The Australian economy has never remained constant. There have always been ups and downs in the market. Many business niches that were doing great have stopped getting any business. On the other hand, many businesses that were not making any money got many Business Opportunities that has made them

5 Simple Steps: How to Become a Truck Driver & More Tips The supply chain in Australia has suffered a lot during the pandemic. This was due to lockdowns and staff shortages and even essential employees could not show up regularly at their jobs. The country has realized that truckies and other logistics staff members are the backbone of the nation’s supply chain. In this, the demand for truckies has shot up exorbitantly. The opportunities for good truck drivers have widened. States like West Australia and the southern regions have opened new avenues for truckies. Truck drivers in Australia are now paid much more than they were before the pandemic hit. The project job growth for the next five years is 6.5%. Also, there are more than 9,000 truck driver opportunities at the moment in Australia. Keeping this increase in demand in mind, we have designed a ‘step-by-step’ for people who want to pursue this career opportunity. Core essentials to become a truck driver The most important thing and the most rudimentary of them all is that you should be a good driver. Driving heavy vehicles is different from driving a car or a van. Other than that, you should have at least a driving license that allows you to drive a heavy vehicle. The bare minimum is the Light Rigid Driver’s License (LR). Some of the tasks and duties of a truck driver, generally speaking, include: ● Delivery of cargo and understanding the receipt system. ● Driving a heavy vehicle properly and safely obeying all traffic regulations. ● Understanding the documentation process and being acquainted with terms such as delivery dockets, timesheets, and timelogs. ● Knowing how to log events in the incident logs. ● Making sure that the cargo is intact in transit and delivery. ● Keeping a synchronous communication with the authorities as well as the other parties involved in the supply chain. The basic eligibility criteria There are some initial criteria that you’ll need to fulfil before starting your career as a truck driver. The first thing that needs to be done is to review these requirements and make a checklist of whether you qualify for them. Being a truck driver comes with its pros and cons and if you don’t have a knack for driving, it may be a difficult path ahead. ● Make sure that you have a regular state-issued license for a certain period of time (ordained by the concerned authority) before you even become eligible for a heavy vehicle license or a commercial driver license. ● Make sure that you establish a good record and hold no charges before deciding the kind of heavy/commercial vehicle that you’d like to drive. ● There are courses available for fatigue management that are very helpful in these kinds of jobs. ● To add to the previous point, a certificate II or III in driving operations can also be an added benefit. Meet the basic qualification The following enlists the eligibility requirements for becoming a truck driver in Australia: ● You need to be 21 years of age (18 in some states) ● You need a state-issued driver license and hold it for a fixed period of time. To do that, you need to pass the test and qualify successfully. For Victoria, this period is a minimum period of 12 months (Light or Medium) or 24 months (Heavy) ● You need to pass a medical examination at the Department of Transportation. ● You need to have a high school diploma. You can opt for different truck driving courses available across the country. Being a truck driver requires mental strength more than physical strength and these courses and training sessions are designed accordingly. With more than 1,96,000 truck drivers currently operating in Australia, these institutions that train them are also very experienced. Commercial Driver License A CDL is a must for any truck driver employed at a company or for a self-employed person. To obtain a CDL, you need to: ● Attend classes to learn how to drive a commercial vehicle properly. Look for institutions near you. ● Most states have a handbook which you read to study for the license examinations. The Victorian Bus and Truck Drivers’ Handbook, for example, is recommended for Victorians. ● Tests include (1) Awareness (2) Eyesight (3) on-road heavy vehicle driving assessment (Drive Test) (4) off-road heavy vehicle skill assessment (Reverse Test). ● After successful compilation, you’ll receive a CDL. Some states have rules where you’ll have to endorse your license after a year for a small fee. After getting your license, you can start applying for jobs. As a beginner, look for jobs where you can learn without pay and then move on to greener pastures. Apply for a job Apply for truck driver positions on various platforms such as Monster and Seek. Websites like Seek provide an in-depth look into what you can expect from the job and how other truck drivers are currently faring. The data is real time and is provided by the job holders themselves. Some of the industries that are always on the lookout for good truckies are: ●Removalists ●Mining ●Manufacturing ●Logistics ●Petroleum How much do truck drivers make? The average weekly pay for a truck driver in Australia is $1,509. However, it widely varies from industry to industry and how much experience you have. Also, the kind of vehicle that you operate also matters. West Australia is the highest paying state for truckies in the country with Queensland coming in at second. Port Hedland and Perth both offer a salary of more than $40 per hour. As a fleet driver, you can earn slightly more than an owner-operated setup. The highest paying company is Sydney Transport Services Group, as reported by employees working there. Other names that you can look up are Allied Couriers, William Adams, and Labourforce. Start Driving Now it is time to hit the road and explore this exciting and challenging new venture that you’ve picked up. Here are some things that you can keep in mind while driving a commercial vehicle: ● Always check out the weather report before a long journey. ● Make sure that your GPS is on. ● Be regular and diligent in your documentation and receipt. Make sure that your logs are accurate. ● Maintain a good sleep-driving balance. Do not drive if you’re exhausted. ● Make sure that you maintain a safe distance and keep your rear view mirror in sight at all times. That’s it. We wish you luck in becoming a gnarly trucky!