The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) is calling for urgent national action on a reform package that could save the economy up to $1.1 billion every year.
At the centre of ALRTA’s proposal is the 6-Star Trucking model, a voluntary accreditation scheme developed by rural freight operators. The model rewards transport businesses that exceed baseline requirements in key areas such as fatigue management, vehicle maintenance, animal welfare, biosecurity, and driver training.
Economic modelling, drawing on data from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) and Austroads, suggests the model could deliver between $422 million and $1.1 billion in national savings annually.
ALRTA President Gerard Johnson said the proposal was a clear opportunity for the Federal Government to deliver on its promise of practical productivity reform.
“This is not theory; it’s real-world reform. We’re talking about safer roads, lower premiums, fewer crashes and stronger supply chains,” Mr Johnson said.
“The 6-Star model has been designed by industry with real-world conditions in mind. What we need now is national support to put it into action.”
A Broader Reform Package
In its submission to the Federal Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable, ALRTA has also pushed for:
- A national High Productivity Vehicle framework to replace inconsistent state-based access rules.
- A co-designed National Truckwash and Biosecurity Infrastructure Plan.
- A Rural Driver Training Academy to help close workforce gaps and formally recognise rural freight driving as a skilled trade.
- Investment in disaster-resilient freight corridors to safeguard food and supply chains.
Supporting Rural Supply Chains
Johnson stressed that rural freight is too often overlooked in big-picture policy discussions, despite its critical role in Australia’s $90 billion agricultural economy and more than 300,000 supply chain jobs.
“We’re not looking for special treatment. We’re offering a clear set of practical solutions that deliver for farmers, exporters and consumers alike,” he said.
“If this roundtable is serious about resilience and productivity, rural freight has to be in the room.”
The Economic Reform Roundtable held in Canberra is expected to shape the next phase of the Federal Government’s economic agenda.
