle drivers to keep materials, spoil and equipment moving.

North East Link

Part of Victoria's Big Build, with 6.5km of tunnels between Watsonia and Bulleen. The project is designed to take 15,000 trucks a day off local roads once complete in 2028, which means thousands of truck movements during construction alone.

Suburban Rail Loop

A 90km underground rail line circling Melbourne, with tunnelling works ramping up through 2026. Major civil projects like this rely heavily on HR and HC licensed drivers for spoil removal and materials haulage.

2025-26 Transport Budget

The Victorian Government allocated $7.3 billion to transport infrastructure in the 2025-26 state budget, a strong signal that demand for heavy vehicle drivers will stay elevated for years, not months.

Why Victoria's shortage is a training gap

The Victorian Skills Authority classifies workforce shortages into four types, based on analysis from Jobs and Skills Australia. In Victoria, the most common driver of shortage is a long training gap, meaning too few qualified applicants are coming through a Certificate III level training pathway.

This matters for anyone weighing up a truck driving career. It is not that jobs are not there. It is that not enough people are getting licensed to fill them.

Workforce share

Around 24% of Australia's truck drivers are based in Victoria, the second largest state cohort nationally.

Shortage driver

A long training gap is the most common cause of workforce shortages across Victoria, ahead of retention issues.

Infrastructure demand

Major Big Build projects including North East Link and the Suburban Rail Loop are driving sustained demand for licensed heavy vehicle drivers.

Train locally, work locally

TDT delivers VicRoads approved licence courses across Hallam, Bendigo, Sunshine, Sale and Ballarat, putting training within reach no matter where in Victoria you are based. Contact TDT or call 1800 350 320 to find a course date near you.

Truck driver shortage and career FAQs

Yes. Industry data submitted to the Productivity Commission puts the shortfall at more than 26,000 unfilled heavy vehicle driving positions, and nearly half of Australian trucking businesses report severe difficulty filling driver roles.

Yes. Industry shortage data puts the gap at more than 26,000 unfilled heavy vehicle driving positions nationally, and demand is expected to stay strong for years.

Yes. Almost half of Australian trucking businesses report severe or very severe difficulty filling driver roles, which means qualified drivers have strong job prospects.

Yes. Freight volumes are projected to keep growing while the current workforce ages, which is why government and industry are treating the shortage as a long term economic issue rather than a temporary gap.

The workforce is ageing fast. Around 47 percent of Australian truck drivers are over 55, only about 5 percent are under 25, and freight volumes are projected to grow strongly in the years ahead.

Most new drivers start with a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence. You need to have held an Australian car licence for at least 24 months, then complete a VicRoads approved course and assessment.

An automatic or synchromesh HR course can be completed in around 8 hours in a single day. A non synchromesh, or road ranger, HR course runs over 12 to 16 hours across one and a half to two days.

Yes. Once you have held your HR or MR licence for 12 months you can apply for an HC licence, and once you have held an HC or HR licence for 12 months you can apply for an MC licence.

Under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's Standard Hours rules, drivers can work a maximum of 12 hours within a 24 hour period, with mandated rest breaks throughout. Drivers accredited under Basic Fatigue Management can work up to 14 hours in a 24 hour period under stricter conditions.

Truck Driver (General) is not currently on the Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List, so the standard Skills in Demand 482 visa pathway is not straightforward. Some regions have Designated Area Migration Agreements that can include truck driving roles, so it is worth checking with a registered migration agent about options in your target region.

Because Truck Driver (General) sits outside the main Core Skills Occupation List, standard employer sponsored permanent residence pathways are limited for this occupation. Regional Designated Area Migration Agreements may offer alternative options in some areas, so specialist migration advice is recommended.

The data points that way. With over 26,000 unfilled positions, an ageing workforce, and government backed apprenticeship pathways now in place, demand for qualified drivers is expected to stay strong for years.

