Trucking has long been a major industry in Australia, which is a huge country that is dependent on haulage for transporting goods across the nation. There are huge double-trailer rigs that carry goods for 1000s of km from one end of the country to the other, and drivers typically work for a haulage company in a salaried position, yet that seems to be changing over the past few years.
Rising Cost of Living
Much like every other country, the cost of living in Australia is rising fast, and with growing inflation, people are finding it harder to make ends meet. Truck drivers are aware that they can make more money if they own their truck and contract themselves out to clients on a freelance basis, and this has led to a sharp increase in small business registration in the haulage sector.
Specialised Haulage
A truck driver can hire a trailer manufacturing company to build a specialised trailer that can be used to haul specific cargo, and they sign a long-term contract with the customer, which is typically a manufacturer or wholesaler. This might involve refrigeration units to transport perishable goods over long distances or custom-built trailers that accommodate large-sized cargo, and freelance truckers can definitely undercut large haulage companies, which typically leads to the freelancer getting the contract.
Contract Bidding
The logistics sector is highly competitive, and manufacturers and wholesalers are always looking for ways to cut costs, so when an independent trucker puts in a relatively low bid for a haulage contract, they stand a very good chance of getting the contract. This is especially true if the client has working experience with the driver/owner, whereby the driver used to work for a large haulage company.
Tax Concessions
A truck driver who owns their own rig can claim a lot of expenses, which makes it an even more attractive proposition when compared to being directly employed by a haulage contractor. When such a driver/owner sets up their own small business, their accountant advises them on what they can actually claim as tax deductible, and this can be quite considerable. Here are a few auto trends for 2026 to watch out for.
Future Development Potential
When a driver is directly employed by a haulage company, they are limited in promotion opportunities. Perhaps after a few years, they might be eligible for a supervisory role, but this would be rare. Setting up your own small haulage business, on the other hand, does offer huge potential; if the business does well in the first year, you could acquire another vehicle and hire a driver. Many of the large haulage companies began as a one-man show and gradually grew over the years into a national operation.
Government Support
If you set up a small business, you might qualify for federal government support, depending on your situation and the nature of the business operation. If you fancy the life of a long-distance truck driver, take a driving course, pass the tests, invest in a rig and register the business with the government.