Industry OverviewRoad Transport is divided into Freight, Mobile Cranes, Furniture Removalists and Passenger Services. The road transport industry has the largest and heaviest road-legal vehicles in the world.
Road Transport - Freight This sector includes all transport companies involved in transporting any type of freight, delivery services via road and truck hire with Driver and Pilot escort vehicles. It has been estimated there are 65,000 Prime Movers registered in Western Australia. The national total freight task is projected to nearly double between 2014 and 2030 greatly increasing the demand for heavy vehicles and Drivers. Currently it is estimated that 95% of Australia’s total road freight is carried in heavy vehicles (i.e. vehicles weighing 4.5 tonnes or more). Articulated trucks accounted for around 78% and Heavy Rigid trucks approximately 18% of total road freight. Road Transport – Furniture Removalists is a subsection of Freight and involves the transportation and relocation of goods and/or materials for homes or businesses via our roads. Road Transport - Passenger involves the transportation of passengers for hire or reward. This includes On-demand (including taxis), tourism, limousines, small charter services or regular passenger transport services (i.e. buses). The Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA) is responsible for the operation of all bus and transport services under the TransWA (regional areas) and Transperth brands (greater metropolitan area). In addition to public transport, the PTA also administers and manages School Bus Services (SBS); currently 853 orange school buses and 1731 independent licensed tour buses are registered for use in Western Australia. It is estimated there are over 2,200 taxis in Western Australia, half of which are privately owned, with the remainder being Government leased. This number is now far greater with the onset of On-demand booking services with over 800 On-demand Booking Service Providers available in Western Australia. Road Transport – Mobile Cranes are typically mounted on trucks and can be driven to locations (i.e. construction sites, ports and depots), to safely shift loads varying in size and dimensions. This sector is comprised of a mix of owner operators, sub-contractors and hire companies. |
Licensing RequirementsThere are licensing and certification requirements for many roles within Road Transport. The Department of Transport (DoT) and Main Roads WA are the entities responsible for licensing and regulatory requirements in the road transport industry. WorkSafe WA (under the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety) is the body responsible for High Risk Licencing (as is needed for Mobile Cranes). Click on these links for more information.
To allow for the introduction of ride-share/On-demand services, the Transport Road Passenger Services Act 2018 replaced the Taxi Act 1994 and parts of the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. Owned Taxi plates in Perth have now been converted to Passenger Transport Vehicle authorisations. Taxi car licences in regional areas will be transitioned to Passenger Transport Vehicles Rank or Hail (PTV-RH). The final stage of the reform to taxi and On-demand transport will take place in 2020 requiring Drivers who hold an ‘F’ or ‘T’ drivers licence extension to transition to a new ‘Passenger Transport Driver’ (PTD) authorisation. Visit the DoTs website for more information on these reforms and other requirements for becoming an On-demand service provider. |
Occupations / Skills in DemandThe following occupations have been identified as being in demand for this sector.
If you have queries regarding specific occupations or if you feel an occupation in your industry in not on the State Priority Occupation List (SPOL) please contact us. Training Councils are the first point of contact for feedback regarding this list. |
Road Transport Industry Profile
The LDSC also provides strategic advice to industry, government and other key stakeholders on workforce development issues such as occupational priorities or shortages per industry area, training or upskilling requirements and other industry intelligence of factors influencing skilling needs within Western Australia. To access these, please click on the links below:
Industry Infographics
For historic information contact us
Road Transport Training PackageAustralian Industry Standards (AIS) is the Skills Service Organisations (SSO) with responsibility for the Road Transport Training Package. In addition, you can also follow the links on their website to find more information regarding their Road Transport Industry Outlook and Road Transport Industry Forecasts released annually or to find out how you can be involved in the Road Transport Industry Reference Committee (IRC).
To ensure feedback from WA stakeholders has been included, the LDSC regularly provides advice and recommendations to the AIS on the development of Training Package materials as well as the development of the Road Transport Industry Outlook and Industry Forecasts. Please contact the LDSC if you would like to provide feedback or be involved in these consultations. |
How Can I Begin a Career in Road Transport?Visit the Road Transport Industry Profile section, above, for more information on the careers and skills in demand within this sector. You can also download our Road Transport Careers Pathway Booklet which details Case Studies and career pathway information for how you can enter this industry.
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