Related guides

Start your truck driving career with TDT

TDT Training Australia is a VicRoads accredited provider running licence courses from Hallam, Bendigo, Sunshine, Sale and Ballarat. Contact TDT online or call 1800 350 320 to book your HR course and take the first step toward a secure career in transport.

Chris Davis

Head of Sales & Business Development

Chris writes about trucking, logistics, and transport industry trends.

Great detail and experience very clear with instructions and rules to follow

Brad

2 November 2026

Tdt training is amazing. Friendly staff, Ronnie is an amazing driving in instructor thank you team TDT for making it soo easy.

River Man

I honestly cannot thank David Allan enough for everything he did for me during my HR licence training. When I first arrived, I was extremely nervous, stressed, and had almost no knowledge or confidence in driving an HR truck. But David completely changed that in just a few hours. The way he teaches is truly exceptional. He is incredibly patient, calm, knowledgeable, and professional. Instead of making me feel nervous about my mistakes, he made me feel comfortable, encouraged me, and explained everything so clearly that even someone starting from zero could understand. What impressed me the most was not just his teaching skills, but the way he treated me with kindness, respect, and genuine care. He believed in me when I was doubting myself, and that meant a lot. David is not just an excellent instructor, but also a wonderful human being. Teachers like him are rare, and I feel genuinely lucky and grateful to have learned from him. I would 100% recommend David Allan to anyone looking to get their HR licence, especially beginners who are nervous or have no previous experience. You will be in the best hands. Thank you so much, David, for your patience, encouragement, and support. I will always remember your guidance and kindness. You have my utmost respect and appreciation! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Charik Khindri

29 October 2026

David Allan is a great teacher mentor who care about students and wellbeing of others people on the road if you are booking for your test make sure they booked you through him very professional teacher

Martin Zigashane

27 October 2026

I had a great experience learning with David Allan for my HR driving licence. David was an excellent instructor who explained everything clearly and made me feel confident and comfortable on the road. He was patient, professional, and supportive throughout the training, making the whole experience smooth and stress-free. I really appreciate his guidance and would highly recommend David to anyone looking to get their HR licence. Thanks, David, for the great training and support! 🚛👏

Brendan Lawler

A big thank you to Tran at TDT Training for helping me with my HR truck licence. Getting behind the wheel of a heavy rigid truck can be pretty daunting, but Tran’s calm approach, clear explanations and practical advice made a real difference to my confidence. He was patient, approachable and happy to go over things until they clicked, with a strong focus on safe driving and good habits. I really appreciated having someone who could put me at ease while still keeping me focused on what I needed to learn. Highly recommend Tran and TDT Training to anyone looking to get their truck licence. Thanks again, Tran!

Jye Murray

26 October 2026

TDT TRAINING MAKES THE PROCESS COMFORTABLE AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND. YOU WONT FIND A BETTER TRAINER THAN DAVID ALLAN! IF YOU THOUGHT YOU DID, YOU’RE WRONG. GO SEE DAVID ALLAN AND THE GREAT TEAM AT TDT.

Nathan Rogers

20 October 2026

had a great time with this mob highly recommend great experience with great people

Mitchell Kemp

Thanks David and Vanessa for teaching everything to make a HR licence they are so helpful

navdeep sidhu

19 October 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommend David at TDT Sunshine! I booked my HR licence test through TDT Sunshine, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Before this, I had never driven a truck, so I was quite nervous about the test. However, David guided me through everything in a very professional, patient, and easy-to-understand way. His teaching and guidance gave me the confidence and skills I needed to pass my HR test on the very first attempt. He explained everything clearly, helped me understand the truck properly, and made sure I felt prepared before the test. David is an excellent instructor who genuinely cares about his students’ success. I’m really thankful for his support and the way he taught me throughout the process. If you’re planning to get your HR licence at TDT Sunshine, I highly recommend booking with David. In my opinion, he is one of the best instructors there. If you want professional guidance and the confidence to pass your test, David is the person to go to! Thank you, David, for your excellent teaching and support!

Saffal Singh

15 October 2026