Rural freight sector releases blueprint for national reform

A rural driver training academy and a new incentive-based compliance model are just two of the ideas put forward by the peak livestock freight body to the federal government’s Economic Reform Roundtable next month.

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) said its submission to the high-level, Cabinet Room discussion convened by Treasurer Jim Chalmers positions rural freight as a “front-line enabler of productivity, resilience, and budget integrity — with real-world solutions built from the ground up”.

The ALRTA’s reform agenda includes:.

  • National High Productivity Vehicle Access System: End manual approvals and promote productivity for modern safer equipment.
  • 6-Star Trucking: A voluntary model rewarding operators who lead in fatigue management, maintenance, training, animal welfare, and biosecurity — with up to $1.1 billion in annual national savings.
  • Disaster-Resilient Freight Corridors: Invest in key routes that keep food and freight moving during fire, flood, or crisis.
  • National Truckwash and Biosecurity Infrastructure Plan: Developed with industry, not imposed on it.
  • Rural Driver Training Academy: Address shortages through structured national pathways and formal recognition of rural freight as a skilled profession.

The 6-Star Trucking model promotes budget sustainability through incentive-based compliance, the ALRTA said in its submission.

“Operators who voluntarily meet higher standards in fatigue, maintenance, biosecurity, training, and animal welfare receive tangible benefits while reducing enforcement burdens and improving outcomes.”

Economic modelling based on data from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), and Austroads indicates:

• Crash and fatigue risk reduction: $8000–$14,000 per truck

• Maintenance and insurance savings: $6000–$8,500

• Productivity gains from HPV access: $10,000–$15,000

• Total annual national savings: $422 million – $1.1 billion (based on 20,000 vehicles)

“The model is fiscally responsible, scalable, and consistent with the government’s focus on productivity-led growth and value-for-money investment.”

ALRTA’s General Manager Policy and Strategy Ashley Mackinnon said this isn’t a wish list – it’s a blueprint.

“Rural freight is ready to lead. We just need Canberra to back us in,” Mackinnon said.

“Our message is clear: Freight isn’t just transport. It’s economic continuity. Let’s give it the leadership it deserves.”