Female Truck Drivers Break Barriers in Australia

In an industry long dominated by men, women in Australia are challenging stereotypes and stepping up to help address a growing truck driver shortage.

Kattie, an Indigenous woman from the Northern Territory, started her career as a bus driver but transitioned to the trucking industry while working on the INPEX gas project. She has since progressed through various driving classes, now operating multi-combination vehicles like cattle road trains.

With her company, Billirrawarra Trucking & Training, Kattie not only drives but also trains new drivers—particularly women—creating pathways for others to follow in her footsteps.

• Women make up just 4% of Australia's approximately 200,000 truck drivers.

• A national driver shortage looms large, with an estimated 26,000 additional drivers needed across the country.

• Nearly half of current truck drivers are over the age of 55, making recruitment of younger and more diverse workers a pressing issue.

Efforts are underway to change perceptions about truck driving among women:

• Organizations like Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA) host events to celebrate female drivers and raise awareness.

• Industry leaders stress the need to diversify the workforce, not just to fill positions, but to make the industry more inclusive and resilient.

Warren Clark, CEO of the Road Transport Association, emphasizes the importance of recruiting female drivers to keep Australia's supply chains strong and sustainable.

Why It Matters

Kattie and women like her are rewriting the narrative in Australian trucking. By combining practical skill with community leadership, they’re not just filling jobs—they’re building a more inclusive and future-ready