An ageing workforce and preconceptions about the transport industry are helping create a nationwide truck driver shortage that has serious implications for Australia's economy.

Key points: The trucking industry wants to create a career path for truck drivers

The trucking industry wants to create a career path for truck drivers Industry warns that a shortage of truck drivers could push up the cost of transport

Industry warns that a shortage of truck drivers could push up the cost of transport A truck driver shortage has the biggest impact in regional areas

In Victoria alone, it is estimated up to 5,000 additional drivers are needed to help meet shortfalls.

Australian Trucking Association board member Julie Russell, who also runs a trucking company, said there were a number of factors behind the shortage.

"It's an ageing workforce — someone coming straight out of school, if they did want to drive a truck as a career, the licensing prevents them from coming straight out of school and being able to do that," Ms Russell said.

"If they've got to wait they'll go and find another career.

"You've got limitations of being able to get the volume through to replace the people that are leaving … plus the extra people to keep up with the demand that's coming through and job opportunities."

She said the industry was trying to work on ways to improve training, pathways from school, and the licensing system to create the next wave of skilled truck drivers.

But truck driving also has an image problem, Ms Russell said.

"It's not necessarily a bad reputation — I think it's a stereotype," she said.

"There's so many opportunities in the transport industry it's just that people don't think of that … when they leave school."

Not a 'sexy' industry

Victorian Transport Association (VTA) CEO Peter Anderson agreed.

"They don't see that they can build a good career and a lifestyle out of the heavy vehicle industry," Mr Anderson said.

"People don't find it a sexy industry."

He said the VTA was working with the Victorian government to review the heavy vehicle licensing system, and was trialling new training programs.

"We've taken this issue very seriously," Mr Anderson said.

He said the shortage of truck drivers was going to create supply and demand issues, which he said would increase the cost of the delivery of goods.

"The supply chain will become more expensive as we try to find these drivers and entice them with better wages."

He said Victoria's current economic boom was inadvertently helping to drive the problem.

Regional Development Australia representatives say as many as 1,000 truck drivers were needed in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia alone. ( Supplied: Adam Meek )

"We're building tunnels in Melbourne itself (and) we're around about 500 tipper drivers short.

"They're a fairly unique type of driver as well, and not just anyone can drive a tip truck.

"We want drivers who are trained, competent and able to do the job from the day they start, and that's the real trick for us."

A growing regional problem

Regional Development Australia representatives believe as many as 1,000 truck drivers were needed in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia alone.

Bruce Anson, chair of RDA Barwon South West, said the flow-on effect of these shortages was dramatic.

"It's hampering the economy, productivity, and economic return for the area," Mr Anson said.

He said the RDA was talking to state and federal government representatives to point out "the economic impact this is having not only on the region but on Australia because most of the stuff that we produce in this region is exported".

"It's real money — it's money the rest of the world pays for goods that we produce, it's dairy it's timber and wool for example.

"People in Naracoorte (in South Australia) were saying there's difficulty in getting their grain and other goods hauled."

Councils in south-west Victoria recently signed an agreement with the Federal Government to bring 100 skilled into the region to fill vacancies in 27 targeted occupations, including truck driving.