Professional truck drivers have long known the level of skill required to do the job properly and safely. Now it’s been formally recognised, with a jump in the skills classification list.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today released its new classification of occupations – known as the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia or OSCA.
The classification assigns occupations to five skill levels, ranging from skill level 1 (tertiary qualifications required) to skill level 5 (you need to have finished high school).
Truck driving was previously classed as skill level 4, equivalent to a Certificate II or III, or one year of experience.
The new classification adds a new occupation, articulated truck driver, which is classed as skill level 3 – the same as a trade qualified electrician or plumber.
The ABS describes the occupation as someone who drives an articulated truck, requiring a specially endorsed class of licence, to transport goods, often over long-haul distances; with listed specialisations including linehaul driver, livestock transporter, logging truck driver, road train driver, semi trailer driver and vehicle haulage driver.
Tanker drivers are also now recognised as skill level 3, with specialisations listed as milk tanker drivers, petrol tanker drivers and water tanker drivers.
Skill level 3 recognises the job as including at least two years of on-the-job training or at least three years of relevant experience.
Rigid and tow truck drivers are however excluded from this classification.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has been lobbying for this change in skill level recognition for truck drivers and was thrilled to see it has finally been actioned.
ATA CEO Mathew Munro said, “Our industry has always maintained that articulated truck driving is a skilled trade. The ABS’s decision has confirmed that view.”
Though Munro also expressed his disappointment that truck drivers were once again excluded from the Australian Government’s new core skilled occupation list for immigration, released earlier this week.
“The Government must now go back and address this glaring omission on the core skilled occupation list,” he said.
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