42% австралийских логистов считают, что работа негативно влияет на их психическое здоровье

GUEST RESEARCH: 42% have experienced mental health impacts due to their job Microlise, the leading supplier of innovative transport technology in Australia and New Zealand, has released new research revealing 44% of Australian transport and logistics professionals are considering leaving the industry within the next five years. Furthermore, 42% say working in the sector has impacted their mental health, with respondents identifying “better technology to support the role” as the biggest factor that could improve mental wellbeing at work. The report, titled Australian Fleet Safety & Compliance Benchmark 2026, surveyed 200 senior transport and logistics professionals in Australia about their real-world experiences managing health, safety and compliance across their fleets. The findings point to a systemic mental health issue in the sector, with rising fuel costs, labour shortages and evolving compliance regulations exacerbating existing pressures. However, fleet operators are responding by adopting technology that enhances driver health and safety, simplifies compliance management and increases business profitability. The growing workforce challenge The research reveals that Australia’s transport and logistics sector is facing a growing workforce challenge, with 44% of professionals considering leaving the industry in the next five years. This is an alarming statistic in the context of severe labour shortages and a rapidly ageing workforce – driver shortages are currently estimated at 28,000, with 60% of drivers over 50 and 15% over 65 according to the Australian Logistics Council (ALC). Long working hours are the biggest reason professionals are considering leaving the industry (29%), reflecting the serious impact that demanding working conditions can have on physical and mental wellbeing. Difficulty keeping on top of compliance is the second-biggest reason (25%), highlighting the immense pressure that Australia’s evolving compliance regulations are placing on fleet operators. Following recent amendments to Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (CoR) regulations, Australian fleet operators are struggling to keep up. This pressure is taking a measurable toll, with 42% of respondents saying their mental health has been impacted by their job. Shaun Gray, Head of Operations - APAC at Microlise, says: “The logistics industry has reached a turning point. Professionals are questioning their future in the sector, faced with relentless pressure from skyrocketing costs, evolving compliance regulations and ongoing labour shortages. While businesses can’t take these pressures away, they can alleviate them with technology solutions. Our research shows technology adoption can also improve mental health outcomes for logistics workers. As a mental health first aider and strong advocate for better wellbeing policies across the industry, I see every day how better access to technology is directly reducing pressure on logistics professionals.” The research also exposes the broader challenge around workforce retention – 68% of respondents say their drivers feel undervalued by the public, revealing a strong disconnect between public perception and the vital role that truck drivers play in keeping Australia's economy moving. Evolving compliance regulations While most fleet operators are confident in their compliance processes, the findings reveal a significant disconnect between perception and reality. 89% of respondents say it is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to manage compliance, while 68% say they “no longer worry about compliance complexity as technology removes the burden”. Despite this confidence, over a third admit they still rely on manual processes for critical tasks like license and qualification checks and vehicle maintenance records. This suggests a sense of overconfidence in compliance management, highlighting that many fleet operators still underestimate the risks associated with manual compliance management despite the reality of regulatory penalties, operational inefficiencies and reputational damage. Manual processes are also placing unnecessary pressure on staff, with 22% of respondents citing an overreliance on paperwork and other manual methods as the top reason they are considering leaving the industry. “Maintaining regulatory compliance is an increasingly difficult balancing act. As rules continuously shift and requirements become more rigid, the pressure on fleet operators is intensifying, causing some professionals to consider leaving the industry altogether. Businesses that digitise and automate manual compliance processes using technology will drive greater efficiencies and reduce the pressure on their fleet managers who form the backbone of their operations”, added Gray. The research also reflects a growing concern over cyber security – 49% of respondents are worried about a cyber-attack on their organisation and only 41% are fully prepared to face one, highlighting that confidence in managing day-to-day compliance tasks does not always extend to data security.’ Technology is transforming safety and compliance Australian fleet operators believe technology adoption is key to transforming health and safety in their operations, with 81% saying technology is essential to keep their drivers safe. 83% also say advances in technology have made their drivers feel safer compared to five years ago. Given truck drivers are 15 times more likely to suffer a fatal workplace incident than the average employee, technology will continue to play a vital role in making the Australian logistics industry safer. When asked to identify which technologies are having the greatest impact on driver safety, fleet operators point to a broad mix of solutions. ADAS and active vehicle systems top the list, cited by 16% of respondents, followed closely by multi-camera systems (16%), daily vehicle defect checks (15%) and telematics and driver behaviour monitoring (14%). Businesses that embrace this technology early will demonstrate their commitment to driver safety, giving them a competitive advantage as labour shortages continue. Camera technology, in particular, is driving measurable safety and performance increases across fleets. 100% of respondents are utilising cameras in some capacity, with an average of 2-3 per vehicle, and 99% of respondents say that in-cab cameras have improved driver performance. Furthermore, 85% of respondents say AI distraction cameras prevented their drivers from having a serious road traffic accident, highlighting the critical role that camera technology plays in improving driver safety and the significant return on investment businesses are gaining from adopting this. “The future of Australia’s logistics sector is clearly tech-driven, and for many businesses, this is a now-or-never moment. Adopting this technology early is crucial to attract and retain the best talent amidst worsening labour shortages. Businesses that invest in the right technology today will be better placed to succeed in the challenging logistics environment of tomorrow” added Gray. For more insights into the technology shaping the future of Australia's logistics industry, download the Australian Fleet Safety & Compliance Benchmark 2026 report here.