VICTORIAN Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson repeated calls for reforms to truck driver licensing and training regimes this week, saying the road transport industry had been calling for changes since the 1990s.
Speaking at WHG’s TechDRIVE roadshow in Melbourne on 22 October, Mr Anderson said the current accreditation model “allows drivers to obtain a licence with minimal training [and was] failing to attract and prepare the next generation of professional drivers”.
Mr Anderson called for a skills-based national driver accreditation framework to ensure safety and build a sustainable workforce, expressing frustration at the “decades-long delay in implementing reforms”.
An uneven playing field had developed in road transport, Mr Anderon noted, with the gig economy and sham contracting undermining both worker protections and the viability of legitimate operators. He called for stronger safeguards to ensure all transport workers receive fair pay, entitlements and safe working conditions.
Addressing the conference theme, Mr Anderson noted that technology was enabling operators to optimise freight movement, reduce congestion and enhance customer service.
“Technology is not just changing how we operate – it’s changing how we think,” Mr Anderson told the audience of freight operators, technology providers and government stakeholders. “From real-time data to predictive analytics, we now have the tools to make smarter decisions, reduce waste and improve safety across the board.”
Looking ahead, the freight sector needed to prepare for changes driven by population growth, the clean energy transition and evolving supply chain models, Mr Anderson noted. Infrastructure alone couldn’t solve congestion, “smarter planning, integrated transport solutions and clearways” were needed to keep freight moving efficiently.
“Ships and trains move freight, but only trucks deliver,” Mr Anderson concluded. “With the right technology, regulation and people, we can ensure our industry remains strong, sustainable and ready for the future.”