Truck Driver (General)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$98,800
Full-time annual
People employed
148,400
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Drives a rigid truck, requiring a specially endorsed class of licence, to transport goods, usually over short distances.
Specialisations
Scope note: Articulated Truck Drivers, Delivery Drivers and Tanker Truck Drivers are excluded from this occupation. Articulated Truck Drivers are included in Occupation 713231 Articulated Truck Driver. Delivery Drivers are included in Minor Group 712 Delivery Drivers. Tanker Truck Drivers are included in Occupation 713232 Tanker Truck Driver.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Drives and manoeuvres a truck into position for loading and unloading goods
- Drives a truck to transport goods to designated locations
- Communicates with dispatchers and other truck drivers to coordinate deliveries
- Maintains accurate records of goods transported, including delivery times and locations
- Performs routine maintenance on the truck, such as checking oil and tyre pressure
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
16%
Female rate
4%
Median age
48
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+1%
1,150 projected jobs
to 2035
+4%
7,652 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 4
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Driving Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Driving Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Specialist Driving Operations
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
786
ACT · May 2026
31
VIC · May 2026
401
NT · May 2026
40
SA · May 2026
209
NSW · May 2026
687
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Truck Driver (General).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - West
11,320 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - West
11,320 employed
VIC
+3.64%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - South East
7,854 employed
VIC
+8.86%
year on year
- 3
Adelaide - North
7,119 employed
SA
+16.84%
year on year
- 4
Perth - South East
6,004 employed
WA
-9.67%
year on year
- 5
Sydney - South West
5,483 employed
NSW
+9.68%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
152,400
Moved in from another occupation
19,910
Moved to another occupation
11,700
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 713131
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.