Road Freight Transport in Australia - Industry Market Research Report

Tempting freight: Despite revenue gains, climbing operating costs are driving down profit margins

A growing domestic freight task and flourishing international merchandise trade have driven industry revenue to rise at an annualised 4.0% over the five years through the end of 2022-23, to an estimated $66.1 billion. However, poor economic conditions and pandemic-related supply chain disruptions led to revenue contracting in 2020-21. Over the past two years, skyrocketing fuel costs have caused prices for road freight to swell, reducing demand in favour of rail freight, particularly for bulk freight transport. Nonetheless, non-bulk road freight services are largely price inelastic, so growth in the road freight service price has pushed up revenue. Growing fuel costs are set to lift industry revenue by an estimated 1.6% in 2022-23.

Industry operators primarily transport freight by road. The industry also includes towing services and road delivery services, excluding couriers. Mining, retail and construction firms that use in-house fleet vehicles are excluded from the industry.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.