Australia is a rapidly evolving nation.
In the past, we were a nation underpinned by Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Manufacturing, with significant numbers of Australians employed in those industries. Today, our largest employment sector is Health Care and Social Assistance, with no signs this will change in the next few years given our growing and ageing population.
Another industry seeing continued growth, and now facing a skills shortage is transport and logistics. According to the Australian Government of Jobs and Small Business, the transport, postal and warehousing industry has grown 10.9% since November 2013 and will grow an additional 4.3% between now and 2023.
In a report released in April 2019 by Australian Industry Standards on the state of the industry, over 80% of transport and logistics employers reported experiencing a skills shortage with heavy vehicle drivers, drivers (general), educators, warehousing, supervisors and managers, listed as the most in-demand occupations.
The sector is facing many challenges over the next five years which will take a substantial collaborative effort to address.
Key challenges faced by the sector in the next five years:
- The aging workforce
- Skill shortages
- Retaining and training current talent
- Industry attraction and workforce flexibility.
As Australia’s leading provider of staffing and maintenance services, our clients and contacts face a recruitment challenge, where finding, attracting and training young workers to enter the industry is a significant and ongoing challenge.
Pay is considered the number one reason for a skills shortage.
The reality is, in order to attract and keep quality employees, pay is a significant driver. The Australian Industry Standards 2019 Key Findings Discussion paper, details that industry employers identified wages and low salaries most commonly as the reason for a skills shortage. Other reasons reported include a poor industry image, ageing workforce, cost and time to achieve the required qualification and competition from other organisations.
Programmed Skilled Workforce supplies many small, medium, large and global companies within the transport and logistics sector. We help companies address the key challenges they face by offering a holistic approach. And we want to ensure the future of the industry by recruiting a diverse range of people with various skills, qualifications and demographics across the many roles.
Transport award pay rates, particularly for drivers, are low in comparison to some other awards such as construction. Career progression is often limited and people move between companies. There is a lot to compete with when searching for quality candidates.
The average casual pay rates across the most common roles we recruit for via our 63 Australian branch locations.
Transport / Warehousing Market Pay Rates Guide – casuals
| Job type | Per hour casual rate |
| MC Driver – Interstate | $35-$39 |
| MC Driver – Linehaul | $34-$36 |
| HC Driver – Multi Drop | $32-$36 |
| HC Driver – Linehaul | $31 |
| HR – Courier | $29 |
| HR Truck | $29-$31 |
| Forklift High Reach | $29.50-$31 |
| Order Picker | $28-$29.50 |
| Counter Balance | $27.50-$29.50 |
| Pick Packer | $27-$29 |
| Store person | $27-$30 |
| Freight Handler | $25-$27.50 |
| Machine operators | $26.50-$30 |
| Factory and process | $27-$30 |
Transport / Warehousing / Distribution Market Pay Rates Guide – salaries
Salaries across transport and warehousing have increased over the past 12 months. We have noticed increasing demand for warehouse managers/supervisors and fleet controllers. We have also seen an increase in demand, especially across NSW and VIC. Many companies are struggling to retain talent, a significant issue when they are focused on operational improvements.
Average full time salary guide
| Role | NSW | SA | NT | QLD | WA | VIC | TAS |
| Warehouse manager | 75-110 | 57-80 | 75-90 | 65-85 | 80-110 | 85-110 | 65-85 |
| DC Manager | 85-120 | 75-100 | 80-110 | 95-120 | 95-30 | 105-130 | 70-90 |
| Operations Manager | 115-150 | 75-100 | 75-110 | 90-135 | 80-120 | 90-120 | 75-95 |
| Warehouse supervisor | 70-85 | 45-65 | 65-75 | 55-75 | 60-85 | 55-80 | 65-75 |
| Store person | 50-55 | 35-50 | 50-55 | 40-50 | 40-55 | 40-50 | 35-50 |
| Transport Manager | 120-165 | 75-90 | 80-110 | 75-90 | 90-150 | 100-130 | 85-110 |
Source : indeed.com.au
Figures are a guide for metro Australia locations
Programmed is a leading Staffing and Maintenance organisation, providing staffing, professional, technical, training and maintenance services across Australia and New Zealand with more than 20,000 employees supporting industry.
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