Australian truck drivers are being asked to share what keeps them in the industry — and what could drive them out — as NatRoad seeks stronger evidence to address driver shortages.
The National Road Transport Association is partnering with global road transport organisation IRU to bring Australian drivers into the Global Truck Driver Barometer for the first time in 2026.
The confidential survey takes approximately five minutes and asks about the realities of the job, including pay and conditions, time away from home, rest facilities, safety and the respect drivers receive at work.
For heavy vehicle fleet operators, it puts the focus on an issue that affects both recruitment and retention: understanding the experience of the people behind the wheel.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said the industry needed to hear directly from drivers to understand what needs to change.
“We know Australia has a serious challenge attracting and retaining enough professional truck drivers. If we want to fix it, we need to properly understand what’s happening behind the wheel,” Mr Clark said.
“Drivers know better than anyone what makes this a great profession and what makes the job harder than it needs to be.”
Looking beyond recruitment
NatRoad has previously facilitated Australian participation in IRU research examining driver shortages from the perspective of transport operators. This survey shifts the focus to drivers themselves.
That distinction matters for fleet managers. Attracting new people is only part of the workforce challenge. Understanding why experienced drivers stay, and why others leave, can help operators identify where working conditions and support need attention.
The survey covers both the positives of the profession and the pressures that can make it difficult to sustain a career on the road.
“We want to hear the good and the bad – what keeps drivers in the industry, what pushes people away, whether they feel safe and respected at work, and what would make this a better profession for the next generation,” Mr Clark said.
Building a stronger case for change
Mr Clark said strong Australian participation would give NatRoad better evidence to take to state and federal governments as it advocates for practical measures to address workforce shortages and improve industry conditions.
“Every driver who spends five minutes filling this out helps us build a stronger case,” he said.
“Strength is in numbers. The more Australian drivers who take part, the harder it is for decision-makers to ignore what our industry is telling them.”
NatRoad is encouraging transport operators to share the survey with their drivers and give them the opportunity to participate.
For fleet managers, the invitation also provides a timely reason to listen to their own teams. Pay, time away from home, access to rest facilities and feeling respected all feature in the survey, offering useful starting points for conversations about the driver experience.
Drivers at every stage of their career are encouraged to contribute.
“So whether you’ve been driving for six months or 40 years, we want to hear from you,” Mr Clark said.
The confidential Global Truck Driver Barometer survey is open until 31 October 2026.
Complete the five-minute driver survey.
