The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is the national peak body that unites the entire trucking industry to provide a single, authoritative voice on relevant issues of national importance.  

Members of the ATA are state and sector based trucking associations, many of the nation’s largest transport enterprises and the Transport Workers Union. The membership also includes companies providing goods and services to the trucking industry.

The ATA undertakes research, consults and informs, and develops and advocates policy that aims to improve the safety, environmental record and viability of the industry. Its activities are focused in key strategic areas:

SAFETY

The ATA invests in a comprehensive road safety program, comprising three complementary parts. It develops industry Codes of Practice and safety policies and provides advice to government bodies on truck and road regulations. It manages a national, public program that educates all road users in sharing the road safely with trucks. It underpins a comprehensive, accredited industry program, TruckSafe, which establishes audited benchmarks in safety and roadworthiness for trucking operators.

ENVIRONMENT

The community expects the trucking industry to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The ATA works closely with all levels of government to ensure that emissions’ regulations and targets are realistic and effective, without undermining the viability of the industry.

The future is in new, high productivity trucks equipped with state of the art safety features, powered by fuel-miserly engines and more efficient fuel. Governments can aid enhanced efficiency by constructing higher quality, lower gradient roads.

CAREERS

The ATA is a reference point for initiatives that aim to address the future skills’ needs of the industry. As in most developed economies, Australia suffers from a shortage of truck drivers and diesel mechanics, as well as in other business support roles such as I.T. The ATA works with other bodies to develop effective ways to improve the industry’s recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce. It promotes development of an effective industry training culture to encourage professional development among new and existing employees and to enhance the industry’s capacity to meet or exceed its regulatory and other legal requirements.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

Vehicle designers, manufacturers, equipment suppliers and maintenance specialists come together at the ATA’s Industry Technical Council (ITC) meetings to exchange information and develop ideas that will make trucks safer, more efficient and easier to maintain in-service.

The ITC has an ambitious work plan that examines the full range of operational technical issues faced by truck operators including fuel quality, noise and carbon monoxide emissions; suspensions systems, axles configurations, braking systems; electrical connectors, mechanical couplings; load restraint, stability, vehicle related heavy vehicle safety issues and investigation outcomes; and relevant information technology developments.

ITC is active in development of Codes of Practice, including Heavy Vehicle Electrical Wiring Code of Practice, Australian Heavy Vehicle Visibility Voluntary Code of Practice, Heavy Vehicle Brake Code of Practice and Truck and Dog Trailer Code of Practice. 

In conjunction with the Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association it also conducts the Annual Technical Maintenance Conference, providing a forum for discussion of technical issues facing fleet operators and service personnel.  

TAXES, CHARGES and ROADS

The ATA develops policy in relation to taxes and heavy vehicle charges, particularly fuel excise and truck registration charges, to ensure the industry pays its proper share of road use charges, without threatening its viability in what is a highly competitive industry.

It advocates safe and efficient expenditure on roads and was influential in a federal government decision to increase funding for major road infrastructure projects under the AusLink program, which includes funding to local governments.